Guest Musicians and Vocalist Policy

St. Hugo of the Hills Guest Organist/Pianist Policy

St. Hugo of the Hills Parish abides by the Code of Ethics of the American Guild of Organists pertaining to guest organists/pianists for weddings and funerals. These services, which are compensated in addition to the staff (incumbent) musicians’ salaries, are a privilege of employment of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish.

Rule 4 of the American Guild of Organists Codes of Ethics states:

Members shall obtain the approval of the incumbent musician before accepting an engagement for a wedding, funeral, or other service requested by a third party. In such cases, the incumbent should receive his/her customary fee, and the third party is expected to provide it. It is the responsibility of the guest member to inform the third party of this rule.

The music staff of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish is expected to be members in good-standing of the American Guild of Organists and is bound by this Code of Ethics. This policy applies to all guest musicians, both members and non-members of the American Guild of Organists. Any violation of this policy by guest musicians will result in the denial of future opportunities to provide services at St. Hugo of the Hills Parish. A grievance will be filed with the appropriate local chapter of the American Guild Organists against any member who violates this policy.

Resident cantors provide vocal leadership for all liturgies at St. Hugo of the Hills Parish. These cantors have been formed and trained to lead worship according to the Church’s liturgical documents and the specific needs of parish community. Guest vocalists, at the discretion of the music staff, may sing a solo during the Prelude or Presentation of the Gifts, or other appropriate time as to not interfere with the full, conscious and active participation of the assembly. A cantor from St. Hugo of the Hills Parish will sing the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, Mass Ordinary and other ritual music. Since St. Hugo of the Hills Parish has a very active liturgical and musical rehearsal schedule, practice time with one of the staff musicians is limited to one hour prior to the liturgy, or at another time subject to availability of the music staff.