We are seeking a Director of Music for this lively and musical parish |
'A strong musical tradition: music lies at the heart of our worship'
Thank you for your interest in the post of Director of Music at the Parish of Almondbury with Farnley Tyas. We are delighted that you are considering this opportunity.
Our parish has a strong musical tradition, and music lies at the heart of our worship. At All Hallows' Church, we are blessed with a robed SATB choir affiliated to the RSCM, offering a rich and varied choral tradition. St Lucius' Church benefits from the ministry of an excellent organist who is enthusiastic and creative, and who works for the good of music across the parish.
We are committed to offering the highest quality of music as a part of our worship. We see our music ministry as a vital means of enriching services and growing congregations. Recently, four singers have joined the All Hallows' choir, and there is exciting potential to build on this.
We are seeking a musician of the highest calibre to join us as Director of Music, someone whose inspiring organ playing will enhance our worship, and who has a passion for encouraging and developing volunteer singers, both young and young-at-heart. The parish tradition, particularly at All Hallows', is eucharistic, with sung communion settings and anthems forming a central part of our services. On the first Sunday of each month, we enjoy Choral Evensong at All Hallows' or St Lucius', with the latter kindly hosting supper, an occasion that is both musically and socially rewarding.
If you would like to have a confidential conversation, please do not hesitate to contact me by email – [email protected] – or telephone 07432 210375. I would be very pleased to hear from you. With my prayers and every good wish,
Reverend Rob Savage, Rector of the Parish of Almondbury with Farnley Tyas.
Our parish has a strong musical tradition, and music lies at the heart of our worship. At All Hallows' Church, we are blessed with a robed SATB choir affiliated to the RSCM, offering a rich and varied choral tradition. St Lucius' Church benefits from the ministry of an excellent organist who is enthusiastic and creative, and who works for the good of music across the parish.
We are committed to offering the highest quality of music as a part of our worship. We see our music ministry as a vital means of enriching services and growing congregations. Recently, four singers have joined the All Hallows' choir, and there is exciting potential to build on this.
We are seeking a musician of the highest calibre to join us as Director of Music, someone whose inspiring organ playing will enhance our worship, and who has a passion for encouraging and developing volunteer singers, both young and young-at-heart. The parish tradition, particularly at All Hallows', is eucharistic, with sung communion settings and anthems forming a central part of our services. On the first Sunday of each month, we enjoy Choral Evensong at All Hallows' or St Lucius', with the latter kindly hosting supper, an occasion that is both musically and socially rewarding.
If you would like to have a confidential conversation, please do not hesitate to contact me by email – [email protected] – or telephone 07432 210375. I would be very pleased to hear from you. With my prayers and every good wish,
Reverend Rob Savage, Rector of the Parish of Almondbury with Farnley Tyas.
Our Parish: A vibrant and welcoming community
Almondbury and Farnley Tyas together offer a peaceful, semi-rural setting alongside excellent access to Huddersfield and neighbouring villages. Strong road links connect us to the wider Kirklees area, and Huddersfield railway station provides frequent services to Leeds, Manchester and beyond.
Community life is well supported. A sense of belonging is nurtured through local groups, societies and events and families are drawn to the area by its friendly atmosphere. There are four primary schools and a nearby secondary school. Clergy are involved in school life, including serving as governors. Congregation members help to sustain these partnerships.
The Parish is served by three churches: All Hallows', Almondbury; St Michael and St Helen's on Fleminghouse Lane; and St Lucius’ in Farnley Tyas. Sunday worship takes place in each. Ministry with children and families is a focus of our mission. Children’s activities run alongside Sunday worship, and family services include Messy Church. This work is seen as key to the witness of the parish - and music is believed to have potential to enrich this important ministry.
Community life is well supported. A sense of belonging is nurtured through local groups, societies and events and families are drawn to the area by its friendly atmosphere. There are four primary schools and a nearby secondary school. Clergy are involved in school life, including serving as governors. Congregation members help to sustain these partnerships.
The Parish is served by three churches: All Hallows', Almondbury; St Michael and St Helen's on Fleminghouse Lane; and St Lucius’ in Farnley Tyas. Sunday worship takes place in each. Ministry with children and families is a focus of our mission. Children’s activities run alongside Sunday worship, and family services include Messy Church. This work is seen as key to the witness of the parish - and music is believed to have potential to enrich this important ministry.
A Parish where music is deeply valued
Music, deeply valued, lies at the heart of our worship. It plays a vital role in drawing people into church life, for regular services and for much-loved special occasions. In particular, the Carol and Christingle services often fill our churches to capacity. The All Hallows' choir is experienced, committed and relishes the opportunity to explore a wide range of repertoire.
Alongside the Sunday morning service, we hold occasional evening services. They include monthly Choral Evensong, Taizé and Healing Prayer with the Laying on of Hands, which are greatly appreciated. A number of weddings and funerals requiring an organist are held each year at All Hallows'. From time to time, an organist is also requested for baptisms, usually on Sunday afternoons. Fees are payable for these services.
Our adult choir, comprising ten dedicated members, rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm to 8.30pm under the leadership of the Rector. We aspire with excitement to establish a junior choir soon, drawing children from the local primary schools. To support this vision, we are seeking funding to enable the new Director of Music to spend additional time in schools, establishing the junior choir. Initially, this initiative is expected to run over two-years, allowing it to flourish.
