Director of Music Ministry - Saint Paul Apostle - Gurnee - Vic.

Director of Music Ministry

The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency.

The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.

The Director of Music facilitates the music for all liturgical celebrations. These responsibilities include directing and planning regularly scheduled liturgies; directing, scheduling, and rehearsing all music assemblies, recruitment and formation of parish cantors and music volunteers, instrumentalists at weekend Masses and on Holy Days; seasonal liturgies; music for Faith Formation program; supervision of audiovisual equipment; and music for funerals and weddings.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Practices to improve or maintain skills in voice, conducting, and the instruments upon which the musician is expected to perform.
• Research and mastery of liturgical music
• Pursues educational advancement in musical skills that relate to the parish's need (e.g., organ, choral directing, vocal pedagogy)
• Keeps current with official statements and documents on music, liturgy, and developments in the pastoral field
• Studies various liturgical and musical publications
• Member of professional organizations and attendance at national and area conferences and workshops
• Periodic coursework in the field of pastoral liturgy and liturgical music.

Pastoral musician as administrator responsibilities include:

• Makes liturgical music policies in conjunction with the Liturgy Commission and pastoral staff, taking into consideration Diocesan and national guidelines
• Formulates a music budget for the parish worship program.
• Develops and maintains a liturgical music library of various styles and genres for assembly, choir, cantor, and instrumentalists.
• Maintains the parish's musical instruments.
• Makes recommendations for the purchase of new instruments, sound equipment, hymnals and music supplies.
• Secures other musicians as needed for special celebrations, such as Christmas, Easter, Confirmation, etc. Supports cultural diversity of the parish and their liturgies.

The Director of Music Ministry should demonstrate the ability to:

• Select and teach new music to the assembly. Develop the musicianship of cantors and other musicians.
• Nurture musicianship of the youth.
• Serve as a resource to the parish as well as persons involved in other parish ministries.
• Provide liturgical guidance in sensitive pastoral situations, such as the preparation of weddings and funerals.
• Lead and animate the community's sung prayer.
• Administer a multifaceted music program. This includes both short and long-range planning, budget administration, development and maintenance of a music library, scheduling, and timely communication with other liturgical ministers.
• Work in collaboration with parish staff, the Music Ministry Assistant, the Director of Liturgy, musicians, and other ministers of the parish.
• Ability to sing and play independently, without the help of musicians.

Requirements:

Catholic faith practice is required. Church employees must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with and supportive of the Church's mission and purpose. Their public behavior must not violate the Church's faith, morals, or laws, or the archdiocese's policies.

Education and/or experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in music or its equivalent, and/or experience as a Music Director in a church.
• Musical leadership requires skills in the following areas: piano/organ, voice, and conducting.
• Skills and experience may be required in other areas such as contemporary instrumental ensembles, orchestration, hand bells, children's choirs, composition, and familiarity with musical styles of various cultures within the…