Choral Scholar Positions (3 available) – Saint Joseph Catholic Church

Position Summary

Saint Joseph Catholic Church is seeking three Choral Scholars for the 2025–2026 academic year. Choral Scholars provide musical leadership within the Parish Adult Choir, serving as strong singers and role models of professionalism. This position offers valuable ensemble experience in a vibrant parish setting, exposure to a wide range of sacred repertoire, and the opportunity to develop professional experience in sacred music leadership.

Compensation

$2,500 stipend per scholar (per academic year), paid in two lump installments (December 2025 and May 2026). Scholars are expected to commit to the choir’s regular schedule, with reasonable flexibility around academic breaks and exam periods. 

Responsibilities

• Sing weekly with the Parish Adult Choir at the 9:00 am Sunday Mass (except when otherwise noted by the Director of Music).
• Attend Tuesday evening rehearsals (7:00–8:30 pm).
• Participate in special parish liturgies and events (Christmas, Holy Week, Lessons & Carols, Vespers, etc.).
• Additional rehearsals for liturgies and events may be scheduled as needed.
• Offer confident singing and support for volunteer singers in your section.
• Model professionalism, preparation, and excellent ensemble skills.

Qualifications

• College or graduate student in vocal performance, music education, or a related field preferred; other strong singers (including recent graduates) will also be considered.
• Prior choral experience required; ability to sightread music and learn repertoire quickly.
• Familiarity with a range of sacred music styles, including chant, hymnody, polyphony, and contemporary sacred music, is helpful.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to commit fully to the choir’s schedule from September through May.
• Applicants must provide a résumé and one letter of recommendation that addresses professionalism, musical ability, and reliability.

Term of Service

Mid-September 2025 (or upon start date) through Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Application & Audition

• Interested applicants should contact Peter Brown, Director of Music (peter.brown@churchofstjoseph.org | 651-263-8433).
• Optional: A résumé and one letter of recommendation may be submitted to strengthen your application.
• Audition Components:
• 1. Prepared Solo Piece – Classical, sacred, or art song of your choice, sung a cappella (unaccompanied).
• 2. Sight-Reading – Short excerpt provided at the audition.
• 3. Vocal Exercises – Range check, tonal memory, and scales.
• 4. Blend Test – Singing with the Director of Music to assess blend, intonation, and adaptability.
• 5. Brief Interview – Conversation with the Director of Music regarding professionalism, commitment, and fit for the parish choir.
• Auditions for qualified applicants will be ongoing until positions are filled.
  

Alto Staff Singer Opening in St. Paul - Sept 2025

ALTO I - STAFF SINGER OPENING

SEPTEMBER 2025

2025-26 SEASON

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

60 N. KENT ST., ST. PAUL, MN 55102

St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, St. Paul, MN is seeking an ALTO I Staff Singer to begin in the parish choir in September 2025.

Staff singers are paid $73 per call and can expect approximately 90-95 calls per season with additional compensation for concerts and offerings on the Winifred Bean Sacred Music Series. The season runs from September through end of May.

Rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings from 7:15 to 9:15pm and the choir is called at 9am on Sunday mornings in preparation for the 10am Rite II Holy Eucharist. Additional rehearsals and liturgies such as Choral Evensong, Choir Concerts, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, the Annual Staff Singer Recital, and Ecumenical Choral Vespers are outlined in the choir calendar.

The choir is made up of roughly 30 singers with 8 staff singers and has recently led a Choral Evensong Residency at Canterbury and St. Albans Cathedrals in the UK and led a Eucharist for the 2024 National Conference of the Association of Anglican Musicians held in the Twin Cities.

2025-26 Season Highlights include performances of John Rutter's Requiem and Vivaldi's Gloria as well as a visiting choir offering of Choral Evensong at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Minneapolis. The choir retreat will be held in Duluth, MN early September.

Please email Richard Gray, Director of Music, at richard.gray@stjohnsstpaul.org for more information about the position, how to send in materials, and scheduling an audition. (Please note that Richard will be on sabbatical leave from June 1 through September 1 and auditions/interviews will be held outside of that time period.)

Call for Soprano and Alto staff singers

St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Wayzata, MN is currently seeking 1 alto and a 1 soprano staff singer.

These singers will serve to support our 25-30 voice parish choir at the 10:30 AM Mass. They will also join our bass and tenor singers to provide music as a vocal quartet for the 8:30 AM Mass. Rehearsals are held most Wednesdays throughout the pastoral year (Labor Day to Corpus Christi) from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

The fee would be $75 a call.

The start date would be Sunday, April 27th (2nd Sunday of Easter). There may be an opportunity for the soprano to join us for liturgies of the upcoming Triduum if they are available.

Scheduling is flexible to accommodate working musicians, but staff singers are asked to prioritize especially the liturgies during the Christmas Season and the Easter Triduum.

To apply, please email me at jfields@st-barts.org. A resume and a vocal recording, though not required, would be helpful in your initial message to me! Don’t hesitate to send any questions my way.

Thank you!

Justin Fields
Director of Liturgy and Music
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
Wayzata, MN