St. Peter Catholic Church Parish
Covington, LA
PRINCIPAL ORGANIST JOB DESCRIPTION


JOB TITLE: Principal Organist
LOCATION: Saint Peter Catholic Church
REPORTS TO: Director of Music, Director of Parish Ministries and Liturgy, Pastor
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

The Principal Organist’s primary role is to provide organ accompaniment to choirs or cantors for all five weekend liturgies, Holy days such as Christmas and Easter, as well as special occasion liturgies or concerts throughout the year, such as Confirmation, Ash Wednesday, or First Holy Communion. In addition, this role requires the accompaniment of choir rehearsals. Funerals and Weddings ad hoc.

The Principal Organist must work closely and collaboratively with the Director of Music, the Director of Ministries and Liturgy, and the pastor to ensure that the musical standard of Catholic worship is of excellent musical and liturgical quality.

Instrument: Allen Renaissance Quantum, 4-manual digital organ
Mass times: 4pm Saturday, 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:30am and 5:00pm on Sunday

SALARY:

$45,000-$55,000+ (depending on education and experience)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Accompany 4-5 Masses per weekend plus Holy Days of Obligation, and other parish events

• Accompany choir rehearsal as scheduled

• Familiarity with the Catholic Mass and its liturgical nuances

• Maintain the Musical Library in the Choir Loft

• Oversee the maintenance of the organ

• Attend occasional liturgy committee meetings

• Have familiarity with the Treasury of Sacred Music

• Collaboration with Director of Music and pastoral team

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to climb the choir loft stairs

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Organ Performance or equivalent level of experience, Masters degree preferred

• Excellent organ accompaniment and liturgical improvisation skills

• The ability to take direction and work collaboratively with the Director of Music and Pastoral Team

• Reliability and punctuality

• Works well and effectively with or without direct supervision

• Executes excellent liturgical judgement as needs arise during celebrations

• Excellent sight reading and improvisation skills

• Ability to accompany reading a polyphonic choral score

• Familiarity with Copyright law

• Expert level knowledge of choral sacred and polyphonic music, liturgical music practice, liturgical documents and law, and gregorian chant modalities and rhythms

• Pass and maintain the Archdiocesan requirements for Safe Environment.

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as this position entirely requires

• Strong organizational capabilities, great attention to detail and the ability to multitask

Please send your resume to Director of Music, Karista Filopoulos Douzat, at music@stpeterparish.com. Sheet music and requirements for a video audition will be sent upon receipt of resume.

https://stpeterparish.com/job-openings