Kay Park Parish Church

Organist and Director of Music – Information Sheet

The Organ

The three-manual Norman and Beard organ, installed in 1907, is contemporary with the building and is generally regarded as one of the finest instruments of its type in the town. Within the last decade a complete overhaul was put in hand so that, to quote the restorer, it would see us through the next fifty years.

The Choir

Kay Park Parish Church is a group of enthusiastic singers who lead the singing at the 11.00 am Sunday service. They are a committed and enthusiastic, mostly now retired. It is a mixed ability group of around 23 members. They sing an introit and Anthem at most services from late September until the end of May and take part in other events requiring choral input. At present, from mid-September until the end of May, they rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7.00pm to 8.30 pm and on Sunday mornings briefly before the 11.00am service. Other arrangements for practicing might be considered in future. The repertoire is wide and varied from Elgar to Rutter. There is a substantial library of choral music and a small fund for the purchase of music new to the choir.

Pattern of Worship

Our worship aims to include the best of music of all periods from medieval to modern, and to value choral music as a living tradition. Congregational singing is extremely important at Kay Park, and our worship is designed to enable this. We have a Roland Piano that is available for use during worship.

There is scope for the development of music in our church and in the surrounding community. This work would be paid on a pro rata basis.

Weddings and funeral services occur occasionally in the church, involvement of the organist will depend on availability of the post-holder and will be remunerated as additional services.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be based on the Scottish Federation of Organists’ Recommended Salary Scales published on the Church of Scotland Website.

Contract of Employment

This will be based on the Church of Scotland’s style of contract for employment of organists amended as appropriate by agreement with the appointee. It will include terms for paid leave of absence, normally 6 weeks, sick absence and safeguarding conditions regarding work with children and vulnerable adults.

In view of the nature of the post, the post is offered subject to the completion by you of the Church of Scotland Safeguarding Service self declaration form and the obtaining of a Scheme record in terms of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 and to both being in satisfactory terms.

Minister and other office-bearers

The Minister is responsible for worship and will choose the hymns for the services. The organist is responsible for the music aspects including choice of introits, anthems and other music sung by the choir, but should liaise with the minister over tunes to be used in hymns and suitability of anthems for seasons and themes within the church year.

Participation of young people in the musical aspects of worship

Although there are currently no formal Young Church music groups, there are good signs that children and young people in the area wish to participate in singing and playing church music. This is an area ripe for encouragement and development.

Recordings

Some services are recorded on CD and copies distributed on a listen and return basis to housebound members.

Church profile

Further information about the church and its activities can be found on our website http://kayparkparishchurch.org.uk

Applications

Further information about this post is available from Rev Fiona Maxwell, on 01563 521762, by mobile on 07507312123 or by email FMaxwell@churchofscotland.org.uk or

Mrs Janet Grant

Session Clerk

Kay Park Parish Church

London Road

KA3 7AA

Tel: 01294 213236

E: kayparkparishchurch@gmail.com

Applications for appointment accompanied by a CV and the names of two referees should be addressed to Session Clerk. Closing date for applications is 29th February 2020. Access to try out the organ can be arranged by telephoning 01294 213236