Once the children have settled into choir life, they will be admitted by the Rector during a main Sunday service and presented with their surplice, marking a special and memorable milestone. They will then follow the RSCM Voices for Life scheme, with the Director of Music guiding and inspiring the junior choristers as they work towards achieving their next medal and ribbon.
Alongside the Sunday morning service, we hold occasional evening services. They include monthly Choral Evensong, Taizé and Healing Prayer with the Laying on of Hands, which are greatly appreciated. A number of weddings and funerals requiring an organist are held each year at All Hallows'. From time to time, an organist is also requested for baptisms, usually on Sunday afternoons. Fees are payable for these services.
Our adult choir, comprising ten dedicated members, rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm to 8.30pm under the leadership of the Rector. We aspire with excitement to establish a junior choir soon, drawing children from the local primary schools. To support this vision, we are seeking funding to enable the new Director of Music to spend additional time in schools, establishing the junior choir. Initially, this initiative is expected to run over two-years, allowing it to flourish.
Once the children have settled into choir life, they will be admitted by the Rector during a main Sunday service and presented with their surplice, marking a special and memorable milestone. They will then follow the RSCM Voices for Life scheme, with the Director of Music guiding and inspiring the junior choristers as they work towards achieving their next medal and ribbon.
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Musical Instruments of the Parish
Choir and Great organ pipes at All Hallows'
We are fortunate to enjoy a range of musical instruments across our three churches, all of which are in good working order and maintained to a high standard. Music plays a vital role in our worship, and we take great pride in the quality and care of the instruments entrusted to us.
All Hallows' is home to a fine Abbot and Smith organ, rebuilt in 1990 by David Wood of Huddersfield. This superb instrument continues to serve our worship faithfully, and details of its history can be found here: npor.org.uk/survey/R01917
In addition, All Hallows has an upright piano and an electronic piano, which are used regularly for concerts and rehearsals. Our choir library is relatively well stocked with a selection of standard choral repertoire spanning the liturgical year, and the Parish is happy to support the acquisition of additional music as needed.
St Lucius’ houses a two-manual, mechanical action Conacher pipe organ of 13 stops, also under the care of Wood Pipe Organ Builders, and an electronic piano. The organ has been restored in recent years and continues to be a valued asset in worship. Details: https://npor.org.uk/survey/N02625
St Michael and St Helen’s Church is equipped with a suitable upright piano and a basic electronic organ, both of which are used to support worship. When a musician is unavailable, the church makes use of high-quality pre-recorded hymn accompaniments to ensure music remains an integral part of services. Across the Parish, these instruments are used regularly to enrich and enhance our worship, and we are committed to maintaining them well so that music can continue to flourish in our church life.
All Hallows' is home to a fine Abbot and Smith organ, rebuilt in 1990 by David Wood of Huddersfield. This superb instrument continues to serve our worship faithfully, and details of its history can be found here: npor.org.uk/survey/R01917
In addition, All Hallows has an upright piano and an electronic piano, which are used regularly for concerts and rehearsals. Our choir library is relatively well stocked with a selection of standard choral repertoire spanning the liturgical year, and the Parish is happy to support the acquisition of additional music as needed.
St Lucius’ houses a two-manual, mechanical action Conacher pipe organ of 13 stops, also under the care of Wood Pipe Organ Builders, and an electronic piano. The organ has been restored in recent years and continues to be a valued asset in worship. Details: https://npor.org.uk/survey/N02625
St Michael and St Helen’s Church is equipped with a suitable upright piano and a basic electronic organ, both of which are used to support worship. When a musician is unavailable, the church makes use of high-quality pre-recorded hymn accompaniments to ensure music remains an integral part of services. Across the Parish, these instruments are used regularly to enrich and enhance our worship, and we are committed to maintaining them well so that music can continue to flourish in our church life.
Organ builder Malcom Spink tests the Farnley organ following restoration
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A young assistant at St Lucius'
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Former assistant organist John Foster at All Hallows'
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Director of Music – Roles and Responsibilities
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Safeguarding
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Terms and Conditions
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How to Apply
- Write a cover letter, detailing your reasons for applying for this position, and what you could bring to the Parish.
- Fill out the attached application form, at the foot of this page.
- Fill out the attached Church of England Confidential Declaration Form
- Submit the names and contact details of two referees, one of which should be from a musician of professional standing
Applications will be accepted by email to the Rev Rob Savage [email protected]
The closing date for receipt of applications will be 2pm on Monday 16th February 2026.
Shortlisting of candidates will take place on Tuesday 17th February 2026
The Interview Process
Interviews will be held in the week beginning 23rd February 2026 in the Parish Almondbury with Farnley Tyas. They will include the following elements:
- Choir Practice: Candidates should prepare to take a 20-minute rehearsal with a small number of KS2 children from the local school. This should include a time of vocal warm up before teaching them a piece of the candidates’ choice that could be sung at the school Easter service.
- Organ Skills: Candidates should prepare a recital of no longer than 15 minutes to present to the interview panel. The recital should include two pieces in contrasting styles. The candidate would also be expected to play two hymns, one traditional and one more contemporary. The organ skills will also include sight reading of a hymn and some improvisation.
- Formal Interview: There will be a formal interview. The panel will include the Rev Rob Savage (Rector), a Churchwarden, Robert Cockroft (organist) and a member of the PCC.
- A further person will be in attendance at the interviews as an advisor on SaferRecruitment.
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