CHOIR CO-ORDINATOR

Information for Applicants

Background
The Palestrina Choir consisting of Boys and Gentlemen and St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Girls’ Choir are the two Cathedral Choirs of the Pro-Cathedral, the Mother-Church of the Archdiocese of Dublin. (please see www.palestrinachoirdublin.com for more information).

These choirs sing at 4 liturgies per week: Choral Vespers on Tuesdays (Girls) and Fridays (Boys), Saturday Vigil Mass (Girls) and Sunday 11am Latin Mass (Palestrina Choir). They also sing at key liturgies throughout the year, in Advent and at Christmas time and in Holy Week and Easter.

The Choirs perform regularly at concerts, charity events, on media and they have a strong tradition of touring both in Ireland and abroad. The Choirs of the Pro Cathedral are directed by Blánaid Murphy.

The Pro-Cathedral is seeking a Choir Co-ordinator for each Choir or joining these roles as a Choir Co-ordinator for both choirs and to commence in September 2024. Reporting to the Cathedral Administrator and working directly with the Director and Assistant Director of the Choirs, this position is made up as a 0.3 position for St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Girls’ Choir, a 0.5 position for the Palestrina Choir, or combined as a 0.8 position. The Choir Co-ordinator will be required to work at the Pro-Cathedral during the times when the choristers are present with the capacity for remote working at other times.

All applicants will receive equal opportunity irrespective of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, ethnicity or indigenous status.

Position Description
Choir Co-ordinator(s) is a key position in the choral structure at the Pro-Cathedral, and is responsible for the administrative side of the life of the choirs. This role is in support of the work of the Choir Director and Assistant Director under the umbrella of the Pro-Cathedral.

Weekly Timetable of Rehearsals and Liturgies (during the school year):

Girls’ Choir:                                                     
Tuesdays: 2.45 to 6.45pm                     
Saturdays: 3.30 to 7.15pm                     

Palestrina Choir:
Wednesdays: 2.45 to 6.45pm
Fridays: 2.45 to 7.45pm
Sundays: 9.15 to 1.30pm

Choir Co-ordinator Duties:

• To ensure the smooth running of rehearsals: probationers, choristers, gentlemen.
  – Admitting choristers to and from rehearsals.
  – Ensuring a register is taken by the start of each rehearsal (boys and girls)
  – To follow up on any chorister not present without prior notification by checking on absencewith Parents at the start of rehearsals.
• To oversee the smooth running and care of choristers at liturgies (weekend liturgies and Vespers).
• To ensure that the highest standards of child safe-guarding and to ensure that garda vetting is up to date for all involved with the choristers
• To co-ordinate in conjunction with the Cathedral Facilities Manager regular fire-drills, staff training as needed
• To manage and be present for extra liturgies, concerts and events: to liaise with event promoters, venues, caterers
• To issue, in conjunction with the Choir Director termly time-tables and other notifications
• To keep up to date comprehensive contact details of all choir members
• Ensure payment invoices are prepared and submitted
• To co-ordinate chorister recruitment
• Oversee that posters, music lists, leaflets and other promotional materials are prepared and printed on time

Selection Criteria for position of Choir Co-ordinator(s)
You do not need to address each criterion individually. See how to apply (see below)

Essential

• A love of children and their development. 
  This includes:
  – An interest in the well-being and holistic development of the choristers.
  – a clear understanding and knowledge of current child protection policy and to ensurethat best
  practice is followed at all times.
  – Excellent administrative and IT skills
  – To be prepared go have training in first aid, use of defibrillator, fire drills, dealing withallergies
  – A clear understanding and knowledge of current child protection policies, ensuringthat best practice is followed at all times
  – An interest in the well-being and holistic development of the choristers
  – A familiarity with relevant Health and safety policies and procedures (you will berequired to have training in first aid, use of defibrillator, fire drills, dealing withallergies)
•  Inter-personal skills – this position includes regular contact with the Parent body and developing/maintaining links with Parents and former members to  nurture a sense of belonging
• To manage multiple elements at the one time, to be able to prioritise, work under pressure and deliver agreed aims
• A Proven ability to deal with difficult scenarios and issues which arise at times
• To ensure that the Pro-Cathedral and Choirs are presented in the best possible light at all times

Desirable

• An understanding of and interest in choral music

How to apply
You application must be a single PDF that includes:

• A recent C.V., including the names and contact details of two referees
• A letter of application outlining your interest in and suitability for the position, based on the selection criterion

Email your application (single pdf with your name in the file name) to Administrator of the Pro-Cathedral, Fr Kieran McDermott – kieran.mcdermott [at] dublindiocese.ie with Choir Coordinator in the subject heading. 

The deadline for this position is Friday 13 September at 5pm.

For any queries relating to this position, please email kieran.mcdermott [at] dublindiocese.ie.

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