Unholy disorder at Wells Cathedral
NewsWe have reported before on unconstitutional goings-on in the selection of a director of music at Wells Cathedral.
The next act just got worse. Here’s an insider’s report:
A year after the fiasco surrounding Wells’ last attempt to appoint a DoM, last Thursday and Friday four candidates were interviewed [names redacted]. The candidates had full choir rehearsals, chorister only morning rehearsals, alongside the normal interviews.
From the choir and chorister rehearsals, the unanimous opinion of the choristers and lay clerks was that [one man, name redacted by his request] was the standout candidate by a long way, in a league of his own.
After the rehearsals, the panel asked the choir if the candidates could command the respect of the choir, and make the music at Wells flourish. The answer for [redacted name] was a resounding yes, and the answer for the other three candidates was a resounding no.
Although still not officially announced, it has come to people’s attention down the grapevine that [a different person] has accepted the offer of DoM at Wells Cathedral
Evidently, all is not Wells.
Whatever the situation at Wells, it is highly inappropriate (and unprofessional in the extreme) for an “insider” to make, and for you to publish, such comments about candidates in what should be a confidential process.
I totally agree
It’s called transparency..as you anon. Your opinion could be biased
I have to say that this is the most dismal and unfair reporting I’ve read here. Even if you have a bias, Cathedral music needs to be supported and celebrated in these days of dwindling funding and congregations, not kicked into oblivion. Please use your platform more wisely.
At least they’ve redacted the candidates names now; originally publishing them was deeply unfair to those people.
If this item is tried it needs exposure as it all sounds very very fishy
People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones Kate Coldrick. At least the OP hasn’t been arrested for stalking a minor.
If I were the Director of Music at Llandaff, Tewkesbury or Bury St Edmunds, I would be taking Wells Cathedral to court for defamation of character. You might have redacted the names but thousands of people will have already read the article as was originally posted.
There is nothing defamatory about beung named for losing an audition, even less so when it appears to be rigged.
NL is right here. This wouldn’t in my opinion constitute defamation; however, those candidates initially named may want to take legal advice from an employment law firm regarding the privacy, confidence and data protection requirements of Wells as a prospective employer and data controller.
Would you care to back up this contention that it appears to be rigged? That’s quite a bold claim, so I’m sure many here will be keen to hear about the motive, the evidence, and about any interest that your source should be declaring.
Totally agree RE: Norman Lebrecht’s suggestion here: embarrassing that a journalist should write that. Nothing here even remotely suggests it’s been rigged? One anonymous ‘insider’ claims that the lay clerks preferred a different candidate. How is that even a suggestion of ‘rigging’?!
Even if one candidate was the unanimous choice of the choir, their opinion (as valuable as it is) is only one part of what should be a rigorous (and usually complex) process which usually lasts at least 2 days involving numerous interviews, meetings, meet and greet sessions/lunches etc. All these parts (including the musical elements) are often carefully scored (sometimes with different weightings etc) in order to determine the best fitting candidate overall. References would also influence a final decision. So there could be any number of reasons (which would probably need to remain confidential) why the choir’s first choice might not be appointed. And what if the successful candidate was offered the post and turned it down?
With respect, this is just as bad. They do not deserve to be named.
Sadly, nothing about this process was confidential. Those shortlisted names were doing the rounds 10 days ago and all of this had been known to the church music community since Tuesday. That’s not to agree or disagree with the original post, but to note that this has been pretty public knowledge amongst colleagues.
Well at the DoM of Music at St Edmundsbury have got the job it would seem unlikely he would consider that ‘defamation of character’!
That place is toxic beyond words. Why anyone would want this poisoned chalice is beyond me. Dreadful mess.
…..and how well do you know Wells Cathedral? There is nothing remotely ‘toxic’ about the place!
When the clergy won’t listen, this is what happens. Sounds like the place needs a total clear out, from the top down.
I wouldn’t be so certain about that. There were two music advisors on this appointment which is unusual. But the really crazy thing is that the new Dean of wells was announced 10 days ago. Why on earth would chapter not wait until the new Dean can appoint his own DoM? It is nuts.
Yes there were two, although one of dubious quality.
Please see my comment.
Firstly do you really think the new dean was not consulted befoe any decision was taken? Secondly to get a new DoM in place in time for the autumn term requires more notice than waiting until mid June when the new dean arrives. Nothing remotely ‘nuts’ about the process. Maybe a lack of appreciation of the practicalities by making such comments?
Whichever “insider” wrote this is clearly a despicable person. Did they stop for one second to think how this would read to the person who was offered the job? How utterly nasty. I hope they are pleased with themselves. Perhaps they should listen to the bible readings that they hear every day more carefully.
The appointment was very suspicious…
It probably came from one person with the agreement of colleagues, desperate at being ignored. How NL chooses to use it is up to him. But there’s nothing despicable about sharing the information. Sometimes these things need to be put out there.
Where is old Bob when you need him – the voice of (in)sanity?
Shoddy, unprofessional journalism. A recruitment process needs to be confidential. And while the views of the choir (who report to the organist) are important they are not the only stakeholders and should not be the ultimate arbiters.
For those relatively late to the party. Norman originally published three of the four candidate names, including the name of the apparent successful candidate. The late redactions don’t excuse him.
