Posted 3/7/2023
Job Title:
Choral Section Leader/Cantor
Hours:
Part time
Parish:
Immaculate Conception Talcott Ave
7211 West Talcott Ave
Chicago, IL, 60631
Description:
Immaculate Conception on Talcott Avenue is seeking one Soprano (permanent), Tenor (substitute for the time being) and Bass/Baritone (permanent) section leaders for a Catholic church where I am the Director of Worship. Right on the corner of Harlem and Talcott near the Blue line. $65/per call with a minimum of 3 calls per week. The call fee doubles on Holy Days. Sunday 8:30am Mass (with a brief warmup prior), 9:45am rehearsal, followed by another Mass at 10:30am. There is a Saturday 5:00pm Mass that occasionally requires a single cantor as substitute for the Assistant Director. All singers are welcome to apply.
Ideal candidates will have familiarity with Roman Catholic liturgy, English language and Latin chant styles, rudimentary knowledge of Ecclesiastical Latin diction, and an ability to sing in multiple other styles. As we have a brief warmup and Sunday morning and a rehearsal between our two Sunday Masses (no weeknight rehearsal normally), outstanding sightreading skill are essential.
On occasion, would act as a solo cantor. Music ministry at IC is centered around 5 professional singers with me directing from our Steinway Grand. This is normally a weekly commitment. Absences are allowed with advanced notice so that rep can be based off of who I know will be present any given week. We sing in the sanctuary, not from a loft. Masking is optional.
IC has a state-of-the-art sound system and streaming capabilities. You are also needed for 15-25 additional services per year including: Holy Week/Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve/Day, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and Lenten/Advent Vespers. Our repertoire consists of hymns from Breaking Bread, semi chant-style Psalms and Acclamations from Respond and Acclaim in English, and some Latin chant.
The congregation knows multiple Mass settings. Mass settings generally change every 24 months; however, we do mix and match on occasion. Weekly repertoire is very easy and quite repetitive, especially during Ordinary Time. We try to sing an anthem weekly. Anthems range from sight readable to complex, depending on singer availability and specific event.
We have a weekly violinist and Bass and guitar twice per month. Easter and Christmas feature many different instrumentalists in tandem with the professional vocal ensemble. I am seeking to incorporate the new singers into our current ensemble by mid-May at the latest.
The church is in the vicinity of O’Hare and Park Ridge. A car is highly recommended, as public transportation will not be realistic for anyone not near the Blue line. Occasional wedding and funeral cantor opportunities depending on your availability, for which remuneration is usually $125+.
If you are interested, please email me your resume, and we can set up an audition. Scott Will – Director of Worship swill@icchicago.org www.icchicago.org
Requirements:
See Job Description
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