Open Position: Choir Director
General Description
SJB seeks a choir director to lead and develop the parish choral program. Our choir currently consists of a small number of interested volunteers, but we are a parish with strong congregational singing and great choral potential. In other words, we want someone who is excited about building a choir from the ground up, who can see the beauty of our patrimony and find ways to develop its expression. This can be either a part-time of a full-time position depending on the needs and abilities of the applicant.
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The Choir Director should ideally be a practicing Catholic. He or she will report directly to the Pastor but will necessarily work closely with the parish organist.
Essential Responsibilities
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Recruiting choir members (including potential hired section leaders)
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Planning suitable choral repertoire
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Running regular choir rehearsals and training amateur singers in choral technique
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Directing the choir at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days
Other possible responsibilities
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Developing a children’s choir/schola
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Developing additional ensembles (e.g. men’s or women’s schola)
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Evensong and other regular offices
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Assisting the parish in other areas (as a small parish we are open to creative solutions)
Essential skills & Experience
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Appreciation for and/or desire to learn the Ordinariate/Anglican/English choral tradition
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Ability to sing and cantor with a clean, uncluttered tone
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Ability to recruit, train, and direct both volunteer and professional singers with the full range of choral technique
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Understanding of the basic principles and norms of sacred music in the Roman Rite; experience with or the desire to learn the specific norms and traditions of Divine Worship
Desirable Skills & Experience
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Experience singing or directing in the English choral tradition
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Proficiency with organ accompaniment and improvisation or the willingness to learn
Compensation
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$25,000-$35,000 part-time