Lay Clerks - Alto, Tenor and Bass in Cambridge

Hours: approx. 10 hours per week

Salary: £5000.00 per annum plus benefits

Fixed term contract - 1 October 2026 ending 30 September 2027

Benefits include:

• Healthcare cash-plan
• 33 days of annual leave (including public holidays) (pro-rated for part time)
• Cycle-to-work scheme (following successful completion of probation)
• Parking (subject to eligibility/availability)
• College gym
• The opportunity to work in a beautiful environment and travel abroad with the choir
• Free singing lessons (worth up to £1000 p/a) with the opportunity to perform at the highest level

Applications are open for Lay Clerk positions (Alto, Tenor and Bass) in the choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. This is a fixed term contract running from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027 and reporting to the Director of Music (Precentor).

Background:

The Choir at Caius is one of the finest of its kind and its recent recordings have been released to critical acclaim. BBC Music Magazine awarded a double five-star review for its Masses, Canticles, Motets recording for Linn Records last year, and Gramophone Magazine described their 2023 recording of Philips and Dering Motets thus: marvellously well-judged direction everything seems fresh and vital evidence of sheer musical fun. Their most recent collaboration (July 2024) with the Academy of Ancient Music of Michael Haydn's Requiem was named Record of the Week by BBC Radio 3 Record Review. Tours abroad during the last year included France and Denmark (including the Copenhagen Baroque Festival), and in recent years they have visited both Sweden and Menorca. A tour to Berlin forms part of plans for this year, as well as a BBC Radio 3 broadcast of Choral Evensong and various other concerts within the UK.

The role:

This post is designed to be developmental, aimed particularly at early career development, with unique opportunities and support for those interested in a career in singing and/or music. The post holder sings at regular services as part of the College Choir (3 per week during term time) and participates in all rehearsals, concerts, recordings, broadcasts and other events including outside term - as required. The role of Lay Clerk at Caius aims to be a stepping stone into the professional choral world, where the post holder gains invaluable experience from working at the highest level with a leading mixed choir and director, whilst benefitting from regular free tuition from world-class vocal coaches, travel abroad and high-profile events. They will also have the opportunity to mentor younger members of the choir, be involved in smaller and more informal consort groups, and fully immerse themselves in the musical life of the College and Music Society. The posts are designed so that the Lay Clerk have the time and flexibility to develop their solo skills and take on other work outside designated choir time. Accommodation is not provided.

Additional benefits include:

• Free regular singing lessons with one of the Colleges singing teachers (up to the value of £1000pa with either Kate Symonds-Joy or David Lowe).
• Expensed travel and accommodation for all concerts, UK and foreign tours, recordings and broadcasts, plus fees where appropriate.
• Three evening meals per week during term in College after services.
• Bookable facilities in both the Colleges two sites for private practice and lessons.

Key requirements:

Lay Clerks will be required to sing in the College Choir for three evening services per week during the eight weeks of full term (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday), with an additional rehearsal on Wednesday evening (6.05-7pm). The Lay Clerks will also be required to sing at special services such as Solemn Eucharist for Ash Wednesday, Requiem for All Souls and Carol Services, and occasional Sunday morning services (e.g. Remembrance Sunday). The post-holders will therefore need to be available during full term (3 x 8 weeks) plus up to 4 weeks during the vacations for other Choir activities such as tours, broadcasts and recordings. In a normal year, a foreign tour and recording will take place during the first part of July, with a BBC broadcast often taking place in either April or September. Successful candidates will have appropriate vocal quality and technique, experience of high-level choral singing, and fluent sight-reading skills. They will also be flexible in their approach to music-making and be good team players.

For more information about the choir at Caius and details of the full weekly timetable can be found on our website.

The salary for this fixed term appointment is £5000 per annum plus benefits.

Please note: A DBS check is required for this role.

To view the full job description and apply, please click the 'apply' button.

Please note: we advise using a desktop to complete your application form, and Chrome or Edge as the recommended browser. The closing date for applications is 12:00 (BST) on Thursday 30 April 2026. You are encouraged to make an early application as the vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received. For your application to be considered it must be complete and include an up-to-date CV and details of 2 referees, one of whom should have detailed knowledge of your ability in relation to the requirements of the role.

The College Gonville & Caius College is one of the largest colleges in the University of Cambridge. It is an educational charity, and its mission is to provide a place of education, religion, learning and research, in conjunction with a University that is recognised internationally as being of the highest standard. The College is an academic community comprising some 530 undergraduate students, 250 graduate students, and 110 Fellows (lecturers, professors and other senior academic researchers and teachers) and almost 200 staff. It plays a significant role throughout the University. Our students come from all over the world and our undergraduates study all the subjects offered in the University. Our postgraduates play a vital role in the research activities of the wider University. Our Fellows have globally renowned research expertise ranging from Ancient History to Cosmology and are all recognised as leaders in their fields. The students who graduate from the College form an alumni group of approximately 11,000 individuals. They have achieved recognition in many walks of life and are resident in all continents.

Further Information Equality of opportunity; the College actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and we encourage applications from all sections of society and in particular, from people who may be under-represented in our community. Entry into a position with the College will be determined by the application of criteria related to the duties of the post. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. During the application process, candidates are requested to complete the Equality & Diversity section as part of our Equal Opportunities Policy and monitoring process. The contents of this form will not be disclosed to the selection or interview panels, and all applicant data is managed in accordance with our data protection policy. The College has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. In applying for this role, you will provide personal data which the College will process in accordance with its data protection obligations and its Data Protection Policy.