Director of Sacred Music

Job Description

Director of Sacred Music

Compensation: Salaried, full time, exempt position; starting annual salary ranging between $75,000 - $100,000, depending on qualifications and experience; competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and pension

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Director of Sacred Music ("DSM") at Good Shepherd Catholic Parish is responsible for overseeing all aspects of liturgical music for parish liturgies. He or she works to expand the parish repertoire with the rich sacred music heritage of the Catholic Church, including Gregorian chant, chant in English and Spanish, polyphony, and sacred choral music. This person ideally has an educational background in music in general (education in sacred music is a plus but not required). This person also has a thorough understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy and serves as the parish's principal musician and choir director. This person should have a strong background in piano and in choral music. Organ proficiency is desired but not required, as long as the candidate is willing to participate in parish-sponsored organ lessons. The DSM should have a working knowledge of the Church's principles for music in the liturgy as found in such documents as Tra le Sollecitudini (1903), Sacrosanctum Concilium (1963), Musicam Sacram (1967), and Sing to the Lord (USCCB, 2007). The DSM plays and sings for liturgies in English, Spanish, and Latin, utilizing the Source & Summit online platform, Flor y Canto by OCP, and resources from the Church Music Association of America, Corpus Christi Watershed, and other relevant vendors. The DSM administers the parish's music program, manages other parish musicians (volunteers and independent contractors), and educates and trains parishioners regarding music and the liturgy.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Plans and manages a comprehensive sacred music program for the parish in collaboration with the Pastor or his delegate
Coordinates and suggests to the Pastor or his delegate appropriate selections of Ordinaries, Propers, hymns, polyphony, and choral pieces for all parish and school liturgies
Prepares and distributes sheet music and worship aids to participants (cantors, instrumentalists, choir members, and congregation)
Recruits, schedules, rehearses, and supervises cantors, choirs, and instrumentalists for all liturgies
Supervises and maintains the parish's musical resources, spaces, and instruments
Manages the department budget
Leads liturgical music as a conductor, cantor, and accompanist (piano required; organ preferred)
Directs the choir, assembly, and musicians at liturgies (weekend liturgies, holy days of obligation, and major events)
Maintains the level of knowledge and skills required to remain current and successful in the field of sacred music. Reads material related to the profession, attends workshops or conventions, and participates in local, regional, and diocesan professional organizations, as appropriate and as approved by the Pastor
Notifies parish musicians of workshops, conferences, etc., which relate to their ministry
Serves as a member of the parish liturgy committee
Assists with outside groups and organizations who seek to use parish facilities for concerts or who request to perform at parish liturgies
Has first priority for providing the music for funerals and weddings, and is responsible for scheduling other parish musicians for funerals and weddings
Coordinates and approves the music selections for weddings, funerals, and other special occasions in adherence to the Parish Sacred Music Policy
Provides encouragement, evaluation, and appreciation of parish musicians and singers
Attends staff meetings and liturgy committee meetings as required or requested
Is responsible for the maintenance of all audio systems in the parish churches and schedules technicians as needed
Schedules the tunings of pianos and maintenance of organs twice a year or as needed
Keeps copyright licenses and digital subscriptions up to date
Collaborates as needed with diocesan staff and musicians for diocesan liturgies at our parish churches
Other responsibilities as needed or as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church who is fully supportive of Church teachings and models a faithful Catholic moral life
Thorough knowledge of and experience with Roman Catholic liturgy
B.A. or M.A. in music, choral conducting, music education, or the like; or equivalent training at a music conservatory; or equivalent combination of education and experience in Catholic liturgical music
Skilled and experienced pianist; organ proficiency preferred
Skilled and experienced singer
Skilled and experienced conductor, preferably in a parish setting
Knowledge of and experience with Gregorian Chant, choral music, and polyphony a plus but not required, as long as candidate is willing to learn
Ability to teach, lead, and motivate others effectively
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to handle stress well
Knowledge of Hispanic communities and Spanish sacred music
Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred but not required
Takes initiative, meets deadlines, and works collaboratively

To apply, email your resume to Fr. Dalton Rogers at drogers@gscparish.org.

About the Employer

Good Shepherd Catholic Parish of Visalia, California, is centrally located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno. We are a flourishing and growing parish of diverse families and ministries.