Norman – you owe all four candidates, the choir and the clergy a grovelling apology.
The difficulty here is that the appointee is the youngest and least experienced of the candidates. Wells clearly needs leadership, wisdom and experience after such a tumultuous period.
It certainly does; I don’t think anyone would disagree with that. However, publicly naming candidates, who entered into the recruitment process in good faith, as unsuitable is inexcusable. In any other profession such a flagrant breach of confidentiality would rightly result in disciplinary action. How can anyone apply for such a position knowing that, if the “insider” disapproves, in all likelihood they will be named and shamed by Mr Lebrecht?
So true !
There is plenty of leadership, wisdom and experience at Wells if you would care to come a find out!
That stone structure looks more diabolical than holy.
It looks to me like a version of the Christian ‘fish’ symbol turned on its side with the Crucifix seen in the upper portion. But it also just may be the way the architects and builders decided to have ‘fun’ in how they wanted the arch to appear to be framing the Crucifix.(??)
I believe it was an elegant solution to a structural weakness added in the fourteenth century, when the tower was found to be in danger of collapsing.
The “scissor arches,” as they are known, were developed and installed in order to keep the crossing tower from collapsing under its own weight.
In case you did not know it those scissor arches were built 700 years ago to stop the central tower collapsing and are regarded today as one of the most stunning features of Wells. Rather than anything fishlike about their design they more resemble St Andrew’s cross which is appropriate as he is the patron saint!
The fact that a Church of England recruitment panel is about to make an appointment based on factors other than merit and qualifications for the position will come as no surprise. Paula Vennells almost became Bishop of London.
If it is indeed correct that the youngest and most inexperienced person has been appointed, it’ll be a further kick in the teeth for Alexander Hamilton, who, by all accounts, has lead the department well for the last two years, but who wasn’t thought deserving of a place on the shortlist in the first round of interviews.
I have various friends who have worked at Wells in the last decade, and from what I gather, it seems like incumbent musicians are not treated well.
The place is an almighty mess. The choir built up a fine reputation under Malcolm Archer, and continued to operate at a high level under Matthew Owens. After the chaos of the last few years, it’s not unreasonable that members of the choir are distraught at another bizarre decision.
Not to say that Wells haven’t treated him horrifically, but I suspect Alex Hamilton is going to be JUST fine.
Fact or hearsay? Seems more of the latter!
Last time I checked, it was the job of the Dean & Chapter and their highly experienced musical advisors, to interview and audition candidates for such jobs, and make appointments. Not lay clerks or choristers. Even if members of the choir were disappointed with the result (which I am led to believe is not actually even the case here), this is not newsworthy and the article is an embarrassment to SlippedDisc. The normal proper process has been followed and an informed decision has been made. If [different person] has indeed been appointed then I hope he is able to get on with the job without letting this un-sourced creepy article cause him disturbance.
Well said!
Did you expect them to hire a white cis male? Come on, don’t you know diversity, equity and inclusion rules the day. There’s no regard for talent and ability anymore.
At the risk of responding genuinely to a bait comment: do you think they… DIDN’T hire a white cis male…?
I’m not sure why anyone would be surprised by an appointment of someone who was not the expected one. Are we to forget London and the appointment of someone who hadn’t even applied?
Mr james: care to explain why one of the DoM’s quality is ‘dubious’? As far as I’m aware they are both of high musical quality and have decades of experience working with difficult priests and difficult finances.
If you say so. Many in the world of church music would disagree. One is excellent. The other – well I remember the distress of another cathedral organist at the prospect of said person getting too close to comfort in the process for another job. I can’t say more than that. But personal experience would suggest that such expertise can be superficial.
personal experience. so you’ve worked with/for them? i presume in order to make this kind of accusation you must’ve done. and why can’t you say more than that? you’ve already stated a click bait opinion, but are you now scared to reveal who you (hiding behind an internet name) have a low opinion of? maybe have a think about why that may be.
Typical clergy appointments. In recent events, a similar situation happened at Westminster Abbey, where the weakest person was appointed even after a panel of well-regarded and outstanding advisors had put another person forward. Ultimately, The Dean went against the advisors and appointed the person who suited his agenda.
The Director of Music is not a ‘clergy appointment’!
Please explain what you mean
Cathedrals really must consider requiring music advisors to recuse themselves from hiring committees when their former organ scholars or assistant organists are amongst the candidates.
The Oxbridge lock seems only to be tightening, especially for ‘prestige’ appointments. Young organists (and those who train them) seem increasingly fearful that if they didn’t spend three adolescent years at two or three of the ‘right’ colleges—not universities: constituent colleges!—whose #1s are powerful enough to anoint and appoint them, they don’t stand a chance of making it. They leave church music to work in the City, and the whole cathedral music ‘ecosystem’ is poorer for it.
There are so many recent appointments that have gone just this way, in some cases so brazenly that one would think all involved would be embarrassed. And perhaps it’s ever been thus… but that doesn’t mean it ought to continue.
to be fair, has either musical advisor in this scenario been a previous boss to the appointed person? agree in previous situations though!
Fair! I couldn’t say. Sorry: I think that little rant was months in the making.
https://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/archives/46837079
Much like the appointment for the director of music of Westminster Abbey, the panel recommended an applicant. Still, David, the Dean, appointed another person that best suited his agenda.