Director of Sacred Music

Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000

Benefits: As a full-time employee you are eligible for health and dental coverage, 403(b) plan, HSA, and flexible spending accounts, subject to plan terms.

Purpose of Position: Collaborate with the Pastor to provide beautiful, sacred music in service of Divine worship, particularly the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Director of Sacred Music will plan, conduct, and serve as organist at assigned weekend Masses, Weddings, Funerals, special Sacramental events and a few Sacred Concerts. Provide professional instruction and direction to musicians and Choral groups, including youth choir. Perform duties and procedures in an effective manner, while working cooperatively with other staff members to provide for an efficient, organized, safe and effective environment in keeping with the mission of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Musical Responsibilities

* As the Organist and Choir Director, directs all aspects of the parish sacred music program in support of the Pastor in his role as the principle Liturgist of the parish

* Organist: Responsible as the primary organ accompanist at Holy Mass for Saturday evening, Sunday morning, Holy Day of Obligation, select Solemnities and Feasts, Funerals, Weddings (separate stipend provided for weddings), Ash Wednesday, 1st Friday 8am Mass, 1st Saturday 8am Mass and other liturgical events

* Help organize, plan, and prepare for all special liturgies: Para-liturgies (processions, blessings, etc.); Day of Mercy confession event

* Choir Director: Conduct (often from the organ) Schola Cantorum (Professional Quartet), Adult Parish Choir and Youth Choir

* Provide direction, supervision, on-going support, timely communications and music needs as addressed for these choral groups

* Direct and lead weekly rehearsals of choirs

* Oversee music selection in consultation with the Pastor

* Select Graduals/Responsorial Psalms and Gospel Acclimations from parish Hymnal/Missal/free online sources

* Recruit members of various choirs and professional musicians

* Provide supervision to musicians

* Recruit, train, schedule and provide on-going formation for other accompanists and instrumentalists for Sundays, Holy Days and other liturgical events as needed

* Recruit, train, schedule and provide on-going formation for cantors for necessary Sundays, Holy Days and other liturgical events as needed

* Evaluate each choir and communicate any recommendations to the pastor

* Evaluate the need for and develop additional music groups as appropriate

* Schedule all musicians, choirs, cantors and accompanists for Sunday, Holy Day and other liturgical events

* Communicate schedules with pastor, choirs and others involved

* Spend time weekly practicing organ music

* Consult with pastor on a regular basis to help implement a liturgical vision for the parish

* Offer new ideas and improvements to current liturgical practices & policies

* Organize and lead yearly, week long youth Choir Camps (i.e. elementary aged children; camp for boys)

* During authorized absences, ensure coverage at scheduled Masses

Other Responsibilities

Planning and oversight:

*Work with the Pastor to plan, develop and implement Sunday liturgies, Holy day and special liturgies throughout the year

* Perform administrative office work, including preparation of weekly liturgy guides and music staff payroll

* Produce weekly ordos for cantors and choirs to sing from during Mass

* Produce weekly worship aids to be printed in the bulletin (most deadlines are noon on Wednesday)

* Assist priests and deacons with learning liturgical music

* Responsible for oversight, upkeep, and recommendations on hymnals (parish currently uses St. Michael Hymnal)

* Oversee, maintain, organize, and update Music Library

* Funerals: Collaborate with presider to oversee and provide for music needs of Funerals. Contact the choir and prepare the order of worship and funerals. Provide, in consultation with Pastor, a list of approved Funeral Music. Provide Worship Aids

* Weddings: Help wedding couples plan the music for their liturgy in accord with Church policy. Provide, in consultation with Pastor, a list of approved Wedding Music. Provide Worship Aids

* Attend monthly calendar and staff meetings

* Attend yearly staff retreat

* Attend yearly calendar meeting

Administrative:

* Participate in ongoing professional education [in related musical field] and attend all required workshops offered by the Archdiocese related areas of ministry or as directed by the pastor

* Operate within the department’s budget

* Develop annual calendar for sacred music ministry and provide information for master parish calendar

* Handle emergency needs and develop alternate plans for such situations as they arise

* Responsible for licenses and copyright laws. Adhere to copyright laws for all music and worship aids

* Oversee maintenance and ensure upkeep of all Church instruments

* Evaluate and make recommendations for future instrument needs, purchases and upgrades

* Submit and/or approve payment for paid musicians

• Educational requirements: Bachelors in Music Education or similar discipline or equivalent experience
• Thorough knowledge of liturgical documents regarding music
• Read and interpret Solfege
• Read and interpret Chant notation
• Strong skills in voice, music education, organ accompaniment, and choral conducting
• Computer skills and organizational skills to coordinate music ministers and maintain music library
• Comfortable working with children and youth
• Successful completion of the Archdiocesan background check and Virtus training
• Parish work may expose the employee to information of a confidential or sensitive nature and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality is an absolute requirement of this position. Failure to appropriately safeguard confidential information will be grounds for immediate dismissal
• Ability to foster and maintain appropriate boundaries with fellow employees, disciples, parishioners, visitors and vendors and to conduct oneself in a courteous and professional manner
• Flexibility in time and task requirements recognizing that the position may require irregular hours, including evenings and weekends
• Ability to plan, give and take direction, and work with others as a team
• Strong interpersonal skills for working with staff and disciples of all ages
• Possess strong organizational skills with the ability to delegate effectively
• Ability to work productively without supervision
• Ability to define, process, and follow through on programs and responsibilities

Please send Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae or Resume to Fr. Mark Moriarty at frm@hfcmn.org.