Job Details

Campus Choir Director

FranU

Baton Rouge, La

The Campus Choir Director will embrace and advance the Catholic, Franciscan mission of the University fostering a vibrant and prayerful sacred music Program that serves the liturgical life of the campus. This position will report to the Vice President for Mission and collaborates closely with the Director of Campus Ministry and other colleagues within Student Affairs to support the spiritual and communal needs of the University through sacred music. #CB

Responsibilities

Job Standards and Performance Expectations

• Mission Advancement
  • Embrace and advance the Catholic, Franciscan mission of the University by promoting sacred music as an integral expression of prayer and worship within the campus community
• Liturgical Music Planning
  • Plan and coordinate music special liturgies in collaboration with the Director of Campus Ministry and celebrants
  • Ensure musical selections align with the liturgical calendar and Church guidelines
• Choral Direction
  • Recruit, audition as appropriate, rehearse, and direct the University choir
  • Foster musical growth, spiritual formation, and community among student members
• Rehearsal Leadership
  • Organize and conduct regular rehearsals that promote technical excellence, liturgical understanding, and active engagement
• Seasonal and Special Liturgies
  • Prepare and direct music for major liturgical and campus celebrations, including but not limited to Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and other University-sponsored liturgical events
• Student Formation
  • Encourage students to understand sacred music as a ministry
  • Promote leadership development within the choir and cultivate a spirit of service and reverence
• Collaborative Partnerships
  • Maintain effective working relationships with Campus Ministry staff, priests, student leaders, and other campus partners to support a unified approach to liturgical life
• Recruitment and Outreach
  • Develop and implement a recruitment strategy for choir members and accompanist(s), drawing participants from the FranU student body while cultivating relationships with local high schools, parish choirs, and community music ministries
  • Collaborate with the Office of Admission and Enrollment Management to support mission-aligned recruitment initiatives and strengthen FranU's presence within the regional community
• Administrative Responsibilities
  • Maintain music library resources, coordinate schedules, and communicate clearly with choir members regarding rehearsals and liturgical commitments
• Other Duties as Assigned
  • Support various liturgical programs, events and administrative tasks aimed at fulfilling institutional goals
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated experience in choral conducting and liturgical music ministry, preferably within a Catholic parish, school or university setting;
• Experience working with college students or young adults, preferred

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution in Music, Sacred Music, Liturgical Studies, or a related field, preferred;
• Equivalent professional experience in Catholic liturgical music may be considered in lieu of formal academic preparation

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time during rehearsals and liturgies;
• Ability to lift and transport light musical equipment and materials, as needed;
• Availability to work evenings and occasional weekends in accordance with rehearsal schedules and campus liturgies

SPECIAL SKILLS

• Strong conducting and rehearsal leadership skills;
• Proficiency in vocal pedagogy and choral technique;
• Working knowledge of Catholic liturgical norms and the Church's musical tradition;
• Ability to select music appropriate to the liturgical season in accordance with the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and other relevant ecclesial documents;
• Competency in keyboard accompaniment, preferred; Excellent collaborative and interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to recruit, form, and retain student musicians;
• Commitment to enhancing the Catholic, Franciscan mission of the University