Choir Accompanist
Choir Accompanist
Canbury Singers
Canbury Singers (registered charity 1182027) is a community based choir in Kingston-Upon-Thames. Formed in 2007, as part of the Canbury Arts Trust, by a small group of locals who just wanted to sing, the choir has grown into a 40 strong group of enthusiastic and dedicated singers with a good reputation. Canbury Singers is an affiliated member of Making Music.
We are a friendly, fun loving choir without an audition process comprising a range of members from sight readers to those re-starting singing after some years. We meet on a Monday night (8:15pm-9.45pm) and look to perform two concerts a year together with a few charity and Christmas events including two socials. Members have an eclectic musical interest ranging from choral, religious and secular to jazz and stage musical genres, taking in African-American spirituals, European folk songs and sea shanties along the way. The choir is managed by an active committee who work closely with their Musical Director, Bethan Williams, on repertoire and performance planning.
Responsibilities of the Accompanist
The accompanist would work closely with the Musical Director, Bethan Williams, and assist Bethan in rehearsals by accompanying the choir and taking sectionals when required. They are expected to attend all rehearsals, and to coordinate deputies when necessary. The successful candidate may be invited to take part in Canbury Singers concerts as and when needed, with renumeration at the standard rate (please see below).
Person specification
The successful candidate will be an excellent musician who can demonstrate:
• Accompaniment from piano reduction and standard accompaniment parts proficiently in a sympathetic manner
• An excellent standard of sight-reading
• Support for the choir by score-reading vocal parts
• Harmonisation of warm-up exercises and vocal parts
• The ability to work as part of a team in a flexible manner
• The ability to take sectional rehearsals
• The ability to take rehearsals in the event of absence of the Musical Director
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well with the choir and the committee
Pay
Remuneration is £70 for each ninety-minute rehearsal, at a rate of £46.67 per hour (subject to review in 2026)
Application
To express your interest and for further details please contact our choir secretary at sec@canburysingers.org. Applications, to be received by the 31st January, should be made by CV with a covering letter saying why you would like to work with Canbury Singers.
The committee will shortlist applicants shortly after the application deadline. Full details of requirements for audition will be communicated to successful candidates.
We are looking for the accompanist to start during February 2026