South West

Vacancy for rehearsal and concert accompanist: Somerset Voices, Taunton
Somerset Voices is a high quality chamber choir of about 30 voices, picked from many of the best choirs in the county. We are entering a new phase, as conductor Graham Caldbeck (ex Royal College of Music) has retired, and regular organist Peter King (formerly of Bath Abbey) has moved away. It has been announced that Tim Donaldson (formerly MD of the South Somerset Choral Society) will take over from Graham as Conductor, but we are now looking for an organist to accompany rehearsals and concerts.
Somerset Voices puts on two concerts a year, one in May and one in October. The rehearsal pattern is over a single weekend – Friday evening (7.30pm – 9.30pm), Saturday all day (10am-1pm, 2pm to 5pm), followed by a “dry run” on Sunday morning (11.30am to 1.30pm, dependant on the church service preceding) followed by the concert at 3pm. The concert duration is likely to be roughly 90 minutes plus an interval.
Rehearsals and concert take place in St John’s Church, Park Street, Taunton, TA1 4DG. The organ is a fine three manual Henry Willis, details of which can be found here: https://npor.org.uk/survey/N06876
Programming is standard choral “fare”, broadly based around church music and oratorios; mostly accompanied but some a capella. There is usually a requirement for an organ solo of say 5-10 minutes.
Soloists are drawn from the choir.
More details about the choir and our repertoire are available here: https://www.somersetvoices.com/
This role is likely to suit someone qualified to a high standard or with suitable equivalent experience. A fee is payable for each weekend; details available on enquiry. The appointment will be on a rolling year basis. If you would like to know more, have any queries, or are just interested in applying please contact John Broad, Chairman, by email in the first instance: broadjr@gmail.com.
Closing date for applications is 23rd June 2025. The process for choosing the best applicant will be announced in due course.