Director of Music – The Dever Benefice

We know that music has the ability to change lives. We also know that music has the ability to bring people to church and to faith, and that music has the ability to elevate our worship, praise and thanksgiving to God.

The Dever Benefice, located just north of the City of Winchester has discerned that it wants to invest in a Director of Music – but this is no ordinary post. Using the Parable of the Rich Fool as our guide, they have sought to respond in faith by giving away what they gather in for the benefit of others.

As a result, they are looking for a gifted, dynamic and well qualified musician with a passion for music education, church music (across a range of traditions) and community singing who will:

• Teach music in the two Primary Schools within the Benefice and establish a choir or other choral music group in each school, supporting them to sing at school concerts, some church services and community events
• Establish and co-ordinate a programme of visiting choirs and worship bands for each church across the Benefice (3 services per year per church). In this you will work in partnership with the Rector and churchwardens to identify the appropriate service and style of music
• Establish, encourage and lead singers and other musicians from within the community to form a Benefice Choir to support services throughout the year
• Play the organ and/or piano for two services per month during term time
  

In order to have the best opportunity of succeeding in this role, it is required that the person appointed would have studied music to at least undergraduate level and be highly proficient in organ and/or piano. They will also be confident and experienced in choral and instrumental leadership (teaching and conducting) and ideally (but not essentially) be a qualified teacher.

If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact Revd Dr Robert Rees on 07590909811 or at robert@petermarshconsulting.com.

If this is a role that you have been discerning and you are excited by the possibilities that it offers, then please submit a CV and cover letter to the Rector using the above email by noon on 7 June 2024.