Vacancy: Organist & Choir Director

We are seeking an Organist & Choir Director

The Parish of the Holy Trinity, East Ham is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Organist & Choir Director to lead and support the musical worship of our parish.

We are a welcoming Church of England parish in the Catholic tradition, centred on a sung Parish Eucharist each Sunday morning in our three churches.

Duties include:

• Playing the organ for the principal Sunday Parish Eucharist, primarily at St Mary Magdalene (1918 Rushworth & Dreaper organ, restored in 2020).

• Direct and accompany the parish choir at rehearsals and services; support development of the junior choristers.

• Supporting the musical life of the parish, including St Bartholomew’s and St Edmund’s.

Salary: £4,000 per annum plus fees for wedings and funerals

Informal enquiries to the Team Rector, Fr Paul or via the Parish Office 020 8470 0011

How to apply: Please send CV and covering letter to info@easthamparish.org.uk

Closing date: 31 August 2026

For full role description, see below.

ROLE DESCRIPTION: Organist & Choir Director

Parish: East Ham, Holy Trinity

Reports to: The Incumbent (or in his absence the Churchwardens)

1. Purpose of Role

To provide organ music for Sunday worship, support congregational singing through organ accompaniment at our three churches though predominantly at St Mary Magdalene’s with its 1918 Rushworth & Dreaper organ (restored in 2020), lead and nurture our amateur choir and junior choristers, and work with the Incumbent to develop music across the parish.

2. Key Responsibilities

• Sunday Services: Play the organ for the weekly Sunday morning service, including mass setting, hymns, responsorial psalms and voluntaries before and after the service. Support congregational singing through appropriate accompaniment.
• Choir Support: Accompany the amateur parish choir during the service and lead rehearsal immediately before (approx 25 mins) and following the service (approx. 50 minutes) focused on preparing music for upcoming services. Support the Associate Priest in establishing and developing the junior choristers and integrate them into Sunday worship and special services. 
• Liturgical Planning: Select hymns or advise the Incumbent regarding hymn selection as required and plan musical settings appropriate to the service.
• Administration: Maintain the church music library and report any maintenance needs regarding the organ to the Churchwardens.
• Additional Services (Principal Holy Days and Festivals)
  The Organist will provide music for the following annual services as part of their core duties:
  • Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
  • The Christmas Carol Service (normally the Sunday before Christmas).
  • Christmas Eve (Christingle Service & Midnight Mass) & Christmas Day.
  • Eve of Ascension Day or Ascension Day
• Funerals and Weddings will be paid separately, the Organist will have first refusal on playing.
• Parish music support: In a parish with three churches, working with the Incumbent to identify and develop alternative music opportunities such as psalm cantors and chorus leaders for services held in the absence of organist and choir.

3. Scope of Role

The post-holder is not responsible for:

• Strategic development of the parish’s musical life
• Managing budgets or purchasing music/equipment
• Oversight of organ restoration or long-term planning

4. Hours

This is a part-time employed position.

The role is expected to require approximately 3 hours per week. This includes 2.5 in-person hours on Sundays, plus approximately 30 mins per week for preparation time, and administration.

There is no expectation of regular midweek presence.

5. Person Specification

• Technical Skill: Proficiency in organ playing (Grade 8+ or equivalent), ability to improvise and transpose when needed, ability to support an amateur choir (adults and junior choristers) in worship, 
• Experience: Previous experience in a liturgical church setting is essential.
• Collaborative Spirit: Ability to work with volunteers of varying musical abilities and coordinate effectively with clergy.

6. Terms and Remuneration

• Salary: £4,000 per annum (Paid in equal monthly instalments)(negotiable depending on qualifications and experience).
• Additional Fees: Fees for additional rehearsals, weddings, funerals and other occasional services are payable separately in accordance with the parish's schedule of fees. The post-holder has the right of first refusal for weddings and funerals.
• Annual Leave: 6 Sundays per year (to be coordinated with the Incumbent with reasonable notice from the post-holder). The post holder is responsible for arranging suitable deputy cover, subject to agreement with the Incumbent, though may be delegated to the parish administrator upon agreement. The cost of deputies will be covered by the parish.
• Absence: In the event of illness or unavoidable absence, the post-holder should inform the Incumbent or Churchwardens as soon as possible and, where feasible, assist in arranging cover.
• Notice Period: The appointment may be terminated by either party giving one month’s written notice.
• Expenses: Reasonable, pre-agreed expenses incurred in the course of the role will be reimbursed. Travel expenses to the churches of the parish will not be reimbursed.
• Probation: The appointment will be subject to a probationary period of 3 months, during which performance and suitability will be reviewed.
• Duties: Duties may be reasonably adjusted in consultation with the post-holder, provided they remain consistent with the defined scope of this role.

7. Safer Recruitment & Compliance

The PCC is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.

• Policies: The post-holder is expected to comply with all PCC policies, including safeguarding, health & safety, and data protection.
• DBS: Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure.
• Training: The post-holder must complete mandatory Church of England Safeguarding Training (Basic, Foundation and Awareness of Domestic Abuse).
• Right to Work: Applicants must provide evidence of their legal right to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.
• References: Two professional references will be required, one of which should ideally be from a previous church appointment.