Music at Wakefield Cathedral

The present organ was constructed in three stages:

• 1905 - Abbot and Smith (using a small amount of earlier pipework)
• 1951 - John Compton (much new pipework except in Swell and Choir)
• 1985 - Wood of Huddersfield (much new upperwork, some rearrangement)

The action is electro-pneumatic. Unusually, all the pipework except the Choir Organ and the Tuba is enclosed in swell boxes.

Compton's work was based on the use of unit chests of the sort pioneered by Robert Hope-Jones. At Wakefield, the Great, Solo, Bombarde and Pedal divisions retain these unit chests, one for each rank, with substantial extension. The Swell and Choir divisions are on conventional chests, without extension.

Wind pressures are relatively high, especially for the Great and Solo reeds - approximately 10" and 15" respectively. The Pedal 'Contrabass' - also on high pressure is in fact a 'Diaphone' with wooden tubes.

The large number of low-pitched stops reflects the particular acoustic of Wakefield Cathedral, where the lower pitches do not carry well through the building. This is particularly true when there is a large congregation.

While Wakefield Cathedral Organ is unmistakably English in character, well-suited to accompanying both choir and congregation, it is also remarkably versatile for recital work. We often feel it sounds better in the building than its designs suggests it should! This is largely due to the sensitive rebuilding by Mr David Wood in 1985.

There have been only four organists at Wakefield since the church became a cathedral in 1888. The present Organist and Director of Music, Mr Jonathan Bielby, has been in post since 1970. He is the longest serving organist in any English Cathedral.

Organ Scholarship

Funded by the University of Huddersfield and Wakefield Cathedral

Wakefield Cathedral has a flourishing choral tradition and maintains the highest standards of liturgical and musical performance. The Music Department, University of Huddersfield provides splendid facilities and training for students who wish to achieve excellence as organists. Together we are now seeking to appoint an Organ Scholar for the academic year 2007 -2008 to serve at both institutions.

The post is suitable for those who are applying for entry to either undergraduate or postgraduate courses within the Department of Music and Music Technology at this University. Applicants must satisfy the entry requirements for such courses in addition to competing for the scholarship.

Value of the award: £2000 p.a.

Criteria:

• A minimum entry standard of ABSM Grade 8 Organ (or equivalent)
• An enthusiasm for playing the organ and accompanying choral music

Unlike some organ scholarships, this one offers hands-on, real playing experience with three choral services per week to accompany at the Cathedral.

Duties of the Organ Scholar

• Cathedral : see full details below

• University: there are opportunities for solo playing, accompanying and continuo work, playing in concerts and at the University’s degree ceremonies, as directed by the University Organist.
  

Excellent Facilities

• University: Huddersfield has some of the best facilities for organ study within the university sector. Organ students have regular access to the highly acclaimed 3 manual (42 stops) tracker action Concert Organ by Wood of Huddersfield in St. Paul’s Hall. In addition there are three practise organs and a chamber organ. Through the generosity of a private benefactor the Recital Hall of the new Music Building (completion 2008) will contain a 2 manual (26 stops) tracker action instrument that is a free copy of a late 17/early 18th century Dutch/German organ. The excellence of these organ facilities is recognised by The Royal College of Organists who use this University as the northern centre for their diploma examinations. The Music Department also has 3 harpsichords.
  
• Cathedral: has a magnificent 5 manual organ – Abbot & Smith (1905), John Compton (1951), Wood of Huddersfield (1984-5). It has recently acquired a chamber organ of 3 stops (1997).

Applications
A letter of application, full CV and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two referees should be sent as soon as possible to Jonathan Bielby, The Cathedral, Northgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1HG (Tel: 01924-373923).

Closing date for applications: post currently not available.

Interviews and Auditions: post currently not available.

For further details contact either, the University Organist, Dr. Graham Cummings or the Cathedral Director of Music, Jonathan Bielby

Cathedral Duties
Choral Services normally include the following:

• Sunday
  • 9.15 am Parish Eucharist usually Girls
  • 11.00 am Solemn Eucharist usually Boys and Men
  • 6.30 pm Evensong usually Boys and Men (4.00 pm in winter)
• Tuesday 5.00 pm Evensong usually Boys
• Wednesday 6.00 pm Evensong usually Girls
• Thursday 6.30 pm Evensong usually Boys and Men

The duties of the Organ Scholar would ideally include:

• Sunday accompany the 9.15 am Parish Eucharist.
• Tuesday accompany the 4.15 pm Boys’ practice and play for Evensong at 5 pm.
  • Attend the weekly Music Department meeting at 5.30 pm.
• Wednesday practise music for Evensong.
  • Accompany the 5.15 pm Girls’ practice.

The Organ Scholar will be expected to book a weekly practice slot in the Cathedral Diary. He or she may be asked to play for some additional services. When these involve outside organisations there is usually a fee attached.

The Organ Scholar will be invited to contribute to the annual organ recital series. There may be a possibility of some organ teaching in connection with the Diocesan Organ Training Scheme.

During the course of the year, the Organ Scholar will receive expert tuition in accompaniment skills from the Assistant Director of Music. There may be an opportunity to do some conducting as the year progresses.

Holidays must usually be taken when the choir is absent and agreed in consultation with the Director of Music and Canon Precentor.

Because of the regular contact with children, the successful applicant (like all Cathedral staff) must secure an enhanced disclosure certificate from the Criminal Records Bureau.

The honorarium for the Organ Scholarship is currently £2000. There could be an additional £500 per annum if this post is combined with a Lay Clerkship.

The list of previous Organ Scholars is impressive:
1998 – 1999 Christopher McElroy
Left to become Organ Scholar at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
Now Assistant Director of Music, Leeds Cathedral
1999 - 2001 Keith Brown
Left to become Organist & Assistant Director of Music at Barnard Castle School
2001 - 2003 Stephen Power
Left to become Temporary Assistant Organist & Alto Lay Clerk at Ripon Cathedral
2003 - 2005 Christopher Brown
Wishes to concentrate on his undergraduate final year organ studies. Continues as Tenor Lay Clerk
2005-2006 Edward Taylor
Also Edward Boyle Organ Scholar at Leeds University & Leeds Parish Church
Left to become organ scholar at Ely Cathedral

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Organ Specifications