Kantor

Zion Lutheran Church seeks a Kantor with Christ-centered devotion, a strong commitment to the historic liturgy, and a theology grounded in the Lutheran Confessions to lead the congregation in song.

I.             START DATE

Summer 2025

II.            PRIMARY DUTIES

1)            accompany all liturgies of the church (primarily organ; piano as appropriate);
2)            direct the Kantorei (senior choir);

3)            work with clergy to plan all hymnody and service music;
4)            coordinate and promote musical events (concerts, visiting choirs, etc.)

5)            administer the music program (oversee budgets, licenses, instrument maintenance, etc.)

6)            direct (or oversee) musical programs for youth and children;

7)            direct (or oversee) the handbells and chimes choir.

8)            interpret the Church’s musical heritage to the congregation.

II.            NEW AND CONTINUING GOALS
Zion is ready to support its Kantor in the important tasks of:

1) deepening the congregation’s liturgical practice and appreciation.

2) increasing the congregation’s connection to the broader musical community of Wisconsin.

3) expanding the musical program as resources and time allow.

III.          INSTRUMENTS, HYMNALS, AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

Nave: 49-rank pipe organ (Kegg, 2010)

Chapel: 4-rank pipe organ (Wicks, 1974)

1 Baby Grand Piano (Kawai, 1997)

2 Upright Pianos (Yamaha, 2018; Kawai, 1987)

3-Octave Handbells (Schulmerich, 2023)

3-Octave Handchimes (Malmark, 2016)

Outdoor Carillon with remote keyboard access (Schulmerich, 2024)

Orgelkids Kit (2024)

Various drums and other instruments

The hymnal used is the Lutheran Service Book (LSB), with some materials from The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) and the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW).  The congregation willingly employs guest vocalists and instrumentalists in worship.  It hosts musical concerts, free and open to the public, featuring guest artists.  Wausau has many opportunities for the arts and music, including an active and well-established Conservatory of Music and AGO chapter.  The Kantor who serves at Zion will be able to use its organ and pianos to hold paid lessons for students.

IV.          CONGREGATIONAL ETHOS
Zion has a lively tradition of liturgy and Lutheran church music, having been served in years past by such figures as Paul Bunjes and Carl Schalk, both of whom started their careers at Zion.  The congregation’s most recent Kantor will have served Zion for 11 years at her projected retirement in June 2025.  Zion is committed to a Lutheran confessional approach to ministry and the historic practice of liturgy.  Its background is Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and its members resonate well with that tradition. It is presently an independent congregation of the LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ).  It enjoys chanting the psalms and values a diverse array of good things, from brat fries to Bible studies.  It began development of a classical academy in the autumn of 2024.

V.            COMPENSATION
Zion is committed and ready to support its Kantor at a full-time level, with benefits, in keeping with the Kantor’s education and experience.

VI.          EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND

Zion seeks a Kantor with the minimum of a four-year college-level degree and demonstrated competence in both organ performance and choral direction.  The congregation appreciates master- and doctoral-level degrees in church music or related fields, and it encourages its professional staff to pursue further education.

VII.         TO APPLY
Please send the following items via the postal service or the email address provided below:

1)           An up-to-date resume or CV

2)           Contact information for three references

3)           Recordings of performance in organ and choral direction, if available

4)           A written proposal for prelude, voluntary, postlude, Entrance Hymn, Hymn of the  Day, and Communion Hymns for the following liturgical days, based on the appointed   lessons:

Trinity 14: Proverbs 4:10-23 (Psalm 119:9-16), Galatians 5:16-24, Luke 17:11-19

Septuagesima: Exodus 17:1-7 (Psalm 95:1-9), 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5, Matthew 20:1-16

Easter 2: Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Psalm 33), 1 John 5:4-10, John 20:19-31

From these applications, candidates will be selected and contacted for interview and audition.

VII.         CONTACT INFORMATION

The Rev. Steven K. Gjerde

Zion Lutheran Church

709 N. Sixth Street

Wausau, WI 54403

steven.gjerde@zionlutheranwausau.com

715-848-7286 (church, daytime)