Diocesan and Cathedral Music Director

Job Description

Resumes are now being accepted for the position of Diocesan and Cathedral Music Director. This is a full-time, exempt position located at both the Diocese of Pittsburgh Pastoral Center and Saint Paul Cathedral.

The Diocesan Music Director, in collaboration with the Diocesan Office of Worship, is responsible for all aspects of music for diocesan events, including but not limited to those, at St. Paul Cathedral and liturgies with the bishop at the Diocese of Pittsburgh Pastoral Center; Director of the Diocesan Choir, and formation of pastoral musicians. As the Director of Music at St. Paul Cathedral, they are responsible for the overall execution of the Cathedral Liturgical Music Program, choir and cantors. In cooperation with the rector and pastor of the Cathedral and the Diocesan Director of Worship, reviews all liturgical music programs, policies, procedures, and budgets for the Cathedral Liturgical Music Program.

EDUCATION: Master's Degree in Music Performance or Professional Equivalent (organ performance or choral conducting) is required: Candidates specializing in choral conducting must have organ performance proficiency of a Master's Degree.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 3 - 5 years' experience directing the music program of a cathedral or large parish. Experience with building and maintaining a choral program.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: Extensive knowledge of Roman Catholic liturgical documents and Roman Catholic liturgy is required.
• Exceptional organ performance skills.
• Choral conducting skills.
• Instrumental conducting skills, as well as arranging instrumental parts.
• Experience with vocal technique and pedagogy.
• Familiarity with the Liturgical Guidelines of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
• Proven administrative skills including but not limited to, interpersonal relations, conflict resolution, management and supervision, critical thinking, visioning and planning, budgeting and collaboration.

Responsibilities as Diocesan Music Director

• Reports to the Director of the Office of Worship.
• Prepare and execute all musical programming and logistics for all diocesan events. The music aspects include communicating with the event chair, determining the nature of the liturgy, planning/selecting appropriate music, assisting with the creation of a printed worship aid. Contact/supply/rehearse all necessary musicians. Communicate all details to the Department for Worship/Bishop's Office.
• Oversees music staff, including Associate Director of Music, Choral Librarian(s), and other staff musicians and volunteers.
• Ensure organist staffing for all diocesan events. Events requiring the presence of the Diocesan Choir will be played by the Associate Director of Music and Organist.
• Rehearse the music with the diocesan choir and cantors.
• Recruit and audition potential diocesan choir members.
• Plan the diocesan choir rehearsal schedule.
• Serve as outreach/consultant to diocesan Bishop, other diocesan offices, clergy, and parish musicians.
• Assist pastors and other clergy in the hiring of new musicians for their parishes.
• Assist parishes regarding organ consultation, music space renovation, and music resources.
• Teach on occasion at St. Paul Seminary, Crafton, in consultation with the Rector of Saint Paul Seminary, the Director of Vocations, the Diaconate Formation Office, and the Office of Worship.
• Coordinate and play (or depute the associate) at diocesan liturgical events which may occur annually at the Cathedral.
• Participate in the Liturgical Commission and the ex-officio chair of the Music Sub-Committee.
• Develop and coordinate communication to parish musicians.
• Develop and organize formation and enrichment opportunities for diocesan pastoral musicians.
• Maintain a regular schedule of office hours at the diocesan Music Office.
• Strengthens musical skills and deepens liturgical knowledge through regular practice and professional reading. Maintains membership and activity in professional organizations, including attendance at conferences or workshops, especially NPM, CRCCM, and AGO. Maintains an awareness of the state of the profession, current trends in the field, etc.

Responsibilities as Cathedral Director of Music

• Supervised by the Cathedral Rector.
• Works in collaboration with the Rector and Diocesan Office of Worship in the development of the Liturgical Musical life of the Cathedral Parish.
• Oversees music staff, including Associate Director(s) of Music, Choral Librarian(s), and other staff musicians and volunteers.
• Prepare music for weekend Masses (Sat. 6:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM, 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM).
• Ensure musical staffing (between Director of Music and Associate) for all funerals celebrated in the parish. Communicate with the priest presider.
• Ensure musical staffing (between Director of Music and Associate) for all weddings celebrated in the parish. Communicate with cathedral wedding coordinator.
• Coordinate music for additional events such as Stations of the Cross, Marian Devotions, monthly and seasonal Vespers/Benediction, and others.
• Prepare weekly printed Order of Worship and other programs (Vespers, Morning Prayer, All Souls, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation Services, Triduum Booklet, Triduum Morning Prayer, Annual Dedication of the Cathedral, Conversion of Paul, Feast of Peter and Paul, May Marian Devotions, and one-time events such as Rector Installation, etc.). Secretarial staff will print the worship aid.
• Schedule and rehearse cathedral cantors.
• Recruit, plan, rehearse the semi-professional Cathedral Choir (sings for Sunday 12:00 PM Mass, Holy Days of Obligation, and other occasions as needed).
• Schedule and hire additional singers/choir members as required.
• Submit monthly payroll information to the appropriate department.
• Develop and maintain cathedral choral library. Oversee a part-time staff choral librarian at Saint Paul Cathedral, and a [staff/volunteer] choral for the Diocesan Choir.
• Schedule, hire instrumentalists as needed, arrange/purchase music for instrumentalists as needed.
• Participate in monthly parish pastoral staff meetings.
• Serve as coordinator for cathedral groups sponsoring special liturgical events at the cathedral needing music.
• Coordinate and promote guest choir appearances.
• Responsible for the care and maintenance of the cathedral organ (1962 Rudolf von Beckerath Organ)/Synod Hall organ/cathedral pianos.
• Serve as a liaison for extra events such as guest groups using the cathedral for events/liturgies requiring music (Latino Community, High School Graduations, etc.).
• Strengthens musical skills and deepens liturgical knowledge through regular practice and professional reading. Maintains membership and activity in professional organizations, including attendance at conferences or workshops, especially NPM, CRCCM, and AGO. Maintains an awareness of the state of the profession, current trends in the field, etc.

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