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Choral Graduate (Alto or Tenor)

Job details
Posting date: 19 May 2025
Salary: £5,000.00 per year, pro rata
Hours: Part time
Closing date: 18 June 2025
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Remote working: On-site only
Company: Gonville & Caius College
Job type: Contract
Job reference: CG0525

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Summary

The Role
Applications are being welcomed for the new position of Choral Graduate at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge (Alto or Tenor) on a 1-year fixed term contract, reporting to the Director of Music (Precentor). The Choir at Caius is one of the finest of its kind and its recent recordings have been released to critical acclaim.

Tours abroad during this year include 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 2026, as do two BBC Radio 3 broadcasts and various other concerts within the UK.

This new 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 and participates in all rehearsals, concerts, recordings, BBC broadcasts and other events – including outside term - as required. The role of Choral Graduate 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. Some free meals are available after services, and the post is designed so that the Choral Graduate will have the time and flexibility to develop their solo skills and take on other work outside designated choir time.

Choral Graduates 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 rehearsals on Monday and Wednesday evening (6.05-7pm). The full weekly schedule can be found here: https://www.gonvilleandcaiuschoir.com/weekly-timetable
The Choral Graduates 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. 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.

Successful candidates will have appropriate vocal quality and technique, along with fluent sight-reading skills. 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.

Accommodation is not provided, however post holders will receive expensed travel and accommodation for all concerts, tours, recordings and broadcasts, plus fees where appropriate. Other benefits include free singing lessons with one of the College’s singing teachers (up to 7 per term) and some free meals after services.

For more information about the choir and weekly timetable, please visit https://www.gonvilleandcaiuschoir.com/

The salary for this one-year fixed term appointment is £5000.


Why work at Caius?
Benefits include:
• Healthcare cash-plan
• 33 days of annual leave (including public holidays) (pro-rated for part time)
• Cycle-to-work scheme (following successful completion of probation)
• Parking (subject to availability)
• College gym
• Lunch on site with some free meals
• Free singing lessons (worth up to £1000 p/a) with the opportunity to perform at the highest level


The College
Gonville & Caius College is one of the largest colleges in the University of Cambridge. It is an educational charity, and its mission is to provide a place of education, religion, learning and research, in conjunction with a University that is recognised internationally as being of the highest standard.

The College is an academic community comprising some 530 undergraduate students, 250 graduate students, and 110 Fellows (lecturers, professors and other senior academic researchers and teachers) and almost 200 staff. It plays a significant role throughout the University.


The Application Process
For further information and to register and apply, please click the ‘apply’ button.

• Please note: we advise using a desktop to complete your application form, and Chrome or Edge as the recommended browser.
• The closing date for applications is 12 noon BST on Friday 20 June 2025.
• You are encouraged to make an early application as the vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received.
• Your application must be complete and include an up to date CV and details of 2 referees.
• For additional information please contact the HR Administrator via email at careers@cai.cam.ac.uk.

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