Primary Accompanist

Job Description

Job Title: Primary Accompanist
Reports To: Director of Liturgical Music
Employment Status: Part-Time / Hourly
Location: Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, Jasper, GA
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Position Summary:
The Primary Accompanist serves an essential role in the musical life of the parish by supporting the Church's liturgical worship through the accompaniment of Sacred Music in fidelity to the Roman Catholic Church's liturgical norms and tradition. This includes a special emphasis on Gregorian Chant, sacred polyphony, and hymnody rooted in the Roman Missal and Church documents such as Sacrosanctum Concilium, Musicam Sacram, and Tra le Sollecitudini. The accompanist works closely with the Director of Liturgical Music to ensure the liturgy is reverent, beautiful, and oriented toward the glory of God.
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Responsibilities:
• Provide organ or appropriate keyboard accompaniment for:
o Weekend Masses
o Holy Days of Obligation and major liturgical feasts (e.g., Triduum, Christmas, Easter)
o Weekly choir rehearsals
o Occasional funerals, weddings, and other liturgical events as needed
• Accompany chant-based liturgical music, including:
o Source and Summit (Propers for English Masses)
o Canta la Misa (Propers for Spanish Masses)
o Gregorian Chant (Ordinary and Proper of the Mass)
o Simple and solemn tones from the Roman Missal
o Sacred polyphony and traditional Latin hymns
• Assist in preparing and supporting congregational singing and choral music in both Latin and English, especially music that is consistent with the Roman Rite and Church tradition.
• Collaborate with the Director of Liturgical Music to select repertoire that aligns with the liturgical calendar and the Church's vision for sacred music such as preludes and communion meditation selections.
• Respect and promote the primacy of chant and the organ in Roman Catholic worship, as prescribed by Church teaching.
• Attend scheduled rehearsals, liturgies, and planning meetings in a punctual and prepared manner.
• Support a prayerful, reverent atmosphere that encourages the faithful's active participation through sacred silence, noble simplicity, and musical excellence.
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Qualifications:
• Strong proficiency in organ, piano, and/or keyboard, with experience in accompanying chant and polyphony.
• Familiarity with or ability to learn Gregorian Chant notation (neumes), Latin pronunciation, and traditional Catholic repertoire.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn liturgical structure and music rubrics of the Roman Missal (Ordinary Form; familiarity with the Extraordinary Form is a plus but not required unless specified).
• A deep respect for the Church's musical heritage and a desire to support the liturgy through sacred music.
• Experience working with choirs and cantors in a liturgical setting.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, faith-centered environment.
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Preferred Qualifications:
• Degree or formal training in Sacred Music, Organ Performance, or a related field
• Familiarity with chant resources such as:
o Source and Summit
o Canta La Misa
o Graduale Romanum
o Graduale Simplex
o The Parish Book of Chant
o Roman Missal chant settings
o Hymnals faithful to Church teaching (e.g., Adoremus Hymnal, St. Michael Hymnal)
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Compensation:
• Commensurate with experience and parish budget
• Additional stipends available for weddings and funerals

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How to Apply:
Please e-mail the Director of Liturgical Music at music@olmjasper.org.

About the Employer

A rapidly growing and thriving parish, Our Lady of the Mountains is located in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. It is a place where Catholics can come to share and express an "authentic faith life" and is home to over 750 families.