Church of Saint Thomas More
Music Director

Introduction to Music at the Church of Saint Thomas More

The Church of St. Thomas More started out as the Episcopal ‘Church of the Beloved Disciple’ whose corner stone was laid on All Saints Day in 1870. In 1929 it became the home of ‘The Reformed Church of Harlem’ and served the Dutch Reform congregation of New York until 1949. In 1950, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, under the episcopacy of Francis Cardinal Spellman, sought to the establish a new parish on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. A successful negotiation with the Reformed Church of Harlem led to the acquisition of the property at 65 East 89th Street. On July 9th, 1950, Bishop Joseph P. Donahue, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York, consecrated a new parish and rededicated it as the Church of St. Thomas More. The Parish maintains a distinguished music program which includes both liturgies and concerts.

The Main Organ is a Two-manual 23 stop instrument built by Lively-Fulcher of Washington, D.C..

We seek a Music Director who will have responsibility for overseeing all facets of the music program, including supervision of all full and part-time music staff.

Liturgical Music Program

St. Thomas More Church has an active music program which provides music for six masses each weekend, as well as solemnities, confirmations, first communions, weddings and funerals throughout the year.

The Music Director must be a liturgical musician and an accomplished organist. The candidate must understand Catholic liturgical worship and the role that music plays in it. The music program should be fully integrated into the pastoral and spiritual mission of the Parish.

Saint Thomas More’s Liturgical Music Program is renowned for its excellence and broad classical scope. The candidate must demonstrate a commitment to the largely traditional liturgical music for which the Parish is known. By “traditional”, we do not mean to exclude outstanding twentieth century and contemporary composers.

Presently, the choral component of the music program—the Saint Thomas More Choir—comprises four professional vocal soloists: two Sopranos, a Tenor and a Baritone. They lead the music of the liturgy at the 10:00 and 11:15 a.m. Masses each Sunday from October through May, as well as the major solemnities of the liturgical year. As solo cantors, they provide leadership at the 5:45 and 12:30 p.m. masses each weekend and during the summer, as well as at wedding and funeral masses.

Professional Qualifications

Applicants for the position of Music Director must:

• Have a Master of Music degree or commensurate professional experience.
• Demonstrate familiarity with and commitment to Catholic worship and an understanding of the role of music in Catholic liturgy.
• Have experience in choral directing, vocal coaching, and directing instrumental ensembles.
• Be a proficient organist with commensurate repertoire and improvisation skills.
• Have an ability to work well with professional and volunteer musicians.
• Be committed to collaborative leadership.

Accountability

• The Music Director reports to the Pastor.

Salary

Salary to meet AGO standards.

Job Description

Music Program Responsibilities

Liturgical Music Program

1. Program, organize, rehearse and conduct music for liturgical services during the church
year in collaboration with the Pastor, the Music Staff and/or other members of the Parish
Staff. The Music Director has primary responsibility for:
 Programming masses on weekends and principal feasts of the Church, including
Christmas, Holy Week and Easter, and Holy Days of Obligation.
 Conducting and managing the Professional Choir of St. Thomas More, including their
participation at various liturgies throughout the year.
2. Manage the Music Program with the objective of finding new ways to enhance
congregational participation.
3. Play at parish weddings and funerals.

Administrative Responsibilities

1. Manage the Music Department.
2. Work with the professional and pastoral staff of the Parish. This includes, but is not limited
to, coordinating with the staff of the Church to ensure a smooth coexistence of the
music program in relation to other programs of the Parish (e.g. ongoing consultation with
the catechetical program with regard to its liturgies for children) and working with the
Pastor and/or certain Finance/Advisory committee members to:
 Prepare an annual budget for all facets of the Music Program in consultation with the Pastor and Office Manager
 establish prices for the concert series and services.
3. Oversee management of the choral music library.
4. Participate in parish staff meetings and other meetings pertaining to the musical programs
of the Parish.
5. Ensure that the income and expense budget is maintained.
6. Be available to assist any fund-raising efforts to support the Music Program.

Application Procedure

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, entire repertoire list to:

Music Director Search Committee
Church of St. Thomas More
65 East 89th Street
New York, NY 10128

Applications via e-mail may be sent to stmbusiness@gmail.com

Resume should include:
 Academic and professional training
 Previous positions and duration
 Professional affiliations
 Three current references

Evaluation of promising candidates may include:
 Interviews
 Request for sample work in the form of video and/or audio recordings
 Auditions, with requirements to be provided at a later date

Closing date for applications is March 30, 2012.