Director of Sacred Music

Job Description

Job Overview:

Our Lady of Good Hope Parish in Fort Wayne, Indiana invites applicants for a full-time position of Director of Sacred Music / Organist. We seek an excellent musician and committed Catholic to lead the renewal of Sacred Music in our parish according to the mind and tradition of the Catholic Church. We believe that, in the words of the Second Vatican Council, "the musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art" (SC 112). We are seeking someone with a deep relationship with the Lord, rooted in prayer, who will guide others into an encounter with Christ through this great treasure of inestimable value that is Catholic sacred music.

About Our Lady of Good Hope Parish:

This position will give you the opportunity to serve with a new but experienced pastor with a proven record of renewing the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and especially Sacred Music. Our Lady of Good Hope Parish is a growing parish in suburban Fort Wayne, one of the fastest growing metro areas in the Midwest (regularly featuring in national rankings of livability and affordability). Fort Wayne and especially Our Lady of Good Hope Parish have a rich Catholic culture and beautiful family life. We boast a thriving and richly Catholic grade school rooted in the Catholic classical liberal arts tradition. Many of our 950 families come from around the metro area because of the beauty and reverence with which the Sacred Liturgy is celebrated and the clarity with which Catholic doctrine is taught, and we are excited to bring this renewal to Sacred Music as well.

Our Vision for this Position:

The Director of Sacred Music will be a close collaborator with the pastor, renewing the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy at Our Lady of Good Hope Parish. We value candidates with the experience, training, musical talent, and interpersonal skills necessary to transform a culture of hymn and song-based devotional music to a richly Catholic vision according to the mind of the Church, recovering the proper antiphons and the Church's deep treasury of Sacred Music through the centuries.

Duties of the Position:

-Oversee and execute music for three Sunday Mass (Saturday 4:30 p.m., Sunday 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.), including organ accompaniment
-Provide music for all funeral Masses (~20/year)
-Provide music for all weddings (10-15/year)
-Direct children, teen, and adult choirs
-Develop new ensembles or programs to enhance Sacred Music at Sunday Masses
-Train cantors for Sunday Masses and other liturgies
-Collaborate with our parish school to enhance instruction in sacred music and potentially provide music at one weekday Mass per week
-As a member of the parish leadership team, be a collaborative and pastoral presence on our parish staff and in the parish at large
-Potentially supervise an accompanist or choral section leaders

Preferred Qualifications and Abilities:

-Master's in Sacred Music or equivalent field preferred (candidates with Bachelor's degrees only will be considered as well)
-Five years' experience in a parish or related setting
-Excellent organ ability, including hymn accompaniment and prelude and postlude literature
-Excellent conducting and music teaching abilities
-Ability to work with parishioners with a variety of musical abilities
-Composing and arranging skills - making the Church's tradition musically accessible to volunteers unfamiliar with chant and choral music
-Excellent interpersonal skills - being an ambassador for the Church's vision for sacred music and winning over those who are unsure about or new to Sacred Music
-Design, layout, and video production skills - the ability to prepare beautiful programs, worship aids, and/or training videos to assist our parishioners and volunteers in learning new Sacred Music
-Strong written and oral communication skills - making a compelling case for the transformation of the parish's musical culture

Compensation:

-This is a full-time position with flexible hours and full benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions, etc.
-Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Salary range for candidates with preferred qualifications: $65,000 - $95,000 / year, based on education, experience, and talent.
-The starting date is negotiable, beginning May 20, 2025.

How to Apply:

Please submit your application via the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend's portal (diocesefwsb.org/careers). Supplemental materials or recordings are also welcomed, as are all questions and inquiries. Please contact the pastor, Father Royce Gregerson, at frgregerson@olghfw.com.

Applications are preferred by March 15, 2025. A limited number of (USA-based) finalists will receive paid travel to audition and interview in person. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

About the Employer

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is a not-for-profit religious corporation empowered under Canon Law to fulfill the spiritual, educational, and charitable mission of the Catholic Church in the Northeastern portion of the State of Indiana.