Director of Sacred Music

 

Saint John’s at Christmastime - Click image to enlarge

OPEN POSITION: DIRECTOR OF SACRED MUSIC

Saint John’s is seeking the perfect candidate for the essential position of Director of Sacred Music in Jordan, Minnesota. Our ideal candidate would be one who has a deep love for the heritage and history of Sacred Music in the Catholic Church. Someone with an appreciation and understanding of reverence and sacredness in the Mass.

Highlights of the position:

  • Reverent Traditional Ad Orientem (Novus Ordo) Masses

  • Four Established Choirs - High School Choir, Children’s Scola Cantorum, 8:00 am Sunrise Choir, 10:00 am Festival Choir.

  • Newly Restored Wicks Organ

  • Dedicated Rehearsal and Choral Library Space

  • Multiple Professional Choral Events Per Year

  • Supportive Parish and Pastor

  • A growing parish with many young families each weekend.

Organ Detail:

  • FULLY restored 1940s Wicks Organ

  • 16 Ranks, 3 Manual 61 notes, 32 note pedal.

  • Restoration included a new Ahlborn console, all new electronics, re-leathered reservoirs, new pallet valves, etc.

Saint John’s Festival Choir - Click image to enlarge

A few members of the Schola Cantorum & High School Choir

Saint John’s Choral Practice Space and Musical Library - Click image to enlarge

I.    Musical Responsibilities – Accompanist/Organist/Choir Director. 

Directs all aspects of the parish music program.

  1. Accompaniment:  Responsible as the primary organ accompanist for Sunday, Holy Day, funerals, and other liturgical events.

    1. Responsible for directing and accompanying the 5 pm, 8 am, and 10 am Masses each weekend. 

    2. Accompany and direct at funerals as requested.  A separate stipend will be provided for this.

    3. Accompany at weddings if requested.  A separate stipend will be provided for this.

  2. Choir Director: Responsible for directing and accompanying (if necessary) all choirs.

    1. Provide direction, supervision, ongoing support, timely communications, and music needs as addressed for these groups.

    2. Direct and lead weekly rehearsals of choirs.

    3. Oversee music selection in consultation with the Pastor

    4. Recruitment

  3. 1.     Growth of the choirs in size and ability.

  4. 2.     Recruit members:  Talent development and actual directing.

    1. These include the Children’s Schola Cantorum, High School Choir, 8:00 am Sunrise Choir, and 10:00 am Festival Choir.

  5. Musicians: Recruit, train, schedule, and provide ongoing formation for accompanists and instrumentalists for Sundays, Holy Days, and other liturgical events as needed.

    1. Provide supervision to musicians.

  6. Cantors: Recruit, train, schedule, and provide ongoing formation for cantors for necessary Sundays, Holy Days, and other liturgical events as needed.

  7. Choirs: Ensure that direction, supervision, ongoing support, and sacred music needs are addressed for all existing music groups.  This includes the following existing choirs:

    1. Evaluate each choir and communicate any recommendations to the pastor.

    2. Evaluate the need for and develop additional music groups as appropriate.

  8. Schedules: Schedule all musicians, choirs, cantors, and accompanists for Sunday, Holy Day, and other liturgical events.  Communicate schedules with the pastor, choirs, and others involved.

  9. Spend time weekly practicing organ music.

II.    Musical Responsibilities – General/Ministry/Other

  1. Planning:  Work with the Pastor to plan, develop and implement Sunday liturgies, Holy day and special liturgies.

    1. Work with the pastor and choirs, plan music for weekend and Holy Day Masses.

    2. Oversee and prepare worship aids for special events, such as funerals.

    3. Facilitate hymn selection.

  2. Assist priests (others) with learning Liturgical music.

  3. Funerals: Collaborate with the presider to oversee and provide for music needs.  Contact the choir and prepare the order of worship and funerals.

  4. Weddings:  Work with the presider and wedding coordinators on wedding preparation. 

  5. Music Library: Oversee, maintain, organize, and update the Music Library.

  6. Hymnals.  Responsible for oversight, upkeep, and recommendations on hymnals.

  7. Copyright laws:  Responsible for licenses and copyright laws.  Adhere to copyright laws for all music and worship aids.

  8. Instruments: Oversee maintenance and ensure upkeep of all Church instruments.  Evaluate and make recommendations for future instrument needs, purchases, and upgrades. 

  9. Administrative:

    1. Participate in ongoing professional education [in related musical field] and attend all required workshops offered by the Archdiocese in related areas of ministry.

    2. Operate within the department’s budget.

    3. Develop an annual calendar for the ministry area and provide information for the master parish calendar.

    4. Handle emergency needs and develop alternate plans for such situations as they arise.

    5. Work to establish and grow a fund to support the musical endeavors of the parish.

    6. Submit and/or approve payment for paid musicians

    7. Attend necessary staff meetings, retreat days, calendaring meetings, and other mandatory events.

III.   Liturgy

  1. Consult with the pastor on a regular basis to help implement a liturgical vision for the parish.

  2. Help organize, plan, and prepare for all liturgies:

    1. Weekend Masses

    2. Annual Liturgies (Christmas, Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Advent)

    3. Para-liturgies (processions, blessings, concerts, etc.)

    4. Day of Mercy confession event

    5. Help wedding couples plan their liturgy (readings, intercessions, etc.)

    6. Help with funeral planning

  3. Bring new ideas and improvements to current liturgical practices (baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc.)

  4. Attend workshops, classes, and information conferences from time to time to further your learning.

  5. Helps to improve the liturgical environment

IV.  General Responsibilities

  1. Help create a productive environment where there is harmony, good morale, and cooperative teamwork, evaluate and take corrective action as appropriate and needed.

  2. Maintain appropriate confidentiality of all work data.

  3. Meet all communication requirements including interpersonal skills with the employees and parish. Includes keeping superiors, co-workers, volunteers and appropriate others informed.

  4. Stewardship:  Able to assist Pastor in helping foster and form a parish committed to the stewardship way of life.  This includes:

    1. Willingness to grow in faith and prayer life as part of the parish’s vision.

    2. Willingness to embrace and help the parish foster Total Stewardship and most importantly must be an active disciple of Jesus Christ and in love with the Church and their faith.

  5. Communicate information on the programs as needed, to parishioners and broader community through various methods, including the parish bulletin and other media.

Saint John’s Annual Epiphany Concert with Mirandola Ensemble & Chesterton Choir - Click image to enlarge

2025 Easter Vigil Lucernarium - Photo Credit: Jen Finke

First Holy Communion

Altar on Palm Sunday

 
Father Neil Bakker