An ideal opportunity for a gap-year or postgraduate student to experience all aspects of cathedral music in a unique setting. Details for the academic year 2009-10.

Details from:
Dept of Liturgy & Music, Salisbury Cathedral
33 The Close, Salisbury, Wilts SP1 2EJ
Tel: 01722 555125
E-mail: litmus@salcath.co.uk

Closing date for applicants is Monday 10 November 2008 with auditions on Monday 8 December 2008.

David Halls, the Cathedral's Director of Music, writes:
"The organ scholar is a full and important member of a friendly team who will see at first hand cathedral music making of the highest quality. Whether or not you are considering a career in church music, this is a wonderful opportunity for a talented, hard working and organised young musician. If you would like to discuss at further length what the position involves please telephone me on: 01722 555 125."

Simon Jacobs, Organ Scholar 2005-2006, describes his experiences:

Life as Organ Scholar at Salisbury Cathedral
by Simon Jacobs

Whether you're planning to take a gap year between school and university, or have recently graduated, the Organ Scholarship at Salisbury is a wonderful opportunity to gain experience in the field of cathedral music. The Cathedral and its surroundings are famous for so many things: the tallest spire and largest Close in the country; the first British cathedral, in 1991, to establish a girls' choir alongside the boys'; and a superb Father Willis organ of 1876. Even from day to day, the magnificence of the great Gothic cathedral towering above the wind-swept verdure of the churchyard never ceases to enthral; this truly is a place where architecture and beauty cannot fail to impact upon the music which is made.

Salisbury is by no means just a "page-turning" organ scholarship; the Organ Scholar plays for a minimum of two services per week, as well as other events such as funerals and Christmas carol services, of which there are a multitude. There is also an important place for pre-service music at Salisbury Cathedral, as well as final voluntaries, and the Organ Scholar extensively contributes to these areas. Highlights of the year include the Jenkinson Organ Recital, which is given by the Scholar - a prestigious event which forms part of the Cathedral's Summer Organ Recital series; and concert tours abroad. Importantly - and unlike many other cathedral organ scholarships - the Scholar has the opportunity to conduct the choir on a regular basis, and notably does so at two of the highest-profile events of the year: the famous Advent carol service, "Darkness to Light", and the Christmas Carol Service.

Salisbury Cathedral has both a boys' and a girls' choir, and both sing an exactly equal number of services and concerts throughout the year. They sing separately (with the same group of six Lay Vicars), but occasionally come together on large Feast Days and for some concerts. As groups, the boys and the girls each require slightly different treatment in rehearsals - for example, where the boys might be better motivated by a firm and regimented approach, the girls generally respond better to a more empathetic and relaxed atmosphere. This is a fascinating and challenging aspect of the job, and one quickly begins to develop effective strategies for working with the choristers (sometimes through trial and error!), and how best to keep them motivated and enthusiastic in rehearsals. Indeed, the Organ Scholar takes at least one morning chorister practice per week, and assists in the training of the probationers twice a week.

In addition to the Organ Scholar's extensive Cathedral duties, a significant part of the job revolves around Salisbury Cathedral School, where the choristers are educated. The Scholar supervises the pupils' thrice-daily instrumental practices, and is responsible for taking chorister theory sessions once a week. There are also opportunities for the accompaniment of Associated Board Examinations, drama rehearsals and various school ensembles; perhaps even a little bit of classroom teaching. The Cathedral School is very friendly and relaxed, and the children are happy and well-motivated; it is an ideal environment for gaining experience in working with children, which is crucial to anyone embarking upon a career in Cathedral Music.

Salisbury Cathedral, as a place of music, worship and education, would amount to nothing if it weren't for the people who work there, and it has to be said that in each and every department, there is a great sense of teamwork and cameraderie. This is certainly the case in the Department of Liturgy and Music, and the Organ Scholar is part of a team of three, with David Halls, Director of Music, and Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Music. Within this musical team, there is no bullying or abuse of power; rather, it is a regime of encouragement and shared responsibility, and the Organ Scholar is always made to feel valued, with his/her ability employed to the fullest extent. Indeed, from day one, the job begins in earnest, and it should certainly not be construed as an opportunity to come and relax for a year! You will be busy, but the rewards are great and the experience gained is invaluable. You will also have a lot of fun, and many laughs along the way. Most importantly of all, though, you will have spent a year at one of Britain's foremost Cathedrals, absorbing and making the best music of your life so far.