Music Ministries

Full-time.  Serve as principal organist/pianist for the Cathedral.  Assist the director in providing musical leadership for weekend liturgies, weekly school liturgies, holydays, funerals, sacramental liturgies, some civic holidays, and as accompanist for choirs and cantors.  Weddings contracted separately.  Organ: Randall Dyer and Assoc., III/44 (2012).  Must have experience in Roman Catholic liturgy.  Bachelor’s degree in organ (preferred)/piano/music and/or AGO certification required.  Communication, organizational, and collaborative skills.  Must be available for Christmas Eve and Day liturgies and the entire Holy Week and Sacred Paschal Triduum.  Salary commensurate with education and experience.  Benefits included.  Start time negotiable, hopefully by mid-November.  Interviews/auditions to be held September 12, 13, & 14.  Send cover letter, résumé, and references by August 22, 2023 to Robert Whitaker, Director of Music, [email protected]. 

 


General assignment: To assist the Director of Music in the effective and efficient administration of the Cathedral Music Ministry Program.

Musical Responsibilities

1. Assist the Director in providing music for the following (see note below):
   1. Five (5) weekend Masses.  Substitutes will be engaged to cover vacation time according to diocesan policy.
   2. Holy days, currently 1 vigil Mass and 3 Masses on the day itself

                            i.    Assumption (August 14/15)
                            ii.   All Saints (October 31/November 1)
                            iii.  Immaculate Conception (December 7/8)
                            iv.  Mary, Mother of God (December 31/January 1)

1. 3. Four (4) civic holidays (currently one Mass each day at 10:00am)

                        i.    Memorial Day
                        ii.   Independence Day
                        iii.  Labor Day
                        iv.  Thanksgiving

1. 4. Christmas Eve and Day (December 24/25)
   5. Holy Week and the Sacred Paschal Triduum: Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday
   6. Annual Bereavement Ministry Mass (All Souls’ Day, November 2)
   7. Advent and Lenten reconciliation services (currently one each season)
   8. First Holy Communion: one school, one CCD
   9. Confirmation, currently scheduled at a regular Saturday 5:00pm vigil Mass
   10. Funerals
   11. Other liturgies as scheduled throughout the year

NOTE:  While the Organist/Assistant Director of Music has the responsibility for accompanying the bulk of scheduled Masses, the Director of Music also shares in that responsibility on weekends, holy days, and holidays.  The Director and Asst. Director  are both required to be present together at: 1. The 9:00am Sunday Mass from the Sunday following Labor Day through Corpus Christi Sunday, particularly for Christ the King Sunday, 2. Christmas Midnight Mass, and 3. The entire Sacred Paschal Triduum.
 

2. Accompany the Cathedral Choir at Mass (Sunday 9:00am) and at rehearsal (Tuesday 7:00pm.
3. Direct and accompany:
   1. 11:30am Sunday Choir
   2. Resurrection Choir (funerals)
4. Rehearse with cantors as needed
5. Plan, play, and direct music for once weekly Christ the King School liturgies, currently on Thursdays during the school year at 8:00am
   1. Select appropriate liturgical music in consultation with Cathedral Director of Music
   2. Schedule rehearsals with student cantors in conjunction with the coordinating teacher and/or school music teacher
   3. Work with the school music teacher in identifying and selecting students with sufficient ability to train as cantors for school Masses
6. Schedule time for personal practice at the organ/piano

Administrative Responsibilities

1. Organize and maintain the music library
2. Operate and help maintain the sound system in the church
3. Assist in the administration of the Cathedral Concert Series
4. Assist in the oversight of maintenance and tuning of the organ and pianos
5. Assist in the oversight/repair/maintenance of music equipment: stands, mics, cables, etc.
6. Meet with couples to assist in the planning of music for weddings
7. Attend weekly staff meetings
8. Attend meetings with Priests or Director of Music as needed
9. Attend conferences/seminars/workshops as appropriate and available.  Costs covered by the Music Ministry budget.
10. Maintain membership in professional organizations, e.g. National Association of Pastoral Musicians, American Guild of Organists, etc.  Costs covered by the Music Ministry budget.

The Cathedral Music Ministry consists of parishioners from all walks of life, from diverse backgrounds, old and young, of all musical abilities, both amateur and professional. 
 
The common thread binding these musicians together is their love of music and sharing their gift in service to the community for the worship of God.
 
Cathedral music ministers come together once weekly to learn and perfect music for the Sunday liturgies and come early before their scheduled liturgies.  By doing this, these dedicated volunteers give of their time and talents to lead the community in sung prayer to the greater honor and glory of God.

There are many ways you may participate in the Cathedral Music Ministry.  Just take a look...

Cathedral Choir
Director:  Robert Whitaker
Accompanist:  Gabrielle Manion
Rehearses Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30pm
Sings Sundays at the 9:00am liturgy.

Children's Choir(s)
Director: Robert Whitaker
Currrently on break
Rehearses TBA
Sings weekend masses as scheduled, about once monthly

11:30am Choir
Director:  Asst. Director of Music
Rehearses as scheduled
Sings Sundays at the 11:30am liturgy.
 
Resurrection Choir
Director:  Asst. Director of Music
This dedicated group of singers provides ministry through music for funerals and rehearses as needed.

Cantor Ministry
Auditioned singers who read music and prepare the liturgy’s music ahead of time lead the assembly in sung prayer.
 
Instrumentalists
Musicians who read music and can prepare music ahead of time provide interest and color to the hymns and songs as well as provide instrumental music for prelude and during the preparation of gifts at liturgy.
 
Cathedral Concert Series
For musicians and non-musicians alike, helpers are always needed for distributing programs, tidying the church before and after concerts, and other tasks as may be needed that create a welcome and comfortable atmosphere for the audience and performers.