Director of Music​/Organist St. Michael Archangel Catholic Church

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal organist for the parish’s weekend Masses: 5:30 PM on Saturday and 10:30 AM on Sunday. (Masses celebrated in English)
• Must be available to play Christmas Eve and Day, all Holy Week Liturgies including:
  Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday.
• Plan appropriate music for Sundays, Holy Days, and other parish liturgies in accordance with the liturgical calendar
• Provide organ and/or piano accompaniment and lead congregational singing
• Recruit, schedule, rehearse, and support volunteer parish cantors and other musicians
• Recruit, rehearse, teach, and support the existing adult choir and children’s choir.
• Coordinate substitute musicians when necessary.
• Prepare and direct/play music for Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, Confirmation, First Communion, and other major parish celebrations.
• Serve as primary coordinator of and be responsible for liturgical music for weddings, funerals (coordinating with families, couples, hiring singers and instrumentalists, etc.). All these services are additional income, other sacramental celebrations, as well as scheduling AV Technicians and sound system setup/progmming.
• Maintain and develop the parish’s music library and other music ministry resources. (Licensing compliance.)
• Ensure the maintenance of the parish musical instruments. Ongoing review and overall supervision for maintenance of all music equipment (piano, organ, and sound system).
• Collaborate with the Pastor, parish staff, clergy, and liturgical ministers in planning worship
• Help foster strong congregational participation and continue developing the musical life of the parish.
• Meet with the Pastor and attend staff meetings. Performs administrative office work as needed.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong proficiency in organ and piano
• Experience accompanying and leading Catholic liturgical music
• Knowledge of the Roman Catholic liturgy and the role of music within it
• Strong sight-reading, accompanying, and leadership skills
• Experience working with cantors, choirs, or volunteer musicians
• Good organizational, scheduling, and communication skills
• The ability to work collaboratively with clergy, staff, volunteers, and parishioners
• A degree in music, sacred music, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent professional and liturgical experience will be considered
• Vocal ability and experience directing choirs or ensembles are desirable.
• Experience with Children’s choir.