Director of Music - St Vincent de Paul Parish, Toronto

Musica Sacra; Toronto; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player in the heart of Toronto seeks a passionate Director of Music to enrich the liturgical experience of a vibrant parish. This role offers the opportunity to lead a small choir, enhance musical offerings during major feasts, and collaborate with the local elementary school to foster a love for music among children. With a historic Casavant organ at your disposal, you will play a pivotal role in maintaining its legacy while also bringing fresh creativity to the parish's musical repertoire. If you are musically accomplished and eager to make a significant impact in a community setting, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in directing choirs and liturgical music.
• Ability to enhance the musical repertoire and engage new singers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the parish choir for Sunday and major feasts.
• Nurture the musical culture of the adjacent elementary school.

Skills

Musical Accomplishment

Organ Performance

Choir Leadership

Liturgical Music Knowledge

Creative Development

Education

Degree in Music

Experience in Church Music

Tools

Casavant Organ

Job description

Director of Music - St Vincent de Paul Parish, Toronto

St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, 263 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, ON

The Oratorian Fathers and Brothers of St Philip Neri seek a musically accomplished and creative Director and Organist to inherit and expansively develop the liturgical music of a vibrant parish in Toronto’s west end.

On Sunday, the principal mass is sung in English at 11 am (preceded by two masses without music, in English at 8:30 and a traditional Latin mass at 9:30). The 11 am Mass is presently supported by a small, amateur parish choir which the successful applicant will aim to enrich with both new singers and a more ambitious repertoire.

The major feasts of the liturgical year are typically also celebrated solemnly in the same way as at 11 am on Sundays, and we likewise intend that under the new Director these too will become musically more substantial.

In addition, the successful applicant will be responsible for assisting in nurturing the musical culture of the staff and children of St Vincent de Paul Elementary School, which is situated adjacent to the church, and playing for monthly school Masses. He or she will also have first refusal of playing for weddings and funerals, which will be paid separately.

The organ at St Vincent de Paul is Casavant op. 1462 (II/20), essentially unaltered since its installation in 1932. Benefiting from the generous and resonant acoustic of the church, this instrument nonetheless will require repair and cleaning in the coming years, and the successful applicant will have an important role in directing this project, in conjunction with ongoing repairs to the church and parish hall.

Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and RCCO guidelines. Time commitment is approximately 20 hours per week, with more required during the major liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.

To apply, please submit the following:

1. A cover letter outlining your interest and experience.
2. A resume detailing your qualifications.
3. Contact details for three references.

Send applications via email to the pastor, Fr Daniel Utrecht, at [e-mail] by April 30 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview and audition by May 15 2025.