Soprano, Tenor and Bass Professional Choral Section Leader Positions Available

St. Paul Cathedral and Pittsburgh Diocesan Choir

Purpose: The section leader is designed to assist the Diocesan/Cathedral Director and Associate Director of Music in the pursuit of achieving and maintaining artistic and musical excellence within a Catholic, religious and prayerful environment. The section leaders provide the opportunity for the choir to sing more challenging and quality choral music, at the same time, improving upon the musical skills and overall confidence of the volunteer singer exponentially.

Duties & Responsibilities
• Provide musical leadership for choral section
• Take detailed notes at rehearsal, such as breathing, phrasing, diction etc., in the
event you lead a sectional or a singer in your section needs the markings.
• Attend all scheduled rehearsals and Masses during the normal choir year from September to the beginning of June
• To attend all worship services where choral music is required for both Cathedral parish and diocesan functions (Masses, Vespers, Rite of Election, Ordinations, Paschal Triduum, Chrism Mass, Christmas, Lessons and Carols, including other special concerts.)
• Sing solos as requested by the director as needs dictates. Many solos are beyond the scope of most amateurs/volunteers.
• Arrange for a substitute if there is a need to be absent from a rehearsal or performance (absences must be communicated well in advance and pre-approved by the director, except for illnesses or other emergencies)
• Serve as cantor, when assigned (additional income possible for cantoring non-choral Masses)

Desired Qualifications/Skills
• A skilled musician able to read music well (piano skills not required but useful)
• Strong vocal production with good pitch sense and both a strong ensemble singer
and soloist as needed
• Vocal flexibility in a variety of musical styles including Gregorian chant and Early Music
• Possess good interpersonal and communication skills and is willing to help foster a positive, energetic and prayerful working environment
• Punctuality
• While preference will be given to practicing Catholics, the position is also open to those of other faith traditions

Compensation
• Singers are paid on a per-service basis.

Schedule
Cathedral parish
• Every Sunday: Rehearsal 8:15-9:45 am, Mass 10:00-11:30 am (Sunday after Labor Day through beginning of June-the choir is usually off the Sunday after Christmas and Easter.)
• Four Thursday evening rehearsals (7:00-9:15 pm) during the year (2 during Advent, 2 during Lent)
• Christmas Eve Mass (10:00 pm) and liturgies of the Easter Triduum: Holy Thursday (7:00 pm), Good Friday (1:30 pm), Holy Saturday Easter Vigil (evening).
Diocese
• Monday evening rehearsal (s) prior to an event, 7:00-9:00PM (as scheduled)
• Events as scheduled (schedule communicated at beginning of season)

Audition Procedure
• Contact John Sittard, Director of Music to set up an audition by emailing at: jsittard@diopitt.org.
• Prepare two contrasting pieces (one sacred: preferably one from an Oratorio)
• Sightreading
• Vocal range