Now hiring - Music Director

Title: Director of Music Ministry

Reports to: Office Manager

FLSA Status: Full Time, Exempt

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Position Summary:

The Director of Music Ministry is a professional who holds specialized credentials in music and who has a thorough understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy. This person of faith is responsible for the effective planning, coordination, and execution of music within the liturgical celebrations of the parish. He or she is gifted with a vision of how a local Church can develop its potential.

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"Among the many signs and symbols used by the Church to celebrate its faith, music is of preeminent importance...Music should assist the assembled believers to express and share the gift of faith that is within them and strengthen their interior commitment of faith" (Music in Catholic Worship, #23)

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The Director of Music supports and promotes the Pastor's initiatives and decisions regarding the mission and operation of the parish.

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Responsibilities:

Administration:

• Collaborates with the Pastor (or any celebrating priest), under his supervision, and with other members of the parish staff, integrating his or her own area of responsibility with the overall parish endeavor.

• Directs the parish music program, selects and plans music for use in parish liturgies.

• Provides leadership in areas related to liturgical music, e.g., selects and develops participation aids for the congregation, selects and maintains music instruments, coordinates services and schedules of parish musicians, assures copyright permission, etc.

• Prepares and administers the budget for the parish music program, subject to approval of the Pastor and Office Manager.

• Coordinates and ensures appropriate music for all parish sacramental celebrations and provides necessary consultation and assistance.

• Responsible for the use of the projections system during Mass.

• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Pastor or Office Manager.

Worship:

• Provides music and musicians for all Sunday and other major celebrations, including weddings, funerals, etc.

• Performs music at assigned celebrations.

• Builds repertoire and encourages participation of parish community in signing at various liturgies.

• Acts as consultant to parishioners for planning sacramental liturgies , e.g., weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc.

• Introduces new songs to the congregation before Mass.

Educating:

• Invites, motivates, and trains all parish ministers of music (whether volunteer, on stipend, or salaried).

• Provides liturgical formation, music education, and practical preparation for liturgical celebration for cantors/leaders of song, choral, and instrumental groups.

• Serves as a resource consultant for parish concerns regarding music, helping to educate staff, ministers of music, and congregation in developing their potential to understand the role of music in worship and to celebrate liturgies of musical quality.

• Keeps abreast of current developments in liturgy and in music, and directs music ministers to available training workshops, and formational opportunities.

Pastoral Services:

• Is visibly present at principal parish events, keeping attuned to the living faith and real concerns of parishioners.

• Recruits needed musicians, within parish guidelines, and attempts to involve newcomers and a broad spectrum of parishioners.

• Works to foster unity among all parish musicians, and to create a spirit of harmony with the presider and other liturgical ministers.

• Promotes good public relations both within and beyond the parish and is involved in ecumenical, cluster, Deanery, and Archdiocesan networks of professional peers.

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Requirements:

Qualities:

The Director of Music Ministry possesses the qualities common to all pastoral ministers. Effective functioning of this ministry requires, in particular, that the Director of Music is a person of prayer, is sensitive to the cultural experience of parishioners, and understands their spirituality and worship life. The Director of Music must be a Catholic in good standing, VIRTUS trained, and with a clean criminal background check.

Competencies and Skills:

• Is knowledgeable of, and comfortable with, Church music literature in all forms and styles for the congregation, choirs (adult, teen, and children), vocalists, and instrumentalists.

• Is proficient in liturgical principles.

• Has a thorough understanding of the musical, liturgical, and pastoral judgements which must be made in selecting music for liturgy.

• A positive personality that connects with all people and a rive to grow the music ministry.

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in related field or equivalent certification.

• Training for all pastoral ministers in liturgy.

• Availability to work nights and weekends.

• Proficient in organ, piano, choral, and voice.

• Strong verbal and written communications, organizational, multi-tasking and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work in a team environment and has a "Service Mindset" when working with others.

• Able to identify issues and propose recommendations/solutions.