Countertenor Lay Clerk (Job Ref: 838-MUS)
£30,316.10 per year | Permanent | Part-time 13.5 hours per week | Based in London, SW1P | Closing date 12 Noon, Monday 26 th January | First Round auditions: In person, 10 and 11 February 2026, Second Round auditions and interview: In person, 25 and 26 February 2026
Diocese of Westminster Rewards and Benefits Summary 2025
Countertenor Job Description 2026
Westminster Cathedral, largest and the most important Roman Catholic church in England and Wales, is one of London’s three historic professional choral foundations, alongside Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral. We are seeking an exceptional musician to join our internationally acclaimed choir as a Countertenor Lay Clerk.
About the Choir
Our choir is celebrated for its daily liturgical singing, high-profile recordings, broadcasts, and international tours. Ten professional Lay Clerks sing alongside our talented boy choristers, who are boarders at the Westminster Cathedral Choir School.
As part of this small, elite team, you will contribute to the spiritual and musical life of the Cathedral by performing in daily services, major feasts, concerts, and special occasions.
What We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from experienced choral singers who:
- Are outstanding musicians with excellent sight-reading skills
- Have a strong command of Gregorian chant and the classical polyphonic repertoire
- Are sensitive, organised, professional, and aligned with the mission of Westminster Cathedral
- Are prepared to sing at a wide range of liturgical and concert events, including key feasts such as Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter
Additional details
The salary for this role is currently £30,316.10, which is reviewed annually. Special services, broadcasts, concerts, tours and recordings are subject to additional fees. The salary and terms permit for certain services to be livestreamed.
There are two days off per week, one of which is generally fixed and the other flexible. From time to time the choir may be required to sing on a day normally deemed a day off. A day off in lieu may be accrued if a Lay Clerk is prevented from being able to take two days off by such a schedule change. Such changes may only be requested with a notice period of six weeks.
Overtime accrues in blocks of 15 minutes wherever a service, event or session needs to be extended.
Holiday is taken outside of term-times. Term-times are as follows:
- The first Sunday of September until Christmas Day, with a six-day break in October
- The vigil of Epiphany* until Easter Day
- The Thursday following Low Sunday until the Sunday after the final Sunday of the chorister term (usually the 2nd or 3rd Sunday in July)
*when Epiphany or its transferal falls on a Sunday, then term begins on the Sunday.
It is accepted that you will undertake additional paid work or employment for other employers or organisations.
In the case of a national event taking place in Westminster Cathedral at short notice, you may be asked to return from overseas venues and, if necessary, curtail other work engagements. In the event of travel expenses being incurred, these will be reimbursed.
Why Join Us?
You will be part of a close-knit and supportive professional team maintaining a centuries-old musical tradition of excellence. The Cathedral offers a deeply rewarding artistic and spiritual environment where your talents will enrich the worship of countless visitors and parishioners.
As a diocese, we are guided by values of Competence, Reliability, Honesty, Perseverance, and Love. We seek to reflect the truth, justice, and compassion at the heart of Catholic social teaching in all we do.