Staff — St. Joseph Shrine Music Program

Director of Music · Since January 1, 2026

Harold Rutila

Director of Music & Organist — Gregorian Chant Schola & St. Philip Neri Boys' Choir

Harold Rutila became Director of Music at St. Joseph Shrine on January 1, 2026, bringing nearly two decades of leadership in volunteer parish and university music programs to the role. He has served the Shrine's music ministry since April 2018 — first as a substitute organist, and from October 2019 as the founding director of the Gregorian Chant Schola and the organist and cantor for Solemn and Sung Vespers on high feasts.

His work at St. Joseph Shrine encompasses the complete range of the music program: the Gregorian Chant Schola, the St. Philip Neri Boys' Choir, the Cappella, and this website — which includes member management, wedding coordination, recruitment, and training modules to support the next generation of musicians and singers at the Shrine.

He is married to his wife Abbey, who he met in the choir program at St. Joseph Shrine. They have two children, Magdalena (4) and Isaac (1).

Musical Background

Jan 2026–present Director of Music, St. Joseph Shrine

Oct 2019–Jan 2026 Director, Gregorian Chant Schola, St. Joseph Shrine — under Michael Semaan

Organist for: Wednesday 12 PM Low Mass, Sunday 9 AM Low Mass, Solemn Vespers on high feasts, and substitute for 11 AM High Mass

Oct 2016–Feb 2018 Organist — Mater Dei Catholic Church (FSSP), Irving, TX, under M. Chase Fowler

2011–2014 Tenor section leader, Purdue University Choir, West Lafayette, IN — under William Griffel and Jeffrey Vallier

2011–2014 Ensemble director and pianist — St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue, West Lafayette, IN

2007–2011 Recruited into the Men's Glee Club; vocal instruction under David Fazzini — Notre Dame Preparatory School, Pontiac, MI

2005–2014 Pianist, organist, and cantor — Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Blanc, MI, under Dr. B. Simon Lee

Played first Mass at age 10.

Age 5–14 Classical piano training

2005–2007: Classical piano study at Flint Institute of Music under G. Donald Kaye

Education

B.S. in Aviation Management, Purdue University (Class of 2014).

Concurrent enrollment in the Purdue University Choir prevented completion of a music minor — an irony he has not forgotten. Coursework included Music Theory I, Music History I & II, and Jazz History. He is currently exploring options for formally completing his academic training in music.

Harold is an FAA Certificated Flight Instructor and ATP certificate holder with several type ratings (CL-65, DC-9, B-737) and maintains concurrent, full-time employment in the commercial aviation sector. He draws on his industry experience with standardization and training in his approach to the formation of well-trained musicians, which is essential to building and sustaining the Shrine's ensembles.

Artistic Interests

Harold particularly enjoys accompanying Gregorian Chant at the organ and organ improvisation. Recent improvisations include the Introduction, at Magnificat, and Postlude from Easter Sunday Vespers 2026. A broad command of hymnody developed since 2005 allows him to serve as organist and cantor from the choir loft across a wide range of liturgical contexts.

Organ Repertoire

⚠ Reminder: this repertoire list is a starting point. Please add additional works before the site goes live.

J. S. Bach

Toccata and Fugue in F major BWV 540

Fuga sopra il Magnificat BWV 733 (No. 6 from Dupré, Œuvres Complètes pour Orgue)

Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier BWV 706 (No. 1 from Dupré, Œuvres Complètes pour Orgue)

Sinfonia from Cantata No. 29 (Wir danken dir, Gott) BWV 29 (No. 34 from Dupré, Œuvres Complètes pour Orgue)

8 Little Preludes and Fugues BWV 553–560 (trad. attr. Bach)

Prelude and Fugue in C major BWV 553

Prelude and Fugue in D minor BWV 554

Prelude and Fugue in E minor BWV 555

Prelude and Fugue in F major BWV 556

Prelude and Fugue in G major BWV 557

Prelude and Fugue in G minor BWV 558

Prelude and Fugue in A minor BWV 559

Prelude and Fugue in B♭ major BWV 560

Improvisation

Skilled organ improvisation in liturgical contexts. Recent examples: Easter Sunday Vespers 2026 — Introduction, at Magnificat, and Postlude.

Hymnody & Accompanying

Broad command of hymnody accumulated since 2005; experienced cantor and organ accompanist from the choir loft. Particular strength in accompanying Gregorian Chant.

Staff & Faculty