A lay clerk , also known as a lay vicar , is a term used in the United Kingdom to describe a male singer who sings in a cathedral choir or a choir belonging to a college of one of the large traditional universities . A lay clerk is usually paid for the job . A lay clerk , also known as a lay vicar , song man or a vicar choral , is a professional adult singer ( or an accomplished amateur ) in a Cathedral or ( occasionally ) collegiate choir in the United Kingdom .