St. Mary’s Catholic Church was founded in 1852 and is the oldest Catholic parish in Upstate South Carolina, with a congregation of over 4,000 souls and a parochial school of 275 children. We already have a permanent full-time choirmaster who is responsible for the training of our adult choir, youth choir and schola cantorum, and the organist is required to work closely with the choirmaster, serve as his substitute as needed, and fulfill the following duties:

+play three weekend Masses each week (5 pm Saturday and 9 and 11 am Sunday)
+play all funerals and weddings (annually about 25 funerals and 10 weddings)
+play all holy days of obligation and all liturgies of the Paschal Triduum
+play one school Mass each week during term
+play Solemn Vespers each Sunday of Advent and Lent and other times designated by the pastor
+play Evensong several times each year as designated by the pastor
+play various other liturgies as indicated by the pastor
+play prearranged preludes and postludes at all liturgies
+perform other duties as indicated by the pastor
+accompany rehearsals as indicated by the pastor


Requirements for the position

+at least an undergraduate degree in music; master’s degree preferred
+experience in choral conducting, including plainchant and polyphony
+detailed knowledge of the Catholic liturgy
+mastery of organ literature and improvisation


Benefits

+competitive salary based on education and experience
+full benefits (health insurance, retirement, etc.)
+time away for vacation, recitals, continuing education


St. Mary’s Church

Our parish is firmly rooted in the Catholic liturgical movement usually called “The Reform of the Reform,” meaning that we do not celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite but are deeply committed to the solemn and devout celebration of the Ordinary Form in fidelity to the best liturgical and musical traditions of the Church. The wide and regular use of Latin plainchant and polyphony, the singing of the English Propers at Solemn Masses, and the vigorous congregational singing of traditional hymnody within the vernacular celebration of the Ordinary Form are essential features of our program of sacred music, and the new organist must be someone who is perfectly at ease with this approach to worship and able to provide leadership for musical excellence under the pastor’s detailed direction.

Our church building was constructed in 1904 in a simple Gothic style with Arts & Crafts influences, and the structure was completely restored in 2002. The parish campus includes eight buildings and open green spaces on 10 acres in downtown Greenville. The organ was built in 1990 by Reuter, opus 2131, and it has electro-pneumatic action with two manuals and 19 ranks. Our organ is not a concert quality instrument, but it is excellent for the space and beautifully fulfills its mission in our church. The organ is located in a loft at the rear of the church, and our choirs sing from that loft, which can accommodate up to 35 people along with room for brass and timpani. A large and dedicated practice room with piano and music library is located in a modern building next to the church, and all rehearsals are held in that choir room.


Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville is a very pleasant and surprisingly cosmopolitan town, located on Interstate 85 about half way between Charlotte and Atlanta. In recent years, the downtown of Greenville has experienced an extraordinary renaissance and is now home to parks, restaurants, art galleries, a center for the performing arts, a new baseball park, abundant apartments and condominiums, two small theater companies, shops of many kinds, and a thriving culture of outdoor music and street festivals. The climate and cost of living here are both quite moderate, and the quality of life is very high. Greenville County is now home to more than 450,000 people and is the largest urban center in South Carolina, and while the community is increasingly diverse, it still has a very traditional culture with a strong emphasis on Christian discipleship and family life. Greenville is served by several major airlines at the Greenville/Spartanburg Airport (GSP) and is about one hour by car from Asheville, NC, two hours from Charlotte and Atlanta, and three hours from Charleston.


Contact Information

If you are interested in this position, please contact Father Jay Scott Newman, the pastor of St. Mary’s, at pastor@stmarysgvl.org. Resumes will be reviewed as they arrive. For more information about St. Mary’s Church, visit the parish website at www.stmarysgvl.org.

POSITION FILLED - SEARCH ENDED 19 August 2015