To find out more and to apply, please click here.
We are looking for a new Director of Music who is passionate about the role that music plays in worship and is motivated to develop, innovate, grow and inspire our choirs and congregations.
Our Benefice is a friendly, welcoming group of churches nestled on the edge of the beautiful Nidderdale National Landscape, just a few minutes from the elegant
Victorian spa town of Harrogate. We offer worship within the central choral tradition of the Church of England as part of the Diocese of Leeds. Our congregations are growing across all ages and are supported by enthusiastic volunteers and retired clergy.
We are currently shaping a new vision for the benefice, including dedicated action groups to support our expanding range of activities for all ages. A new website is also in development, and the Director of Music will play a key role in shaping the music strand to ensure it is accurate, engaging and up to date.
Welcoming all, we celebrate and affirm everyone. We are proud of our choral tradition and are keen to see our adult and junior choirs flourish and grow. We
currently have an SSA choir that sings to a good standard while welcoming singers of different abilities, recognising the importance of music for all. Our junior choir
offers young people an opportunity to learn choral skills in a supportive environment. We would like to further develop our choral and organ scholarship
programmes for young people.
The Director of Music will develop the musical life of the church in partnership with the Vicar. There are weekly Sunday Holy Communion services, and currently
Evensong twice a month at Birstwith. Our evening services are currently under review as part of the vision process in which to offer a variety of evening worship.
There are separate Monday evening choir rehearsals for the adults and juniors with regular breaks for holidays.
The Benefice has recently held a number of special additional events (concerts/services) attracting singers from across the area. We also work collaboratively with other churches across the deanery to celebrate special events.
To apply contact the Revd Scott Gardiner scott.gardiner@leeds.anglican.org, 01423 451649.
Closing date: 27 February 2026
Interviews: 7 March 2026