Hours per week: 30
Position Summary:
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh, NC is seeking an Church Music Scholar for 2024-2025 season. The Church Music Scholar will continue to develop mastery in service playing and keyboard skills: hymn playing, choral accompaniment, improvisation, transposition, figured bass, and sight reading, as well as to develop organ playing repertory.
The Church Music Scholar will benefit from a year absorbing the weekly liturgical life of a large, vibrant, bi-lingual (Spanish-English) Catholic Cathedral, and be equipped for vocational work as a professional church musician. In this role you will develop and practice organizational and administrative skills while participating in the active operation of how a large and diverse music program functions.
Salary is commensurate with experience (up to $40,000).
Key responsibilities
- Assist in accompanying and providing music for Sunday morning Masses, weekday, Cathedral & Diocesan Liturgies, and Sacred Music Series as assigned. Observe and/or sing in the choirs when not playing.
- Attend, sing in, accompany, and conduct (as assigned) Wednesday rehearsals of the Chorister program and Wednesday rehearsals of the Cathedral Choir.
- Collaborative mentoring of service playing, choral accompaniment, improvisation, and keyboard skills with the Cathedral Organist on a regular basis.
- Study related topics in sacred music with the Cathedral Organist & Director of Music (such as conducting, rehearsal techniques, voice, early music techniques, composition and arranging).
- Thoroughly prepare all assigned accompaniments, service music, and voluntaries for Saturday 5:00 pm Vigil Mass, and/or Sunday morning 7:00 am Mass, 9:45am Cathedral Choir Rehearsal, and 10:30 am Mass in a supportive, hands- on, practical environment by maintaining a habit of regular practice on the Cathedral’s Fisk, Op. 147.
- Play for weddings, funerals, and other liturgies in Sacred Heart Church or Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral as assigned.
- Participate fully in the broader liturgical life of the Cathedral community with musicians and clergy by attending weekly staff meetings and worship planning meetings.
- Assist with the oversight in maintenance and care of the choir library.
- Assist with the oversight and maintenance of the Cathedral instruments.
- Assist with administrative support for weddings, funerals, programs, worship aids, and any other administrative functions as assigned.
- Present a full-length recital on the Cathedral organ.
- Interaction and collaboration with Spanish-speaking musical groups for various bi-lingual liturgies.
- Work in collaboration with and report to the Cathedral Organist and lead musician of the Cathedral with the understanding that all Cathedral employees are responsible to the Rector.
Minimum Requirements:
- Candidates should have at least one college degree, with a preference for degrees in organ performance and/or commensurate professional certifications from the American Guild of Organists or Royal College of Organists and possess a strong desire for continued professional work as a church musician.
- 1 - 3 years of previous experience in choral accompaniment and choral directing.
- Candidates will have acquired a necessary level of proficiency in public performance of organ repertoire.
- Employment is contingent upon applicant satisfactorily passing criminal background and reference checks
- Must complete diocese-sponsored Safe Environment Training
Preferred Qualifications:
- Candidates will have core computer skills, and ability to work fluently with Google Drive, MS Office, MS Publisher, Excel, Sheets, and other appropriate software that will enable quick and accurate completion of organizational and administrative tasks.
- Candidate should have experience with bi-lingual (Spanish-English) liturgies. It will be advantageous to be bi-lingual.
- Proficient sight-reading skills.
- Prior experience directing choirs.
- Possess good oral and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Commitment to further professional development.
- Experience and fluent skill with foundational computer software programs.
- Experience and/or willingness to work in a vibrant bi-lingual environment.
- Respect of Catholic doctrine and knowledge of Catholic liturgy is essential.
Position Start Date: June 15, 2024