Choral Scholar

Southwark Cathedral is looking to appoint three talented and enthusiastic musicians at the start of their musical careers for this year-long scholarship, which provides a wonderful opportunity to gain experience singing in a busy Cathedral Choir, the flagship ensemble of our choral foundation. They will receive mentorship from the Director of Music, Cathedral Organist and Lay Clerks, and opportunities may be available to participate in other areas of the Cathedral’s musical life, such as recitals and partnership work with other organisations.

Choir Context

The Choir sings six services a week during term-time, and is made up of girl and boy choristers (generally singing separately), choral scholars and six adult, professional Lay Clerks. Its repertoire spans plainchant and medieval music to contemporary works (many of which were commissioned by the Cathedral), and offers outstanding music to the wide array of congregants, visitors, and members of the wider Diocese who come to worship at the Cathedral each year.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Singing services alongside the six professional Lay Clerks as full members of the Cathedral Choir. This includes four Evensongs and one Eucharist each week, plus a variety of special services as dictated by the liturgical year, and as listed on the termly schedule.
• For the right candidate, there will be the chance to gain experience working with the probationary choristers, teaching them music theory, and assisting with the newly-formed Junior Choir.
• Additionally, Choral Scholars may be asked on occasion to sing for special services, for which an extra fee is payable.

Key Dates

• Closing date: 11.59pm on Tuesday, June 16th.
• Interviews and auditions are planned for Thursday, June 25th.

Introduction to the Cathedral

Southwark Cathedral has been a place of Christian worship for over 1400 years. Now it stands on the vibrant and exciting regenerated south bank of the Thames surrounded by cultural venues such as Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market, the offices of major companies as well as schools and diverse residential communities. It is an inclusive Christian community that offers a welcome to all. The Cathedral’s mission, ministry and musical tradition are core to its life as a Cathedral and a parish church serving the community.

It also relies on the valuable financial contribution made by its income generating activities such as its shop, café, conference rooms, corporate events and concerts. It is a very busy place, attracting 200,000 visitors a year to the Cathedral, its churchyard and medieval herb garden. The Cathedral relies on a small but dedicated team to be inclusive and welcoming to all.

Southwark Cathedral is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer. We believe in promoting and building a diverse and inclusive team, and workplace, culture and governance structures that are welcoming to and respectful of all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people whatever their ethnicity, background, age, disability, long term condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Southwark Cathedral is committed to a culture of safeguarding, especially for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The Cathedral has adopted the Church of England policy statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church (2017)’; Safeguarding Learning and Development (2024) and the Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance (2021). Every member of our team is recruited according to these policies and is required to complete safeguarding training. This role requires an Enhanced DBS check with checks against the child-barring lists.