Cathedral Organist

The Cathedral of the Incarnation, Nashville Tennessee, is seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Full-Time Cathedral Organist to join our music ministry. We are looking for an individual with advanced academic training and a passion for sacred music to enrich our Sacred Liturgies and community outreach.

The Cathedral Organist will play a pivotal role in leading congregational singing, accompanying the Cathedral Choir, providing inspiring organ voluntaries, and contributing to special musical events throughout the year. This is a unique opportunity to apply your talents with a fine instrument in a historic and acoustically rich environment.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree or higher in Organ Performance, Sacred Music, or a related field from an accredited institution, or correlative accreditation (e.g., AGO Certifications).
• Demonstrated excellence in organ performance, service playing, and improvisation.
• Familiarity with the requirements of service playing in a strong Liturgical Tradition (ideally Catholic playing experience).
• Ability to assist with choral direction on occasion.
• Strong collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively with clergy, staff, and volunteers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Employment in the Diocese of Nashville requires a background check and completion of the Diocese mandated Safe Environment Training.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the principal organist for four regular Sunday Masses (including the Saturday evening anticipated Mass), Holy Day Masses, and special liturgies.
• Accompany the Cathedral Choir during rehearsals and services.
• Collaborate with the Director of Music in planning and executing quality musical programming.
• Prepare and perform organ voluntaries and other liturgical music to a high standard.
• Coordinate all music for a significant number of weddings held in the Cathedral each year. The Organist receives an additional fee for playing at weddings or may engage other qualified organists in their place.
• The Organist may be asked to play for some funerals, at an additional fee.
• The Organist plays for Diocesan Liturgies; some are required of the position, some are optional. In either case there is an additional fee paid to the Organist.
• Participate in outreach initiatives that promote the Cathedral's music program within the wider community.
• Assist in the curation of the Cathedral's pipe organ in collaboration with the Director of Music and professional technicians.

Musical style and repertoire:

• The Liturgical repertoire of the Cathedral is fundamentally Traditional in style, consisting of:
o Organ-based congregational hymnody and Mass Ordinary Settings.
o Simpler Chant- and Plainsong-style settings, for choir and/or congregation, generally accompanied (organ).
o Choral Anthems representing a range of style periods and various levels of difficulty, with organ (if accompanied).
• The piano is used with the choir on occasion in concert repertoire.
• Weddings and Funerals may encompass a broader range of musical styles, including more-contemporary selections, and the piano might sometimes be played, at the organist's discretion.

Instruments:

• The Cathedral's 45-rank Goulding and Wood pipe organ was installed in 2023/2025. The organ comprises Great, Swell, Solo, Sanctuary and Pedal divisions. Complete, twin consoles are located in the rear Gallery and at the front of the Nave, near the Sanctuary.
• There is a Yamaha C3 grand piano in the church, and a Yamaha U1 upright in the choir rehearsal room.
• A Rodgers 960 3-manual digital organ is located in the Education Building, to which the organist has essentially unlimited access for practice or for teaching.

Salary:

• The annual salary range for this position begins at $60,000 and will ultimately be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Weddings (50+/year), Funerals (<20/year), and Diocesan Liturgies (varies) all carry additional fees and will add substantially to the organist's income, should they elect to take advantage of all available playing opportunities.
• Full Diocese of Nashville benefits are available.

Additional Information:

Please contact Jackson Schoos, Director of Music at [email protected] for a complete job description, specifications of the organ, and an explanation of the application/audition process.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a list of references and/or two letters of recommendation and any supporting materials you wish (video or audio recordings, digital copies of service orders or concert programs, etc.) to Jackson Schoos at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming a talented and committed individual to our Cathedral team.