Lay Clerk - Alto

• Health care cash plan
• 33 days of annual holiday (prorated, inc. Public Holidays)
• Cycle-to-work scheme (following successful completion of probation)
• College gym
• Car parking (subject to availability / eligibility)
• The opportunity to work in a beautiful environment and travel abroad with the choir
• Free singing lessons (worth up to £1000 p/a) with the opportunity to perform at the highest level

Applications are open for a Lay Clerk position (Alto) in the choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. This is a fixed term contract running from 28 September 2026 to 27 September 2027 and reporting to the Director of Music (Precentor).

Background:

The Choir at Caius is one of the finest of its kind and its recent recordings have been released to critical acclaim. BBC Music Magazine awarded a double five-star review for its Masses, Canticles, Motets recording for Linn Records last year, and Gramophone Magazine described their 2023 recording of Philips and Dering Motets thus: marvellously well-judged directioneverything seems fresh and vitalevidence of sheer musical fun. Their most recent collaboration (July 2024) with the Academy of Ancient Music of Michael Haydns Requiem was named Record of the Week by BBC Radio 3 Record Review.

Tours abroad during the last year included France and Denmark (including the Copenhagen Baroque Festival), and in recent years they have visited both Sweden and Menorca. A tour to Berlin forms part of plans for this year, as well as a BBC Radio 3 broadcast of Choral Evensong and various other concerts within the UK.

The role:

This post is designed to be developmental, aimed particularly at early career development, with unique opportunities and support for those interested in a career in singing and/or music. The post holder sings at regular services as part of the College Choir (3 per week during term time) and participates in all rehearsals, concerts, recordings, broadcasts and other events including outside term - as required. The role of Lay Clerk at Caius aims to be a stepping stone into the professional choral world, where the post holder gains invaluable experience from working at the highest level with a leading mixed choir and director, whilst benefitting from regular free tuition from world-class vocal coaches, travel abroad and high-profile events. They will also have the opportunity to mentor younger members of the choir, be involved in smaller and more informal consort groups, and fully immerse themselves in the musical life of the College and Music Society. The posts are designed so that the Lay Clerk have the time and flexibility to develop their solo skills and take on other work outside designated choir time. Accommodation is not provided.

Additional benefits include:

• free regular singing lessons with one of the Colleges singing teachers (up to the value of £1000pa with either Kate Symonds-Joy or David Lowe).
• expensed travel and accommodation for all concerts, UK and foreign tours, recordings and broadcasts, plus fees where appropriate.
• three evening meals per week during term in College after services.
• bookable facilities in both the Colleges two sites for private practice and lessons.

Key requirements:

Lay Clerks will be required to sing in the College Choir for three evening services per week during the eight weeks of full term (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday), with an additional rehearsal on Wednesday evening (6.05-7pm). The full weekly schedule can be found on our website.

The Lay Clerks will also be required to sing at special services such as Solemn Eucharist for Ash Wednesday, Requiem for All Souls and Carol Services, and occasional Sunday morning services (e.g. Remembrance Sunday). The post-holders will therefore need to be available during full term (3 x 8 weeks) plus up to 4 weeks during the vacations for other Choir activities such as tours, broadcasts and recordings. In a normal year, a foreign tour and recording will take place during the first part of July, with a BBC broadcast often taking place in either April or September.

Successful candidates will have appropriate vocal quality and technique, experience of high-level choral singing, and fluent sight-reading skills. They will also be flexible in their approach to music-making and be good team players.

For more information about the choir at Caius, please visit Gonville & Caius website.

The salary for this fixed term appointment is £5,175per annum plus benefits.

Please note: A DBS check is required for this role.

Previous applicants need not re-apply.

The Application Process

To view the full job description and apply, please click the 'apply' button.

• Please note: we advise using adesktop to complete your application form, and Chrome or Edge as therecommended browser.
• The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon BSTon Monday 30 June 2026.
• You are encouraged to make an early application as the vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received.
• For yourapplicationto be considered it must be complete and include an up-to-date CV, covering letter, and details of 2 referees, one of whom should have detailed knowledge of yourability in relation to the requirements of the role.