Interim Choir Director

About the Role

Holy Childhood Parish seeks an Interim Choir Director from December 1, 2026, through Pentecost, May 16, 2027. The primary responsibility is to conduct the choir during rehearsals and Mass, providing clear entrances, cutoffs, and a steady tempo while coordinating closely with the Director of Sacred Music, who also serves as parish organist. The position also assists with repertoire planning, music preparation, and routine choir administration.

Our choir has 16 singers, including 11 paid singers and 5 volunteers. We sing a mix of chant, traditional carols, and choral music by composers such as Gounod, Vaughan Williams, Pietro Yon, and Paul Manz. This year’s Christmas and Easter Masses will feature music by Henri Nibelle and Mozart with orchestra. Music is already selected through Epiphany, so the first few weeks will focus on rehearsing and conducting those pieces. After that, we’ll choose music together from the parish’s large library, continuing familiar favorites while welcoming occasional new pieces.

Position Title: Interim Choir Director
Start Date: December 1, 2026
End Date: May 16, 2027, with the possibility of transitioning to a full-time role for the following choir season.
Status: Exempt - Part-time - Creative Professional - No Benefits
Report to: Pastor
Provides work direction to: Choir members and musicians participating with the choir
Receives work direction from: The Director of Sacred Music, in collaboration with choir board leadership.
Hours hired to work: Approximately 5-6 hours per week, including rehearsals, Mass, preparation, and choir administration
Salary: $40/hour

Regular schedule

• Wednesday choir rehearsal, 7:00-8:30 p.m., with time before and afterward to prepare and put away music.
• Sunday Mass, 9:15-10:15 a.m., followed by a 30-minute choir rehearsal when scheduled. Arrive early enough to lay out music before singers arrive around 8:45-8:50 a.m.; allow time afterward to collect and put away materials.
• Christmas Eve and Holy Week availability is required. Christmas Eve Mass time is to be confirmed; Mass will last approximately 90 minutes. Additional holiday hours and compensation will be agreed upon in advance; rehearsal days may occasionally change.

This position focuses on the choir. Regular organ accompaniment, Saturday Mass, weddings, and funerals are outside its assigned responsibilities.

Main responsibilities

• Conduct weekly choir rehearsals, Sunday Mass, and designated seasonal liturgies, providing clear entrances, cutoffs, and a steady tempo to keep the choir and organist together
• Plan and lead efficient rehearsals, with clear priorities, productive pacing, and attention to vocal technique, diction, balance, and musical expression.
• Plan repertoire with the Director of Sacred Music and a choir board representative, drawing primarily from
  the parish library and established traditions. The Director of Sacred Music retains final approval of music selections.
• Study and prepare scores, plan rehearsal priorities, and communicate music selections and rehearsal needs to the organist and choir in advance.
• Take attendance and submit choir time sheets to the designated parish staff member for payment processing. Prepare, distribute, collect, and file choir music, keeping folders and rehearsal materials organized.
• Communicate rehearsal schedules, Mass times, and changes promptly, in coordination with parish staff.
• Coordinate choir preparation for Christmas and Easter orchestral Masses with the organist and those
  arranging instrumental musicians.

Employment in the Church
Employment in and by the Church is substantially different from secular employment. Church employees must conduct themselves in a manner which is consistent with and supportive of the mission and purpose of the Church.

Their behavior must not violate the faith, morals or laws of the Church or the Archdiocese, such that it can embarrass the Church or give rise to scandal.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting a choir and leading rehearsals. Relevant practical experience and musical training
  are welcome; no specific degree is required.
• Strong conducting and score-reading skills, including the ability to establish and maintain tempo, give clear
  cues, and coordinate singers with organ accompaniment.
• Knowledge of Roman Catholic liturgy and the role of sacred music in worship, with the ability to select
  suitable repertoire.
• Reliable preparation, organization, communication, and follow-through; a respectful and encouraging
  approach to working with singers and parish staff.
• Organ proficiency is strongly preferred, particularly for candidates interested in a continuing role beyond the
  interim appointment.

Please submit a résumé to Annabel, Parish Director, at ariley@maternityofmary.org. Applications and
questions may be sent to the same address.