PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE (Vatican City State) –The Pontifical North American College, an American Roman Catholic Seminary located in the Vatican City State, is accepting résumés in anticipation of a potential opening for a Full Time Director of Liturgical Music commencing in the fall, 2013. In addition to directing the Seminary Choir (TTBB, 35 to 40 members), the Director of Liturgical Music will also be responsible for the training and administration of Gregorian chant scholas (10 to 15 members), the cantoring program, the house organist schedule, planning and preparation for Sunday and weekday celebrations of Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours, preparation of programs related to the liturgy, liturgical music instruction of the seminary community, individual training in the presidential chants of the Liturgy, and other liturgical music/instruction as needed for celebration in the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms. They will also be expected to serve as organist for some liturgies, organist responsibilities being shared with seminarian organists. Occasional assistance at the Casa Santa Maria, the graduate residence of the Pontifical North American College, will also be required. The Director of Liturgical Music will work under the direction of the Director of Liturgical Formation. Qualifications will include at least a Master’s Degree in organ and/or church music, excellent conducting skills and experience, mastery of the organ, extensive knowledge of Gregorian chant and the sacred choral repertoire, a familiarity with English plainsong resources, an understanding of and familiarity with the liturgical tradition and documents of the Roman Catholic Church, and effective pedagogical and communication skills.
The College is home to two organs: a 63 rank, 3 manual Mascioni organ in the main chapel, and a 6 rank, one manual Wech organ in the crypt chapel. The Casa Santa Maria also houses a 10 rank Cavaillé-Coll organ.
Besides a base salary and medical benefits, housing will also be provided in an apartment at the College, which is close to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Please send cover letter, resume, at least three references, and two recordings—one organ piece and one choral piece both in Mp3 format— to Fr. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., Director of Liturgical Formation, at kbelsole@pnac.org.
Director of Liturgical Music (anticipated opening), Pontifical North American College, Rome, Italy
The jobs section of the MusicaSacra.com forum includes a push for a new director of music at the NAC. It is a sign of how much everything has changed in the last ten years. There’s no going back.