Music Director

Name:
Music Ministry Coordinator

Location:

Saint Louise de Marillac Church, Covina

Reports to:

Pastor and Director of Administration for Budgeting and Finance

Employment Type:

Full-Time
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Date:
March 2025

The Director of Music Ministry (DMM) plays a key role in fostering parishioners’ love and devotion to their Catholic faith and identity through music. As a pastoral leader with specialized credentials in music and a deep understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy, the DMM is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive parish and school music program. This includes providing liturgical formation, music education, and preparation for cantors, choral groups, instrumentalists, and other music ministers to enrich liturgical celebrations.

The DMM must hold regular rehearsals for the practice and training of all choirs for each liturgy.

• Serve as a pastoral minister, guiding parishioners to a deeper understanding of liturgy and the role of music in worship.
• Participate in all parish staff and liturgy committee meetings
• Act as a liaison between music ministers and other liturgical teams.
• Continuing Music and Liturgical Formation:
  • Advance musical skills and knowledge through ongoing education and study of liturgical documents and publications.
  • Rehearse liturgical music and integrate it creatively with ritual prayer.
  • Provide liturgical formation and practical training for cantors, choral groups, and instrumentalists.
  • Stay updated on developments in liturgy and music and coordinate training opportunities for music ministers.
• Parish, School, and Faith Formation Liturgical Assembly:
  • Educate parish and school communities about the significance of music in liturgy and various musical styles.
  • Act as a resource for liturgical and musical education for parish and school groups.
• Music Leadership:
  • Collaborate with staff to plan music for Sunday, feast days, seasons, sacraments, and special liturgical events (e.g., penance services, liturgy of the hours, adoration).
  • Coordinate and lead music ministries for liturgical celebrations, including recruiting, scheduling, and rehearsing choir members, cantors, and instrumentalists.
  • Arrange for substitutes when needed (vacations, professional development, etc.)
• Liturgical Preparation:
  • Oversee the selection and planning of music for liturgical seasons and celebrations, including parish, children’s, wedding, and funeral liturgies.
  • Ensure compliance with copyright regulations for music use, including worship aids, practice tracks, and streaming licenses.
  • Must conduct regular musical rehearsals for all choirs in preparation for each Sunday and/or major liturgical feast day.
• Music Resources and Finances:
  • Develop and maintain the music department’s annual budget and prepare monthly expense reports.
  • Organize and curate the parish music library.
  • Manage maintenance and replacement of musical instruments and train sound system operators.
  • Develop fundraising strategies to support the music program’s operations.
  • Account reconciliation with the Finance Team before the end of each month.

This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, obligations, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

• A fully initiated Catholic in good standing, committed to ongoing formation through diocesan-approved courses.
• Professional training in music and liturgy is required; a bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent is minimally required, while a master’s degree is preferred. Alternatively, a Bachelor of Arts in choral directing or music with five years of experience in Catholic liturgical music is acceptable.
• Virtus certification and ADLA fingerprinting are mandatory.

• Comprehensive knowledge of Church music literature across styles for congregations, choirs (adult, teen, and children), vocalists, and instrumentalists.
• Proficiency in piano, organ, choral direction, and vocal skills, including working with instrumentalists.
• Ability to…