What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cantor position at Archdiocese of St. Louis?
The Archdiocese of St. Louis strives to teach and share our faith, serve others, and foster unity throughout the St. Louis area. Once a part of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary's campus, the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury, MO is today the headquarters and curia (governing body) for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Job Summary
The Cantor serves as a leader of sung prayer within the liturgical life of the parish, fostering the full, conscious, and active participation of the congregation through music and the proclamation of the Responsorial Psalm and other sung parts of the Mass. This role combines musical ability with a strong understanding of Catholic liturgy and a commitment to serving as a visible witness to faith. The Cantor guides the assembly in prayer through reverent, confident, and engaging musical leadership.
Job Responsibilities
- Lead congregational singing at weekend Masses, holy days, weddings, funerals, and other liturgical celebrations as assigned.
- Proclaim the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation with clarity, reverence, and musical proficiency.
- Collaborate with the Music Director and clergy to select appropriate liturgical music that reflects the Scripture readings, liturgical season, and guidelines of the Catholic Church.
- Attend scheduled rehearsals and prepare assigned music in advance of each liturgy.
- Encourage and support the active participation of the assembly through confident, prayerful leadership.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Catholic liturgy and the Cantor's role as a minister of sung prayer rather than a performer.
- Participate in ongoing formation, including vocal development and liturgical education, as recommended by the parish or Archdiocese.
- Maintain a professional and prayerful presence through appropriate demeanor, attire, communication, and conduct.
- Fulfill other related duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
- Strong vocal ability, including clear diction, accurate intonation, and expressive interpretation appropriate for liturgical music.
- Basic music-reading skills and familiarity with Catholic liturgical repertoire.
- Knowledge of Catholic liturgy, including the structure of the Mass and the liturgical calendar.
- Ability to lead congregational singing confidently and prayerfully, both a cappella and with accompaniment.
- Reliability, punctuality, and a commitment to preparation and rehearsal.
- A strong sense of faith and a desire to serve the worshiping community.
- Previous experience as a cantor or liturgical musician preferred.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, parental, veteran or disability status.
Pre-Employment Screening
All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screening will include criminal background check, Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, employment and educational licensure/certification verification, health screening, and any other screenings deemed necessary for employment. Any offer would be contingent upon successful completion of any required screening.
Our Mission
We are a unique community—diverse in our talent, but unified in our drive to create together, face challenges together and grow together. Our values push us to empower, propel and inspire new ways of turning possibilities into realities. Our competencies define the behaviors that guide who we are, how we are inspired and how we inspire of others to succeed.
Benefits
Work/life balance is so important to the archdiocese. After all, our business is about making life easier and better—and we want that for you and your career just as much as our consumers and their day-to-day lives. That’s why we offer flexible working times, remote working options, generous paid vacation increasing with service, and personal leaves of absence.
As well as being able to make the most of life at home, you’ll also be able to contribute to the Archdiocese sponsored volunteer events. You can discover more about who we’re working with near you, and you can always ask us more about this at events and interviews—we love to see how passionate our people are about giving back.
Benefits:
Health Insurance, 401K Plan, Vacation & Paid Time OffSalary : $42,880 - $68,913