Director of Music in the Parish of Winchcombe

Working Hours: circa 10 – 12 hours per week on average

Location: The Parish of Winchcombe

Salary & Holidays:

Salary: £8,000 – £10,000 depending on experience and qualifications, + Fees.

Pension: Subject to confirmation of appointment post a 3-month probationary period, pension payments (via NEST) will be at the current legislated rate.

Applications

Closing Date: Midday Monday 13 July 2026.

Requirement: Complete the application form linked below, and send as an email to ku.gro.hsirapebmochcniw@Wynnepdver (subject Line “Director of Music”) or post to:

Revd Capt David Penny

St Peter’s Centre

Gloucester Street

WINCHCOMBE GL54 5LU

Interviews: The provisional date for interviews is likely to be 2 or 3 August 2026.

Role Description

The Parish of Winchcombe is looking for a Director of Music to support the delivery of worship across the three churches in the parish of Winchcombe and to enable a high quality of music.

The ideal candidate would be a confident musician, ideally an organist or good pianist, who would encourage others to make the most of their musical abilities. As well as developing and nurturing the robed choir, the next director of music would be someone who can see the potential for encouraging young musicians through our links with the schools and uniformed groups, as well as developing the delivery of traditional and contemporary music.

The predominant style of worship at St. Peter’s is traditional Choral Anglican, with a less formal service on the first Sunday of the month; Christ Church is generally less formal but they like a good sing, St. Michaels BCP and Hymns A&MR (each church has an organ). However they are developing different styles of worship across the parish and are therefore looking for someone who can harness and encourage the talents of the congregation and community to give a wider range of musical opportunities.

The parish has on average 10 weddings/blessing and 18 funerals a year for which an additional fee is paid and the Director of Music would have first refusal for all occasional offices.

The person appointed would have the full support of the Incumbent, Ministry and Leadership Teams, and the congregations.

Specific tasks includes:

• To support the worshipping life of the church through the delivery of music on Sundays, feast days, and special occasions

• Lead mid week and pre-service choir practices

• To encourage choristers to make the most of their musical abilities

• Nurture and develop the choir

• Build links in the community to encourage new adult and junior choristers

• Work with the incumbent in planning services

• Develop the annual Winchcombe Music Festival

• Choir administration (eg communications with choristers, management of music licenses etc)

• Management of a generous budget

• Arrange and oversee necessary maintenance of our 3 organs and piano

• Make the best use of other musicians across the parish

Skills

This appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Required Skills:

• An excellent organist or pianist

• A CRCO diploma or higher (or equivalent in another instrument)

• Ability to work with others

• Good leadership skills

• Ability to work as a team member

• Ability to enable others to grow as musicians

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of leading a choir

• Knowledge of the place of music in Christian liturgy

• Experience of coaching musicians

• Experience of budgetary responsibility

The successful candidate will be supportive of the Christian faith, with some experience in leading the delivery of music in a paid or voluntary capacity.

Line Management and Support

The successful candidate will be directly supported and managed by the incumbent, and supported more generally in a collegiate way by the whole ministry team. After a six month probationary period an annual review will be carried out by the incumbent, and informal support offered as required.

 If you would like to visit the parish or be shown around the facilities of the Churches please contact Revd Capt. David Penny to arrange a mutually convenient time on: 01242 468650.