Director of Music – Job Description

Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal

Who we are:

Set in the heart of Montreal, Christ Church Cathedral is a diverse and inclusive community, welcoming people of all cultural backgrounds, ages, life experiences, genders and sexual orientations and valuing the rich spiritual gifts they bring. The members of the Cathedral community have expressed a strong appreciation for the Anglican tradition of choral music and an openness to new and creative ways of taking that tradition into the future. We are therefore looking for a new Director of Music with experience, creative ideas and leadership qualities, who would like to become part of the Cathedral community.

Role summary:

The Director of Music works under the direction of the Dean of the Cathedral and is responsible for developing and directing the musical aspects of the Cathedral’s liturgical program in collaboration with the clergy. As such, the Director is responsible for the choir, choral scholars and the organ assistant and organ scholar programs, as well as ensuring the maintenance and development of the Cathedral’s material musical assets. The new Director of Music will combine a depth of knowledge of liturgical music traditions and practical experience with creativity and vision to fashion the Cathedral’s music ministry for years to come.

Skills and experience:

Required

• Excellent music skills as a choir conductor.
• Excellent organist skills, to the Royal Canadian College of Organists’ FRCCO standard or equivalent, including good liturgical improvisation skills.
• Pedagogical skills and experience working with adult choirs and musicians.
• Openness to integrating works from other liturgical and cultural origins to reflect the diversity and inclusivity of the cathedral's community, our city, and our international visitors.
• A team player, able to work cooperatively with the clergy and others in planning the liturgical year.
• Excellent communication skills and a passion for sharing music and music education with the whole cathedral community and as part of our outreach ministry.
• Organizational and management skills. Proficiency with communication technology (email, social media, zoom).

Preferred

• Three years experience as the director of music in another parish or cathedral.
• Working knowledge of the Anglican or closely related liturgical tradition, and the role of music within it; commitment to maintain and expand that tradition.
• Fundraising experience in order to support the work and development of the music department.
• Interest in working with children and developing single events and/or ongoing programs for them would be an asset.
• The Cathedral is striving to be bilingual. It is highly desirable that our director of music be or become reasonably comfortable in both English and French. We will be pleased to assist in this process.

Responsibilities:

Liturgical responsibilities

• Meets regularly with members of the clergy to plan weekly services and the liturgical seasons.
• Chooses all liturgical music, in consultation with the Dean, other clergy and/or committees as appropriate:

• Normally the choral Eucharist and Evensong settings, anthems, psalms, litanies, all hymns – this includes music for all regular and special Sundays, and special events such as festivals, carol services and Holy Week liturgies.

Responsibilities for the choir, assistant organist, organ scholar, and choral scholars

• Trains and develops the choir by conducting regular rehearsals.
• Organizes and provides singing schedules and music lists to choristers.
• Recruits and supervises the work of the professional and volunteer singers.
• Supervises and organizes the work of the Assistant Organist and Organ Scholar.
• Oversees and advises other regular musicians, as appropriate.
• Sees to the efficient and harmonious functioning of all Cathedral musicians and their integration into their liturgical and Cathedral duties.

Musical responsibilities

• Prepares and performs music for all services and/or provides opportunity for the assistant organists to perform as appropriate.
• Provides music for occasional Diocesan events, working with the Bishop and the diocesan Liturgical Officer.
• Ensures that there is someone available to provide music, if required, for all weddings, funerals and other similar occasional offices in the Cathedral. Fees for these services shall be above regular salary.
• Recruits and supervises professional and volunteer instrumentalists for special services, when appropriate and within the music budget.
• Occasionally works with Cathedral groups, such as dancers or dramatic readers, when liturgical music is required.
• Occasionally contributes to and helps plan special events as organist or conductor (Journées de la culture, Nuit blanche, Sing-Along Messiah, Pride Mass, etc.).

Administrative responsibilities

• Provides liturgical musical information, as appropriate, to the Cathedral administrator for inclusion in weekly and special bulletins, and to publicise on social media.
• Ensures compliance with copyright and licensing laws as administered by SOCAN, CCLI or any other international performance rights organization, as appropriate.
• Manages the music budget.
• Works with the Cathedral administrator and bookkeeper to schedule payments for musicians.

Work with committees

• Music Committee: Works with the Music Committee on developing music in the Cathedral, including outreach and educational opportunities, and associated fundraising efforts if necessary.
• Cathedral Forum: Reports periodically on the music program to the regular meetings of Cathedral Forum and writes a yearly report for inclusion in the Cathedral's annual report to Vestry.
• Corporation: In conjunction with the Corporation, gives input on the ongoing development of concert series and concert rental projects as appropriate.

Responsibility for the material music assets

• Oversees the maintenance of the music library, adding to it within the limits of the budget.
• Oversees the care of the church organs, pianos and other church instruments and makes recommendations regarding maintenance and repair.
  

Status:

This is a 30 hours per week position. The Cathedral follows the Royal Canadian College of Organists‘ recommended pay scale. Additional benefits are available (health and dental coverage, life insurance and pension plan).

Applications:

Interested candidates should send a letter of application indicating their interest in the position, a completed application form, a curriculum vitae, and the names of three references.

Longlisted candidates will be asked to send a link to a video of themselves performing the following pieces: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland BWV661 by Bach and one modern or contemporary work of their choice, which could also be a choral performance which they are conducting, prior to a possible Zoom interview. The shortlisted candidates will be invited to a final in-person interview scheduled for late May or early June 2025. Referees will be contacted at that point.

This position is subject to a satisfactory police check.

Anticipated start date will be around August 15, 2025, subject to negotiations.

Please send applications to:

The Very Rev’d Bertrand Olivier
Dean, Christ Church Cathedral
E-mail: bertrand.olivier@montrealcathedral.ca

Application deadline: April 25th, 2025, at midday.