Service cancelled

[JONESEY]

Hi All,

Just found out that the one guaranteed service I had a month has been cancelled - presumably as it wasn't the best attended service in the church (evensong).

Personally I loved playing for it, and the congregation and I got one very well also.

The morning services are taken up by other organists, but I do have a feeling that a vacancy is coming up in another church in the same parish, but this would be for morning services.

Advice time - do you think I should wait to be approached, or jump right in with an application?.

Thanks!
J

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha JONESEY,

If you feel that you are competent in your abilities in musically leading and guiding a service and have good rapport with others, then by all means submit your application. I have this notion that there is a lack of organists in the UK, so maybe you can have a good crack at landing a position as organist.

Cheerio,

CD

[Contratrombone64]

Hey Jonesey, that's bad luck at cancelling Evensong. One of my favourite services at Christ Church St. Laurence.

[JONESEY]

Hi CD and CT64 - well, the application e-mail is in, so I just guess it's waiting to see if they are interested or not now.

I've offered to 'audition' for anyone who is interested - thought that maybe I could play a couple of hymns and perhaps a recessional for them one Sunday to see if they like how I play.

Will keep you posted.

[Krummhorn]

Hi All,

Just found out that the one guaranteed service I had a month has been cancelled - presumably as it wasn't the best attended service in the church (evensong).

Personally I loved playing for it, and the congregation and I got one very well also.

The morning services are taken up by other organists, but I do have a feeling that a vacancy is coming up in another church in the same parish, but this would be for morning services.

Advice time - do you think I should wait to be approached, or jump right in with an application?.

Thanks!
J

Hi Jonesey,

First, my condolences on losing that one service ... there will be others, no doubt in future times to replace this loss.

About the other positions that may be opening up ... it does no harm in putting your name out there as "available" for sure. Since you seem to already have your foot in the door, so to speak, you are probably in a great position to assume a position once it becomes vacant.

Here in the US, the American Guild of Organists (of which I am a member) frowns upon actually applying for any position that is not yet actually vacant - it's our Code of Ethics here, anyway.

[JONESEY]

Hi Krummhorn,

Thanks!.
I do know from talking to the Vicar that the position is vacant, they are just working around it at the moment, hence me trying to get one service a month.
I certainly don't want to put anyone out of a job, but if there is a vacancy for one service a month to start with, I'd take that!.

The organ is electric, and the sound is really nice.
I played some music for a Wedding blessing service there a month or so back, so one of the church wardens has heard me play - fingers crossed now!.

[Krummhorn]

. . . but if there is a vacancy for one service a month to start with, I'd take that!.

That's a wonderful outlook to have for sure ...

. . . . . one of the church wardens has heard me play - fingers crossed now!.

We will also keep our fingers crossed for you

[peterharris449]

Local organist association secratary would bite your hand off im sure, they are always getting requests from churches for an organist to play for a service. What area of the uk do you live in ?

[JONESEY]

I'm in the South East, but a small update here ... it looks like it *might* be good news for me at the other church where they have a vacancy.
Will need to wait to hear some more, but it seems that I might have some regular services there, and maybe even some more responsibility.

[Krummhorn]

That's encouraging to hear, Jonesey. Here's to all the best for you

[Contratrombone64]

South East, hmmmmm, is that Ely?

[Flute'n'Pedal]

Hi Jonesey,

If you could tell your prospective employers that you're considering taking an exam, and if you could give them the name of a teacher, you might positively impress them.

LlL

[JONESEY]

Hi Flute,

If I got the other job, I'd still be playing for the same people, just at a different church.
I did tell them that I'm interested in furthering my skills and playing for a regular service and they were happy with that.

I was off the sub's bench again yesterday doing a morning service - it all helps!!!!!

[Flute'n'Pedal]

It sure does. Your qualifications are improving by the day.

[Krummhorn]

Jonesey,

Wow ... more good news from your neck of the woods! Excited for you as you get more opportunities to play.