I'm not quite sure what you're asking. (Your last sentence doesn't even make grammatical sense to me, so I can't tell if you're asking what we think about this, or why do churches do this?)

Personally, I don't care. A church can ask for whatever qualifications they want to for a position. If the person they end up hiring doesn't end up using all of their qualifications, then it's the church's loss for not having expanded their applicant pool. And why do they do this? Maybe b/c they are looking for an organist? So what if they're a big church who already has another organist? What's wrong with wanting a DM who can also fill in for the organist in a pinch?

ETA: I'm also not sure what discussions you're referring to about the "ideal" combination of a gifted director and organist. *I* personally don't think so. Unless a church is quite large (like 6+ weekend liturgies,) I see nothing wrong with having the DM do everything. (Then it could be argued that it is a full-time position, which is always a good thing!)

Melofluent, you could reverse the question a bit and ask why some think all organists are directors. Granted, I studied conducting in college, as do most organists. Do all organists enjoy conducting? Maybe, maybe not.

As others have noted, every situation is different. And, as also noted, any situation could be altered.

There are some parishes who list organ skills as a requirement because the director and the organist are the same person. That simple. There is one organist for the parish. That's a hard situation for larger parishes, because it can easily mean burn-out for a director. I think, in the more ideal situations, the director is also an organist because he may either fill in on occasion, or he may play one or two other Masses, while there is a "fly-in" organist who plays the principle Mass while the conductor directs. That situation is fairly easy, because chances are those Masses that aren't the principle Masses just require hymns. So, anyone with a modest skill at the organ is able to play.

I am a very modest organist. I can play hymns and simple preludes and postludes, but I also accompany the principle Mass most of the time. Reason being is that the Introit, Offertory, and Communion are all sung in plainsong. Most of the motets are sung without accompaniment. So, that leaves me to play the Responsorial Psalm, Alleluia, closing hymn, and incidental music. Not really a tall order.

I think a job description is the place where employers place their hopes and dreams. People who don't apply because they lack one or two of the skills that are listed often sell themselves short. For example...a job may call for a Masters degree. You may have a bachelor's degree with 10 years of experience. You should still apply. The position may call for organ skills, but you may have very limited keyboard skills. Still apply. Your personality, knowledge, and experience may be impressive to them...and that may lead them to re-work the position.

Long and the short of it folks...if you see a dream job, then apply. The worst they can do is say "no."

Ergo, by your literal words, an atheist who is capable of playing JSB's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, remains a more legitimate and viable candidate for a RCC DM position than a guitarist (no matter of what degreed or not variety) who may also hold multiple degrees in choral repertoire, pedagogy or sacred literature? S/he's disqualified because of the instrument, period. Hmmm. Pretty cut and dry.

I sincerely believe that, if a parish is going to put up the money for a full-time position, the DM should be capable of leading the weekend liturgies completely by themselves. I imagine that many of us do just that over the summer months when the choirs are in recess. This is why they are asking for someone who can sing, play the organ, and conduct choirs: because there's one staff person allotted for music in many places.

Must we deal with atheist guitarists with multiple degrees on this forum today?

Melofluent seems to be asking a rhetorical question, with the implicit answer being lack of imagination. I think there may be something to that, even in cases where only a single musician can be afforded. Wouldn't a good cantor with By Flowing Waters be an ideal solution for small churches that can't afford even a decent e-piano?

I sometimes fill my Christmas Eve break by strolling to a nearby 11:00 Midnight Mass; once I heard the congregation trying to get through Silent Night played on an excreable instrument, rather slowly but in 5/8 time. At least they had found someone who was keyboard proficient, and probably not an atheist (I do not go around asking such questions, however). Would anyone here not prefer a guitar or violin or (gasp!) a trained singer in this situation?

They do a GREAT job! Such enthusiasm. Of course, when interest comes from the top and filters down through very talented people it has to encourage all those they touch.

John M, you have to start somewhere. There's no shame in that. If the bishop (and rector) are in the musician's corner, this person will be in great shape. The Youtube is recorded so close to people, too, that it would be hard to get a sound even with professional singers.

You are also very right that it is a challenge to deal with a wide range of musicians (and their experience or lack thereof); however, it is even more so a great opportunity! If you have everyone on the same page, liturgically speaking, or at least "having the conversation" with the support of the bishop, that is very positive. I'll definitely keep this job, diocese, etc., in my prayers! We need to see more of this!

In addition, I know some on this forum probably don't love having the cathedra in the center of the sanctuary, but I think this is one of the more elegant presentations of that arrangement that I've seen.

Thank you, Bruce. I agree completely. My request for charity was not meant to be critical of the quality of the singing (the mics were indeed too close to the singers) but to forestall misplaced criticism. I know well how church musicians tend very easily to descend into snarkiness and nitpicking while losing sight of the bigger picture and I wished to avoid that. In the video, I am in fact the cantor on the Communion chant and this is my Cathedral and Bishop Sample is, I am honoured to say, my Bishop. Thank you for your prayers for us. We are indeed blessed in our Bishop and his insistence on fidelity.

Francis - normally the cathedral choir sings from the choir loft. This was a unique occasion.

i am delighted to see this diocese going in the right direction, and a Bishop who is getting it to happen. we need more of this! bravo!

The ICEL chants may not be the most splendid examples of the genre, but they are simple and therein lies the beauty. Those who are old enough to remember singing chant in their youth remember the requiem. As a starting point for reintroducing chant into the liturgy it seems to be a logical choice. Once the congregation is ready for something more advanced they can still fall back on these for funerals and other occasions where catholics from different parishes come together for worship. My congregation still isn't ready for more ornate ordinaries but for the most part they sing these during Advent, Lent and at funerals in a English or Latin with little griping.

Agreed.

I figured that the ICEL chants were chosen because they correspond to the "minimum repertoire" contained in Jubilate Deo.

I think so much depends on the individual musician. I learned notes and fingering on piano, then went to organ. Organ is what I wanted to study. A good friend went the other way, and developed considerable technique on piano before attempting organ. He is still better on piano, and I play organ better. He's happy, and so am I.

Not needed, all posts welcomed..