Job Opportunities

Cantor

Messiah Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA has an opening for a liturgical musician. The position presently combines the roles of Organist, Choir Director, and Liturgical Educator into the Office of Cantor.
The Cantor is chiefly responsible for providing music for the worship life of the congregation within a team environment under the supervision of the Pastor. Duties include recommending organ, choral and chime music appropriate to lectionary and liturgical calendar themes; planning and playing for worship services; providing choir direction; and coordinating liturgical education.

Both the compensation package and scheduling flexibility are negotiable based upon experience and availability.

If you are interested in applying for the Cantor position, please submit a Letter of Interest and Resume to:

Messiah Lutheran Church Attention: Donald Munford 1800 Oak Street Lebanon, PA 17042

Mr. Munford can be reached at: 717-507-4335, if you have any questions. Applications must be received no later than Friday, 3 September 2010. All applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview with the Personnel Committee as soon as the committee reviews all applications.

Below is the Position Description for the Cantor:

TITLE: OFFICE OF CANTOR

SUPERVISOR: Pastor

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This position combines the roles of Organist, Choir Director and Liturgical Educator into the Office of Cantor. The Cantor works in a team relationship under the supervision of the Pastor in music planning; including weekly hymn selection and liturgical education. The Cantor is chiefly responsible for selecting organ, choral, and chime music appropriate to lectionary and liturgical calendar themes.
The congregation uses The Lutheran Book of Worship (regularly employing Settings I and II) and With One Voice and the Cantor has a well-organized music library. The congregation has one intergenerational vocal choir and an intergenerational choirchime group. Both choirs customarily practice on Wednesday evening, September through December and February through May. Choral and choirchime music is customarily offered September through December and February through Pentecost or Trinity Sunday, depending on calendar dates.

Weekly Eucharist is celebrated at 9 AM Sundays. Additional liturgies are celebrated on Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, through the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter), and on Thanksgiving Eve.

Wedding and funeral liturgies involve additional compensation for the musician according to a fee schedule approved by congregation policy.

Subject to approval by Pastor and Congregation Council, the Cantor may offer private voice, piano and pipe organ instruction as arranged with individual students.

The primary instrument is a well-maintained three-manual Moller pipe organ rebuilt by Cannarsa in the 1970’s and by the Patrick J. Murphy Company in 2004. During the 2004 rebuild the electrical components were completely replaced, a 99 level computer memory for storing up to 28 different registrations per level, and a transposer were installed. Patrick J. Murphy Company presently maintains the organ in accordance with the rebuild contract. The Malmark choirchime set spans three octaves.

DUTIES: The Cantor’s duties may include but are not limited to:

• Performing all duties associated with the direction and rehearsal of the Church choir.
• Scheduling of appropriate choral, organ, keyboard or other musical selections for all liturgies with the concurrence of the Pastor.
• Providing organ music for all regular and occasional services of the congregation; including weddings and funerals, as required by congregation policy, and according to the availability of the Cantor.
• Arranging for a substitute organist when necessary.
• Coordinating the scheduling of regular servicing and maintenance of the Church organ.
• Evaluating and qualifying any other person authorized to use the Church organ.
• Attending all meetings of the Worship and Music Committee, Ex-Officio.
• Performs other duties as the Pastor and/or Congregational Council may require.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education and Training: High School Diploma and formal musical training and/or a minimum of three (3) years experience in Church music are required. A Baccalaureate degree in Music is preferred but not required.
• Skills and Abilities: Must demonstrate proficiency as an organist and validate experience as a choir director.
• Show the ability to work as a team member.
• Professional experience as a Lutheran Church choir director and/or organist is preferred, but not required.

WORK SCHEDULE:

• The Cantor is expected to conduct weekly choir rehearsal(s) in accordance with the provisions of the Messiah Lutheran Church Personnel Policy. The Cantor is expected to provide liturgical leadership at all worship services as the Pastor and/or Messiah Lutheran Church Personnel Policy may require.

POSITION DESCRIPTION REVIEW:

• The Church Personnel Committee Chairperson shall review the Office of Cantor on an annual basis. The Church Personnel Committee will consider all input and feedback (additions, deletions, changes) from the Cantor during this review process.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

• The Pastor shall conduct an annual Performance Review/Evaluation with the Cantor and provide performance feedback.