Cathedral Organist

Job Description

The Cathedral of the Incarnation, Nashville Tennessee, is seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Full-Time Cathedral Organist to join our music ministry. We are looking for an individual with advanced academic training and a passion for sacred music to enrich our Sacred Liturgies and community outreach.

The Cathedral Organist will play a pivotal role in leading congregational singing, accompanying the Cathedral Choir, providing inspiring organ voluntaries, and contributing to special musical events throughout the year. This is a unique opportunity to apply your talents with a fine instrument in a historic and acoustically rich environment.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree or higher in Organ Performance, Sacred Music, or a related field from an accredited institution, or correlative accreditation (e.g., AGO Certifications).
• Demonstrated excellence in organ performance, service playing, and improvisation.
• Familiarity with the requirements of service playing in a strong Liturgical Tradition (ideally Catholic playing experience).
• Ability to assist with choral direction on occasion.
• Strong collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively with clergy, staff, and volunteers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Employment in the Diocese of Nashville requires a background check and completion of the Diocese mandated Safe Environment Training.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the principal organist for four regular Sunday Masses (including the Saturday evening anticipated Mass), Holy Day Masses, and special liturgies.
• Accompany the Cathedral Choir during rehearsals and services.
• Collaborate with the Director of Music in planning and executing quality musical programming.
• Prepare and perform organ voluntaries and other liturgical music to a high standard.
• Coordinate all music for a significant number of weddings held in the Cathedral each year. The Organist receives an additional fee for playing at weddings or may engage other qualified organists in their place.
• The Organist may be asked to play for some funerals, at an additional fee.
• The Organist plays for Diocesan Liturgies; some are required of the position, some are optional. In either case there is an additional fee paid to the Organist.
• Participate in outreach initiatives that promote the Cathedral's music program within the wider community.
• Assist in the curation of the Cathedral's pipe organ in collaboration with the Director of Music and professional technicians.

Musical style and repertoire:

• The Liturgical repertoire of the Cathedral is fundamentally Traditional in style, consisting of:
o Organ-based congregational hymnody and Mass Ordinary Settings.
o Simpler Chant- and Plainsong-style settings, for choir and/or congregation, generally accompanied (organ).
o Choral Anthems representing a range of style periods and various levels of difficulty, with organ (if accompanied).
• The piano is used with the choir on occasion in concert repertoire.
• Weddings and Funerals may encompass a broader range of musical styles, including more-contemporary selections, and the piano might sometimes be played, at the organist's discretion.

Instruments:

• The Cathedral's 45-rank Goulding and Wood pipe organ was installed in 2023/2025. The organ comprises Great, Swell, Solo, Sanctuary and Pedal divisions. Complete, twin consoles are located in the rear Gallery and at the front of the Nave, near the Sanctuary.
• There is a Yamaha C3 grand piano in the church, and a Yamaha U1 upright in the choir rehearsal room.
• A Rodgers 960 3-manual digital organ is located in the Education Building, to which the organist has essentially unlimited access for practice or for teaching.

Salary:

• The annual salary range for this position begins at $60,000 and will ultimately be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Weddings (50+/year), Funerals (<20/year), and Diocesan Liturgies (varies) all carry additional fees and will add substantially to the organist's income, should they elect to take advantage of all available playing opportunities.
• Full Diocese of Nashville benefits are available.

Additional Information:

Please contact Jackson Schoos, Director of Music at jschoos@cathedralnashville.org for a complete job description, specifications of the organ, and an explanation of the application/audition process.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a list of references and/or two letters of recommendation and any supporting materials you wish (video or audio recordings, digital copies of service orders or concert programs, etc.) to Jackson Schoos at jschoos@cathedralnashville.org.

We look forward to welcoming a talented and committed individual to our Cathedral team.

About the Employer

Cathedral Parish and seat of the Diocese of Nashville. Located in the vibrant capital city of Tennessee, Diocese established 1837, Cathedral parish established 1914.