Petros Singers, West London’s leading amateur chamber choir, seeks to appoint a new accompanist from September 2023.
The choir performs a wide variety of music – from baroque to contemporary, large-scale works to exquisite miniatures – placing particular emphasis on vibrant and communicative singing.
Since 2016 our musical director has been Richard Bannan, under whom we have performed Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Handel’s Belshazzar and Rachmaninov’s All Night Vigil, alongside a wide variety of smaller sacred and secular choral works. The choir celebrates its 40th Anniversary in Summer 2023, when we will perform Jonathan Dove’s The Passing of the Year as well as a new commission, written especially for the choir, by Kerensa Briggs.
The choir rehearses at St Peter’s Church, Hammersmith (Ravenscourt Park/Stamford Brook stations) on Tuesday evenings, 8:00pm-9:45pm, throughout the regular school year. The accompanist is expected to attend all these rehearsals, supporting the choir members as the Musical Director requires.
In addition, subject to separate agreement, the successful applicant may be invited to accompany the choir in concert – whether as a pianist, organist or continuo player. The choir usually performs three concerts a year on a Saturday evening, with a rehearsal during the afternoon.
The accompanist may also be invited by the Musical Director to take Tuesday evening rehearsals and sectionals. They will also be expected to accompany occasional re-audition sessions which generally take place during the day on a Saturday.
Essential skills
- High-level pianist
- Excellent sight-reader
- Excellent score reader
Desirable skills
- High-level organist
- High-level continuo player
- Ability to direct a choral rehearsal or sectional
Fees: £90 per rehearsal; additional engagements will be subject to negotiation.
Auditions: These will be held on Tuesday evenings May 23rd and 30th in Hammersmith. Repertoire and exact details will be distributed ahead of time. Please indicate in your application if you’re unavailable on either of these dates; if you’re unavailable on both dates, we will attempt to find an alternative.
To apply, please email newacc@petrossingers.org including a full CV and covering letter.
Closing date: Midday on Monday May 1st.