St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish
Bethesda, Maryland
Soprano/Tenor Staff Singer

St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish maintains an active Parish Choir, whose repertoire spans a broad spectrum of sacred music. The ensemble consists of approximately 35 volunteer members with five paid Staff Singers, which support and enhance the volunteer ensemble, serve as principal cantors, and form the “Chantal Schola”. As an additional incentive, the staff singers have first right of refusal for the significant number of Parish weddings and funerals.

The Parish Choir sings every Sunday at the 10am Mass (9am call) from the Thursday after Labor Day until the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. They also sing for various extra services and para-liturgical events such as the All Souls Liturgy (Nov. 2), Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the Easter Triduum. Weekly Rehearsals are held every Thursday, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. in the church. Additional rehearsals are announced at the Director’s discretion.


QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent sight-singing and quick learning skills
• A strong, clear vocal tone
• Exceptional intonation
• Ability to blend vowels and vocal color
• The ability to adapt to various styles and epochs of music (i.e. “straight tone”)
• Familiarity with plainchant, polyphony, and Latin diction
• Leadership skills with pastoral sensitivity
• Are independent in their voice-parts, relying on no one else to sing their line
• Vocally perform successfully in choir, small ensembles, or as soloists
• Piano proficiency is encouraged


EXPECTATIONS:

• Ability to vocally demonstrate for choir, within small group or as solo
• Learn notes before rehearsals and arrive punctually—completely prepared for the schedule of music
• A professional attitude and demeanor
• Professionalism in behavior and dress, respect, and reverence in church and for the sacred liturgy
• Willingness to informally advise/coach volunteer section members
• Willingness to inform the director of expected absences/lateness and to secure substitutes as needed


Above all, Staff Singers of St. Jane’s cherish their roles, giving them due dignity, and concern themselves with excellence, beauty, and gracing those around them with a thirst for life and truth, experienced through the gift that brings them to lead and inspire.

Interested persons please contact Mr. Russell Weismann, Director of Music. russell.weismann@stjanedechantal.com