Director of Liturgy & Music

Job Type

Full-time

Description

SUMMARY

The Director of Music and Liturgy facilitates the music for all liturgical celebrations, educates the parish in areas of music and liturgy according to the vision of the Second Vatican Council, and assumes administrative responsibilities relevant to the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties and functions, as outlined herein, are intended to be representative of the type of tasks performed within this classification.

They are not listed in any order of importance. The omission of specific statements of the duties or functions does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

Other duties may be required and assigned.

Pastoral Musician as Person of Faith.

As a pastoral minister, the musician has the responsibility to nurture his or her own faith in order to nurture the faith of others.

Pastoral Musician as Professional Person

Commitment to professional development is a mutual responsibility of the musician and the parish. In order to maintain a competent level of professionalism, the responsibility of the pastoral musician includes :

• Practices to improve or maintain skills in voice, conducting, and the instruments upon which the musician is expected to perform.
• Researches, develops, and masters new 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.
• Membership in 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 Educator

The pastoral musician is to educate the parish in areas of music and liturgy according to the vision of the Second Vatican Council.

This responsibility includes revitalizing the bell choir and

• Helps the parish grow in its understanding of the role of music in the liturgy.
• Helps the parish learn new liturgical music at an appropriate pace.
• Services as a resource person for the liturgical music education of the parish council, Liturgy Committee, and pastoral staff.
• Services as a resource person in liturgical music for the religious education process.
• Fosters and developing the musicianship of parish music ministers and clergy.
• Coordinates workshops and concerts as needed.

Pastoral Musician as Liturgical Minister

Under the leadership of the pastor, the responsibility of the pastoral musician as a liturgical minister involves :

• Coordinates the music ministry for all parish liturgies.
• Assumes the role of leading musician (accompanist or choral director).
• Makes the creative choice of music and exercising its judicious placement for all liturgical celebrations.
• Recruits, schedules, and rehearses various music ministries (e.g., choirs, cantors, instrumentalists).
• Plans liturgy (working with the priests and Liturgy Commission) including leading the Liturgy Committee.
• Secures proper copyrights for all worship participation aids.
• Works with the Director of Religious Education and education staff in the preparation of children's liturgies.
• Meets with engaged couples for the preparation of wedding liturgies and preparing music for funeral liturgies.

Pastoral Musician as Administrator

The responsibility of the pastoral musician as an administrator involves :

• Makes liturgical music policies in conjunction with the Liturgy Committee 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.

Requirements

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 with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

CATHOLIC FAITH

Practice of the Catholic faith is required. Church employees must conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with and supportive of the mission and purpose of the Church.

Their public behavior must not violate the faith, morals or laws of the Church or the policies of the diocese.

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in music or its equivalent.
• Musical leadership requires skills in the following areas : keyboard, 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 community.
• A thorough understanding of Roman Catholic liturgical Theology and praxis.
• A knowledge of the history and repertoire of sacred music.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• A high level of organizational and interpersonal skill is required. Attention to detail and working well with others is also required.
• Ability to read and analyze routine correspondence and compose appropriate responses. Ability to respond effectively to common inquiries from internal and external sources.

Ability to effectively present reports and information to constituents.

• Ability to apply appropriate mathematical concepts and operations in establishing and maintaining budgets.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• The Director of Music Ministry should demonstrate the ability to :

1. Select and teach new music to the assembly.

2. Develop the musicianship of cantors and other musicians.

3. Nurture musicianship of the youth.

4. Serve as a resource to parish as well as persons involved in other parish ministries.

5. Provide liturgical guidance in sensitive pastoral situations, such as the preparation of weddings and funerals.

6. Lead and animate the community's sung prayer.

7. 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.

8. Work in collaboration with other ministers of the parish.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The working hours of this position are not limited to an 8-hour day. This person will need to be available in the evening and weekends, as needed.

Performs extensive computer work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The ability to sit and stand for long periods of time. Must be able to reach, grasp, feel, and see up close and from afar.

Must be able to use basic office computer hardware and peripherals, with or without reasonable accommodation. Must be able to communicate verbally and in written form.

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and / or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (15 pounds).

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties.

All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

Requirements are representative of the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and ability.