Director of Liturgical Music and Organist

The Cathedral Parish

St. Patrick Cathedral occupies the site of the first Catholic Church in Fort Worth, established in 1876 as St. Stanislaus Church. In 1892 the present building was completed and dedicated to St. Patrick, and in 1969 the parish became the Cathedral of the newly-erected Diocese of Fort Worth. The edifice, the oldest continuously used church building in the city, rectory, and St. Ignatius School, are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places and form a landmark at the southern end of one of the nation’s most exciting city centers. A 2001 restoration addressed structural and interior needs, while maintaining the traditional beauty of the parish which has attracted many with its noted stained glass and reverent, dignified liturgies.

The Vision

The Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, JCD, DD, Bishop of Fort Worth since 2005, and the new Cathedral Rector, the Very Rev. Richard Flores, envision the Cathedral growing in its role as the mother church of the diocese and as a Catholic witness in the midst of one of the most dynamic urban areas in the country. The Rector hopes for the assistance of the Director of Liturgical Music and Organist in seeking creative ways to engage this vibrant downtown community and foster spiritual encounters with Almighty God through the beauty of sacred music. The successful candidate will enjoy the opportunity to build his own full-time program and make an important contribution to the field of Catholic Cathedral music.

The Opportunity

The Director of Liturgical Music and Organist will be a newly full-time position, responsible for the entire musical life of the parish, under the guidance of the Rector. The successful candidate will provide organ music for all 5 weekend masses plus Holy Days and occasional diocesan events. He or she will rehearse and direct the current Adult Choir, supervise and train Cantors, select hymns, and find imaginative new ways to broaden the musical efforts of the Cathedral. The successful candidate will appreciate and have competency in a broad range of musical styles from Gregorian chant to polyphony as well as the best of the modern opus.
The Rector seeks someone with a vision for liturgical music in a cathedral as well as the musical skills, strong leadership and administrative ability, and engaging personality to carry it out. Building upon a tradition that currently includes occasional choral masses (sometimes with orchestral accompaniment) and use of chant, the successful candidate will enjoy broad latitude in the liturgical mission of the Cathedral, with the goals of educating, inspiring, and bringing beauty to the lives of parishioners, the diocese, and downtown residents. An important facet of the work will be the interaction with diocesan officials brought about by the number of diocesan liturgies held at St. Patrick Cathedral.

The Organ Project

An important part of this position will be the selection and oversight of a pipe organ for the cathedral, for which substantial funds (approximately half of the cost of the instrument envisioned) are already in place, with the remainder to be part of a planned 2009 capital funds campaign. The new organ will enjoy favorable placement in a rear choir gallery, speaking along the axis of the rectangular building with its reverberant acoustics.

The Requirements

Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree in organ, choral or sacred music, with preference given to those with advanced qualifications. Organ skills should include competency at hymn playing, improvisation, the performance of the organ literature, and ability to conduct from the console. In addition to knowledge of all aspects of the Catholic liturgical tradition and relevant documents of the Church’s Magisterium, applicants should be practicing Catholics living in full accord with the teachings of the Church.

The Remuneration

St. Patrick Cathedral offers a full-time compensation package following the salary guidelines of the American Guild of Organists, as well as benefits according to diocesan policy. Weddings, funerals and associated rehearsals are paid separately and also follow AGO guidelines.

The Process

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest with at least 3 references (one of which must be a Priest), curriculum vitae, and brief (one page or less) statement describing their vision of Catholic liturgical music in a cathedral setting. These materials, along with any supplementary materials, should be sent via United States mail to: Marguerite Koenig, Business Manager, St. Patrick Cathedral, 1206 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. The Cathedral is not able to accept questions or receive materials by telephone, fax, or electronic media. Applications are accepted immediately and the position is open until filled.
Short-listed candidates may expect to be invited for personal interview as well as an organ and conducting audition.

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