Old St. Joseph’s (OSJ) is Philadelphia’s oldest Catholic community, founded and staffed by Jesuits since its founding in 1733. The parish is located two blocks from Independence Hall.

OSJ has earned a reputation for excellent Eucharistic liturgies, including music of the highest quality. The music program draws on the Church’s history, from traditional hymnody, Gregorian chant, and polyphony, through contemporary composers. Parishioners understand that good liturgical music serves and enhances the liturgy, and that good liturgy promotes full participation from the assembly. We seek a new Director of Music Ministry that will build upon the strengths of our program and open new dimensions of spirituality.

Principal Activities
The Director of Music will plan the music for all liturgies, direct two adult choirs, and provide principal organ or piano accompaniment for four weekend masses and major feast days. OSJ hosts over 75 weddings annually, requiring some planning time from the Director and represents an opportunity for substantial additional income as the designated accompanist. Funerals are considerably less frequent, but will need planning, and again, provide opportunity for additional income. Additionally, the director will guide an outreach program of sacred art and music events with support from lay members of the community.

Currently, weekend liturgies with music are Saturday at 5:30 PM, and Sundays at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 6:30 PM. The 5:30 and 9:30 masses are led by a cantor and accompanied by organ and occasional piano. The 11:30 mass is a solemn mass with traditional scared music, organ accompaniment, and volunteer adult choir. The 6:30 mass features a more contemporary music style with piano accompaniment and a volunteer choir. A music budget provides resources to supplement the choirs with cantors and other musicians for the other masses and special feast days.

Qualifications
First and foremost, we seek a minister that can enhance our communal worship through congregational song and finding deeper expression of Ignatian spirituality in our music. Demonstrated ability to enhance the congregation’s worship experience through high quality music is essential.

Secondly, we seek an excellent organist and choral director with knowledge and experience in the Roman Rite to ensure the quality of music in each liturgy.

Third, we seek an individual with solid administrative and interpersonal skills to work within our parish organization and interact effectively with staff, musicians, parishioners, brides, and service providers.

Fourth, we seek someone that will represent our parish in all liturgical music matters with the Archdiocese and with the broader Philadelphia music community.

Fifth, we seek someone to be member of our community of faith.


[UPDATE: 2/18/14: The position has been filled.]