CHS Profile

The Church of the Holy Spirit was initially formed as a mission church in 1898, with the first church building constructed in 1902.This English Gothic building was enlarged over the years and the nave now has four transepts. We have 1765 members, 293 pledging units, and had an average Sunday attendance of 254 in 2017, during an interim period.

CHS holds a 7:30 am Rite I service, a 10:00 am Rite II service with full choir and organ, a Saturday evening simple service (currently without music) and regular Choral Evensongs. Music is considered vital to our communal worship and has drawn and held many of our members in the congregation.

We are a church that believes in the importance of growing spiritually closer to God. To that end, we embrace and venerate a strong bond between our rector/clergy and parishioners; an inspirational and relevant Sunday experience that encompasses liturgy, music, preaching, lay participation, fellowship and Christian formation; spiritual formation and education for all ages, from our youngest children to our most elderly parishioners; compassionate service to others through service, mission and outreach; pastoral care to all those in need; genuine community, fellowship and hospitality for all who enter our doors.

The Senior Choir, open to adults and high school and college students, sings each Sunday at the 10:00 AM service. The Senior Choir also sings at special services throughout the year and offers Choral Evensong on a regular basis. For Choral Evensong and other special services its ranks expand from 32 regular members (including four paid section leaders) to as many as 52, often including singers from other churches. The Senior Choir has been honored to serve as Visiting Choir at five English Cathedrals: Wells, Ely, Durham, Salisbury and Lincoln.

Boys and girls ages 8 to 13 comprise the St. Gregory's choir. The Royal School of Church Music curriculum for choristers is used to teach music, singing, service, and worship leadership. The choir sings regularly at the 10:00 AM service and generally sings for two Evensongs during the year. The Senior Choir and St. Gregory's Choir have been joined by a chamber orchestra and soloists on Good Friday to offer either the St. Matthew or St. John Passion by J.S. Bach. Both choirs sing together for festival services, when they are joined by the Bell Choir. The Bell Choir also rings monthly at the 10:00 AM service.

The ideal candidate is someone who will sustain our vibrant music program and be a strategic partner as we develop and expand our music ministry. This will include a broadening of the children's music ministry, that we hope to accomplish with the addition of a third musician.

As Organist

Play principal Sunday worship service(s) each week; Play monthly Choral Evensong service;
Play other liturgical worship services (Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and other Holy Days, Confirmation, occasional 7:30 a.m. Sunday, etc.) as appropriate;
Play weddings, memorial services, and funerals;
Select the organ music for all services (including weddings, funerals) with consideration for liturgical and seasonal appropriateness;
Practice the music to be offered in worship to ensure consistently high quality; Practice with and prepare guest soloists for any of above services;
Supervise the Assistant Organist's service playing as appropriate;
Coordinate and oversee maintenance/repair/upgrades of the church's Harrison & Harrison organs and various pianos;
Compose/arrange hymn settings/descants and other music for use in services, especially when other instruments are involved (trumpet, handbells, etc.).

As Choirmaster

Conduct and accompany each of five choirs in weekly rehearsal; Conduct and/or accompany choirs participating in services (as above); Warm up choirs before each service;
Lead annual weekend retreats for all choirs;
Select music for choirs to sing/ring in accordance with liturgical and seasonal appropriateness; Prepare solidly for all services, rehearsals, and retreats to be conducted;
Audition, hire, and work with Sr. Choir section leaders;
Train St. Gregory's Choir members and leaders in accordance with Royal School of Church Music guidelines;
Review new choral music and publications in search for new music; Supervise Assistant Organist's choir leadership as appropriate;
Coordinate and oversee maintenance of the church's pianos, handbells, robes, and other music program properties.

As Administrator

Meet with the Rector and other clergy as necessary to facilitate an informed approach to the O/CM's musical responsibilities and role in worship;
Attend weekly staff meetings and other meetings (church committees/coordinators, etc.) as necessary; Meet weekly and coordinate duties with Assistant Organist;
Meet with and supervise activities of Music Program Assistant;
Meet with non-clergy staff members, choir members, St. Gregory's Choir parents, and parishioners individually with regard to musical matters as necessary;
Prepare communications and calendars for members of all choirs on regular basis; Order materials (new music, teaching aids, equipment, etc.) as needed;
Manage the budget for music program and prepares budget needs annually;
Maintain general program records (musical, budgetary, attendance, etc.); Maintain training materials and proficiency records for children's choirs;
Audition/interview and recommend persons to be hired for music program's two assistant positions;
Identify musical groups and soloists to perform in conjunction with regular Sunday services and for additional services, including the Saturday evening service and other special services;
Plan the necessary public relations and other coordination aspects of special music events and participation in conjunction with the communications coordinator;
Communicate with and help educate the parish concerning the role of music in worship (Witness covers and organ notes, newsletter articles, Forums, etc.);
Act as the church's musical resource person for parishioners and others;
Develop a broader children's music ministry as resources become available.

Application Process

CHS's Search Committee will accept applications received through May 31, 2018. Candidates should include in their resume examples of the organ works that they have performed in church settings or elsewhere, as well as major choral and orchestral works that they have conducted. Resumes should include not only information regarding education and music positions held (inclusive of dates), but also some description of experience related to adult, handbell and children's choirs. A file or link to performance recordings including choral and organ selections should be included, as well.

From the applications received, the Search Committee will select candidates with whom telephone interviews or video conferences will be conducted. Finalists will be drawn from this group. At this time, the Search Committee anticipates that each finalist will be invited to Lake Forest as a guest musician for audition interviews (conducting a Senior Choir rehearsal and leading music for a Sunday service including playing of organ preludes and postludes, conducting the anthem, and accompanying hymns) in June or July of 2018.

Application Information

Please send a cover letter, resume or CV, audio files or links and names/contact information of three references by electronic mail (preferred) to: search@chslf.org or by postal service mail (marked Confidential) to:

Music Search
Church of the Holy Spirit 400 E. Westminster Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Please contact Steve Bassill, Search Chair, at 847-650-8350 if you have questions.

All applications will be considered confidential at this time.