Cantor

Mount Olive Lutheran Church (ELCA) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, seeks to call a full-time
Cantor, inclusive of rostered and non-rostered individuals. The person who is called will be only the fourth Cantor in the congregation’s 115-year history, following in the path of Paul Manz, Mark Sedio, and David Cherwien.

The Cantor of Mount Olive is a primary worship leader and liturgist, leading and enabling the
congregation’s song. Roles include organist, director of choral and instrumental ensembles, and educator.

Position Description
Primary Duties
❖ Partner and collaborate with the Pastor of Mount Olive in leading and planning the worship life of Mount Olive, including all regularly scheduled services, weddings, funerals, and other worship events.
❖ Proclaim with music and song the Word of God as revealed in Scripture and expounded in the Confession of Faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
❖ Inspire, guide, and nurture the musical talents and participation of all members of Mount Olive so that the fellowship of this community of believers may be strengthened and increased.
❖ Cultivate Mount Olive’s rich tradition of musical worship, centered in Word and Sacrament,
which illuminates faith and honors our distinct Lutheran commitment to liturgy and song.
❖ Prepare liturgically and theologically appropriate music for the organ, Cantorei, other choirs,
soloists, and other instrumentalists.
❖ Maintain Mount Olive’s rich tradition in Lutheran hymnody through a commitment to the
preservation and growth of hymnody in general and Lutheran hymnody in particular.
❖ Lead the congregation in song as a gifted, skilled, and trained organist.
○ Play the organ as the primary instrument in leading the congregation in worship.
○ Bring passion and excitement to hymn singing by improvising hymn introductions and
accompaniments, and freely improvise at appropriate times during the service.
○ Play classical organ literature at appropriate times, such as the prelude and postlude of the
liturgy.
❖ Select or compose appropriate anthems, psalm settings, hymn arrangements, and other service music.
❖ Organize, host, and lead organ recitals, and hymn festivals, and other choral and instrumental events at Mount Olive.
❖ Serve as a proper steward in coordinating the care and maintenance of the organ and other musical instruments, the music library, and other music assets owned by Mount Olive, and prepare a report each year detailing the condition of all instruments and other music assets and specifying necessary maintenance and anticipated expenditures.
❖ Advance the capability of Mount Olive’s music ministries to enkindle and deepen faith,
recognizing that our music tradition is not merely for entertainment or aesthetic diversion.
❖ Direct and accompany the Mount Olive Cantorei (the adult choir), coordinate the children’s choirs, and be responsible for soloists and other ensembles.
❖ Empower the Cantorei and other musicians to understand themselves as worship leaders.
❖ Recruit and facilitate participation in Mount Olive’s music ministries from all age groups within the congregation.
❖ Coordinate and lead Mount Olive’s music education ministry:
○ Develop and lead music education programs for children, youth, and adults in the
congregation and neighborhood.
○ Assist the Sunday School staff to educate children in the music of worship consistent with
Mount Olive’s traditions.
❖ Support other music education activities consistent with Mount Olive’s commitment as a musical, liturgical, and welcoming congregation of the ELCA, such as liturgy workshops and hymn clinics.
❖ Participate fully in the life of Mount Olive, be committed to professional growth, and give
attention to personal spiritual, emotional, and physical health.

Required Qualifications
❖ Accomplished organist and accompanist with a broad repertoire with extensive experience in
leading congregational worship and singing
❖ Skillful in liturgical improvisation, sight-reading and transposition
❖ Demonstrated ability as a choral director
❖ Ability to lead choir and congregation in worship from the organ bench
❖ Demonstrate familiarity with
○ traditional Lutheran liturgy
○ the historic Western mass
○ the liturgies of the ELCA and predecessor churches
○ current worship resources
❖ Have a deep knowledge of Lutheran hymnody
❖ Awareness of and respect for the liturgical history and practices of Mount Olive Lutheran Church
❖ Have wide-ranging and informed musical interests and experience
❖ Display an imaginative and creative approach to music in worship
❖ Ability to work with organ technician to facilitate appropriate organ maintenance
❖ Display a consistently professional attitude
❖ Be supportive of all colleagues and be able to work collaboratively as part of a team
❖ Have proven organization, prioritization, and time management skills
❖ Have confident, clear, and effective communication skills
❖ Demonstrated ability to engage and empower others
❖ Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications
❖ Graduate degree or equivalent high-level professional musical experience
❖ Ability to share and present educational topics
❖ Experience with children and youth music development
❖ Skilled at composition
❖ Facility with music composition software
❖ Language proficiency in Spanish

Application Process
Mount Olive Lutheran Church has elected a Cantor Call Committee to perform a formal search and evaluation of applicants, ultimately resulting in a vote by the congregation on the final Letter of Call that will be offered to the next Cantor.

To submit your application for this position, please use the website below to submit your information and upload a cover letter and resume or CV. The application process is open from December 15, 2024 until January 31, 2025.

The call process does take time and considerable discernment. The Committee reserves the right to ask for additional information of selected candidates as needed.

The Mount Olive Lutheran Church Call Committee is committed to non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or age.