The Director of Sacred Music is a full-time position (40 hours per week) and reports to the Pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish and the Parish Manager.
The Director is responsible for the planning and execution of the parish’s sacred music program, especially the sacred music used at Sunday and Holy Day Masses, school Masses, funerals, weddings, and other liturgical celebrations. The Director reviews all liturgical music programs, procedures, and budgets for parish music programs in close collaboration with the Pastor.
The Director recruits, rehearses, and directs parish volunteer choirs while fostering an appreciation and understanding of sacred music throughout the parish community.
Responsibilities
- Promote and foster the development of an authentic liturgical music culture at the parish, recognizing sacred music’s essential role in Catholic liturgical ministry and ensuring it is an integral part of the spiritual life of the parish.
- Encourage and promote the “fully conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations” called for by the Second Vatican Council, ensuring the parish’s sacred music program serves the entire parish community—from children to senior adults.
- Regularly educate the parish about the Roman Catholic sacred music repertoire and cultivate an appreciation for the richness and beauty of the Church’s musical tradition.
- Recruit, audition, rehearse, and direct all parish choirs while building greater parish participation through music as part of the parish’s mission of discipleship.
- Serve as organist/pianist and choir director for all Sunday Masses, including the Saturday Vigil Mass, Holy Days of Obligation, Christmas Midnight Mass, Holy Week liturgies, and school Masses.
- Collaborate with the Pastor to periodically review sacred music selections for Sunday and Holy Day Masses, funerals, weddings, and school liturgies to ensure they are consistent with the liturgical norms of the Roman Rite.
- Schedule and coordinate music for all parish funerals.
- Hire and supervise cantors and instrumentalists for special liturgical celebrations as needed.
- Plan sacred music for additional liturgical celebrations including:
- Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction
- Lessons and Carols
- Devotions
- Prayer services
- First Reconciliation
- Other parish liturgies as needed
- Perform administrative duties, including preparing worship aids and musical inserts.
- Oversee the maintenance of the parish organ, piano, and other musical instruments.
- Ensure the proper operation of the church sound system.
- Prepare and manage the annual music ministry budget.
- Participate in periodic performance reviews with the Pastor.
- Organize concerts and other musical events showcasing the Church’s sacred musical patrimony and appropriate classical repertoire, potentially in collaboration with area musicians.
- Work with school choirs to introduce students to the Church’s sacred music tradition and integrate them into parish liturgical celebrations while serving as organist/pianist for weekly school Masses.
- Observe national and diocesan policies regarding youth ministry and religious education.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Accountability
The Director of Sacred Music is accountable to the Pastor and Parish Manager.
Office hours will be determined collaboratively and remain flexible to accommodate evening and weekend liturgical responsibilities.
Attendance at weekly parish staff meetings is expected.
Salary and Benefits
- Salary and benefits are commensurate with education and experience in accordance with parish and diocesan policies.
- Weddings and funerals are compensated separately. The Director has the right of first refusal for both.
- Professional development opportunities are available.
- Vacation leave is provided in accordance with parish policy.
Minimum Qualifications
- Practicing Catholic registered in his or her parish
- Bachelor’s Degree in Music (Master’s Degree preferred)
- Proficient organist with excellent piano performance ability
- Excellent choral conducting skills
- Strong vocal ability
- Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals of varying liturgical musical perspectives while remaining faithful to the Church’s teachings
- Pastoral experience working with diverse parish communities
- Working familiarity with the twentieth-century Catholic Liturgical Movement
- Thorough knowledge of Church documents concerning the Eucharist and sacred music, including:
- Tra le Sollecitudini
- Sacrosanctum Concilium
- Musicam Sacram
- Chirograph of Pope St. John Paul II
- Sacramentum Caritatis
- General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)
- USCCB’s Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship
- Catholic Hymnody at the Service of the Church
- Familiarity with the full breadth of Catholic sacred music, including chant, polyphony, and contemporary sacred compositions
- Knowledge of the Church’s rich musical, liturgical, and devotional heritage
- Demonstrated ability to distinguish music appropriate for the Sacred Liturgy from music appropriate for non-liturgical gatherings
- Working knowledge of Latin and the guidance of the Second Vatican Council and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding its use in the liturgy
Preferred Qualifications
- A fervent disciple of Jesus Christ committed to the Church’s mission of evangelization
- Passion for developing a vibrant parish music ministry
- Outstanding organ and piano performance skills
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, inspire, and retain volunteers
- Membership in one or more professional organizations, including:
- Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
- National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM)
- American Guild of Organists (AGO)
- Association of Franciscan Parish Choirs (AFPC)
- American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
- Ability to collaborate with musicians throughout the local community
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter and résumé to:
Meghan Brennan
📧 [email protected]
Applicants should also complete the diocesan employment application.