Oh no...Edward Higginbottom retiring

[ardcarp]

I heard him talking to Sean Rafferty on In Tune today. One can only wish EH a happy retirement from NCO. It is the end of an era. He did absolutely astonishing things with that choir and left a recording legacy ranging from the big-scale projects (St John Passion, Monteverdi Vespers, Mozart's Requiem) to popular classics which were much enjoyed by a wide public.

I am personally sad, having been amazed during my occasional visits to (what were never!) routine CEs in NCO chapel. I can remember one (probably around this time of year) when the fare included Britten's Hymn to St C as the anthem, and Giles Swayne's Magnificat...all brilliant, but done as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

The good news is that he'll be there until the end of the Summer term.

[DracoM]

MASSIVE, massive loss to the Oxford and national choir scene. #
Who on earth draws the short straw as successor?!

[Dave2002]

I agree it seems sad for us and the choir, but there is no rule which states that every musician has to continue to perform indefinitely, though some do carry on right into a more advanced age. Those musicians who really enjoy playing, and performing in public, and who are fit enough, may wish to carry on until a later opportunity to retire occurs, or other factors take over. Many musicians have done this, and are indeed still doing this.

Some may decide they would rather do other things, and why not?

Checking web sites suggests that EH is slightly older than I am, and I gave up full time work this year, which on balance has probably been a relief. Presumably retirement from the choir position does not preclude him doing other things. Let's wish him well.

[MickyD]

Very sad news - before he retires, I would dearly love EH to give us a NCO St Matthew Passion to complement the wonderful St John he did for Naxos.

[Simon Biazeck]

Who on earth draws the short straw as successor?!

Someone with a doctorate, apparently.

[Chris Watson]

They eventually get round to mentioning the choir in the 4th paragraph of the job advert.

[Simon Biazeck]

They eventually get round to mentioning the choir in the 4th paragraph of the job advert.

Indeed! Edward is a remarkable individual, clearly, with exceptional practical skills and an outstanding academic pedigree, but I wonder how many others out there are as gifted in both disciplines. It rather narrows the field, and not necessarily in a good way. I know at least one person who would be ideal for the job, academically and practically but is discouraged by this prerequisite. To be fair they do say - 'in exceptional circumstances, candidates without a doctorate will be considered, but they should be able to demonstrate equivalent research expertise and experience.' Good luck!

[Vox Humana]

They eventually get round to mentioning the choir in the 4th paragraph of the job advert.

Which is here: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AHS060/tut...ship-in-music/

It would not be appropriate to discuss hypothetical shortlists here (or anywhere else for that matter), but the outcome will be interesting to see.

[MrGongGong]

Someone with a doctorate, apparently.

Well that rules out Gareth then

[Simon Biazeck]

Well that rules out Gareth then

What a blood-curdling thought! indeed!

[Dave2002]

Which is here: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AHS060/tut...ship-in-music/

It would not be appropriate to discuss hypothetical shortlists here (or anywhere else for that matter), but the outcome will be interesting to see.

They don't want much for their money, do they? Do they provide accommodation? Any other perks?

[ardcarp]

The advert is so extraordinary, I thought it may be worth printing in full:

Tutorial Fellowship and Organist, Lectureship in Music
New College, Oxford

New College, Oxford and the Faculty of Music, the University of Oxford

from 1 September 2014

New College, Oxford, in association with The Faculty of Music in the University of Oxford, proposes to appoint a Tutorial Fellow in Music and Organist at New College, with a University Lectureship in Music, with effect from 1 September 2014, or as soon as possible thereafter. The combined University and College salary will be on a scale from £43,312 to £58,157 per annum (as at 1 August 2012). Additional allowances are provided by the College.

Applications are welcome from candidates with expertise in any period of music history or discipline of musical study, but who should be able to teach in one or more of the disciplines offered by the Faculty of Music, particularly in the areas of performance studies, historical musicology, or music theory and analysis.

Candidates will have, or be able to demonstrate the promise of, a distinguished record of scholarship and teaching in any musical field at a level appropriate to the stage of the candidate’s career. They will have, or will shortly be awarded, a doctorate. In exceptional circumstances, candidates without a doctorate will be considered, but they should be able to demonstrate equivalent research expertise and experience. The person appointed will be expected to play a full and active role in Faculty and College administration.

The successful candidate will also hold the College post of Organist, which will entail the rehearsal, administration, and overall responsibility for the Choir of New College, Oxford. Candidates will have, or be able to demonstrate the promise of, a distinguished record of performance and choral leadership at a level appropriate to the stage of their careers. The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with the College and the Headmaster of New College School in the planning and delivery of the College’s choral music.

Further particulars, including details of how to apply, can be obtained from the New College website (http://www.new.ox.ac.uk), and from the Music Faculty website (http://www.music.ox.ac.uk).

Applications must be submitted by email to the New College Tuition Office (tuition@new.ox.ac.uk) no later than 12.00noon on Tuesday 14 January 2014.

My bold highlighting. I am amused by 'delivery' of the College's choral music.

[Vox Humana]

The advert is so extraordinary

Doesn't that rather depend on which way round you are peering down the telescope? What else would one expect? If you compare the requirements with, say, a cathedral DoM's job, the advert is indeed extraordinary, but one shouldn't be making that comparison because the job is significantly different. For a tutorial fellowship at one of the world's top universities, I wouldn't have thought it out of the ordinary at all, except insofar as there is a world-class DoM's job attached. Certainly the combined requirements do set it apart.

Just one (not entirely mischievous) thought. This is a world-class job in a world-class university. In those high intellectual echelons the world is a small(ish) place. Anyone want to bet on the job going to a non-Brit?

[Magnificat]

They don't want much for their money, do they? Do they provide accommodation? Any other perks?

I should have thought that the two aspects of the job are so different that it could quite easily be split between the academic and the chapel allowing for the appointment of an outstanding church musician without a doctorate and ensure the maintenance of the reputation of the choir if the college is really bothered about this that is.

VCC

[ardcarp]

Nothing wrong with doctorates, except that it does cut down the field somewhat....more so when one considers that only Oxbroidge doctorates are recognised by Oxford and Cambridge.