We are currently recruiting for a Soprano Choral Scholar and an Organ Scholar for 2023 / 2024.The cathedral music department consists of the Head of Music (David Hardie), Assistant Head of Music (Ashley Wagner), separate boy and girl choristers, lay clerks, choral scholars, Voice Coach, Choir Librarians and the Organ Scholar. The Canon Precentor oversees the work of the department.Soprano Choral ScholarSalary: £4,220 p/a.Hours: 7.5 hours per weekPension: Subject to meeting the relevant criteria you will be enrolled in the Cathedral’s Pension Scheme with 8% employer contributions.Annual leave: 6 days (PRO RATA) plus bank holidays.Our Soprano Choral Scholars contribute to the provision of fine music to enhance the worshipping life of the Cathedral.Roles and responsibilitiesTo sing for the regular choral services set out below as a leader within the Girls Choir and Schola Philippi (the Cathedral’s elite chamber choir)To sing for additional services around Christmas and Easter, and on certain feasts, further details of which are available on requestTo sing for concerts and broadcastsTo sing for special services such as weddings, funerals and memorial services, for which additional fees are normally payableTo arrive at rehearsals and services punctually and able to sing all required music accurately and confidentlyTo set a good example of both musicianship and conduct to the girl choristers on a regular basis and to the boy choristers when applicable, always working in accordance with the Cathedral’s Safeguarding PolicyTo act as a supervising adult when requiredSoprano Choral Scholar full job descriptionSoprano Choral Scholar application formReturn completed application forms to recruitment@birminghamcathedral.com by Monday 17 April 2023.Shortlisted candidates to will contacted to arrange a suitable time for interviews and auditions.Organ Scholar – 2023 / 2024Salary: £6,110 p/a.Hours: 11.5 hours per week at a time to be agreed with your line manager.Line Management responsibility: To act as a choir chaperone.The Organ Scholar accompanies and occasionally directs services, plays voluntaries and recitals, supervises choristers, teaches theory and may assist in running the department.Occasionally the organ scholar will conduct Lower Voices on Fridays and may play on any day by arrangement if a colleague will be absent.Previous organ scholars include international recitalist Henry Fairs, Oliver Waterer, now Director of Music at Selby Abbey, Andrew Wyatt, now Assistant Director of Music at Truro Cathedral, as well as Ashley Wagner, our own Assistant Head of Music.The person selected for this role will:have an understanding of and sympathy for the Cathedral’s Christian life and ethoshave demonstrated ability as an accompanist and solo performerbe able to establish good working relationships with colleagues as part of a team.Organ Scholar 2023 / 2024 full job descriptionOrgan Scholar 2023 / 2024 application formReturn completed application forms to recruitment@birminghamcathedral.com by Monday 17 April 2023.Shortlisted candidates to will contacted to arrange a suitable time for interviews and auditions.
We are taking part in National Lottery Open Week this year!As a small thank you to National Lottery Players for supporting our Divine Beauty Project – we are giving ticket holders a chance to be among the first to book onto our upcoming scaffolding tours.We are extremely grateful to have received over £640,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to enable the conservation of our four beautiful stained-glass windows. This work will begin after Easter, with special tours and workshops being held throughout this year to help visitors learn more about our windows and their heritage.From 18 – 26 March 2023, National Lottery Players can register their interest for our scaffolding tours. By registering, you will be among the first to get access to booking when tours go live in a few weeks time – ahead of general release.Fill out the form below, attaching a photo or screenshot of a valid lottery ticket, and we will send you a special link before anyone else.The Divine Beauty Project will see the conservation of our four exceptional stained-glass windows, designed by Birmingham-born artist, Edward Burne-Jones. Seeing these unique treasures up close will be an inspiring experience for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.Divine Beauty is generously supported by National Lottery players, via The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
We have appointed independent conservation centre, Holy Well Glass, to complete significant restoration work on our four stained-glass windows.Around 3000 hours of work will be involved in the Divine Beauty conservation phase, the majority of which will be completed on-site. This work will include removing a substantial build-up of debris and repairing areas of cracking, failed leading and paint loss.The windows were designed by Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris. They are considered some of the most acclaimed stained-glass in the world, depicting four scenes from the life of Christ.Scaffolding will be erected after Easter and will remain in place until later this year, providing an opportunity for visitors to see this work up close from a special viewing platform. Some portions of stained-glass will be removed for cleaning and repairs to take place, but some elements of this will also be completed within the cathedral for the public to see first-hand.A range of exciting events are also planned between May and September, to enable visitors to learn about the windows, their significance, and their heritage. This includes guided tours, meet the conservator workshops and the culmination of the Divine Beauty Children’s Poetry Festival. A full programme of events will be made available as these are confirmed.In January, 3000 people attended the immersive light and sound experience, Divine Beauty at Night by Luxmuralis, which brought the windows and their history to life in a unique way.Anna Pitt, CEO at Birmingham Cathedral said: “This project has been in conception since 2014, so being able to finally start the physical conservation work is an exciting milestone. Our hope is that by Christmas, our windows will be bright, clean and preserved safely for future generations to enjoy. Holy Well Glass bring incredible expertise to undertake this historic work, and we are looking forward to working with the team over the coming months”.Jack Clare, Director at Holy Well Glass, said: “We count ourselves fortunate to work at many of the great cathedrals and churches in the UK, but this project is especially exciting for the team, conserving and restoring what is undoubtedly Edward Burne-Jones’ master work. The engagement with the community and their great pride in the cathedral, and these superb windows will be a great experience for our conservators”.Holy Well Glass will start by removing of the protective grills on the outside of the cathedral. Glass conservation, stone cleaning, masonry repairs and the construction of new protection measures will then be undertaken.Divine Beauty is generously supported by National Lottery players, via The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Cathedral staff are now working from a new office, located within the south-east corner of the building.Open-plan desk space has been created within the former Vestry, allowing the team to work more collaboratively together. The renovation will also help manage rising operating costs as we continue to strive towards ambitious net-zero targets by 2030. The project marks a significant £165,000 investment in future-proofing our building.Midland Conservation Ltd undertook the work, between June 2022 and February 2023. The company are specialists in renovating heritage and listed buildings – which has enabled the project to bring together modern-day requirements with the history of our 300 year-old church.The airy and modern space replaces three smaller rooms. Extensive rewiring has also been completed, along with the installation of an air-source heat pump to improve temperature control. In Spring 2023, secondary internal glazing will further improve insulation of the office.Anna Pitt, CEO at Birmingham Cathedral, said: “Our central location allows us to work as part of a vibrant and bustling community in the city centre. For our team to be able to work within the building, alongside out visitors, and together in one space, will make a real impact on what we can offer. Over 50 Clergy, staff and volunteers are part of our cathedral community – and this new space bring these people together – both today and for years to come.”The Dean of Birmingham, The Very Reverend Matt Thompson, blessed the office on 6 March 2023. During a short ceremony, staff gathered to dedicate the space to serving all those in the city.Further conservation on the cathedral buildingThe completion of the project comes just in time for the next phase of our major conservation project – Divine Beauty – which is due to begin this summer. Divine Beauty will see the cleaning and repairing of Birmingham Cathedral’s four world-famous stained-glass windows. Birmingham-born artist Edward Burne-Jones designed the windows nearly 150 years ago. His good friend William Morris manufactured the windows, which can be seen at the east and west ends of the cathedral. Initial investigation into their condition found extensive damage to the glazing, leadwork and paintwork. The contractor for this next phase of work will be announced shortly.
