January 2012

Position Description

Position Title: Director of Music Ministries

Reports to: Pastor

Status: Part-Time (30 hours), Salary

Broad Statement of Responsibilities:

The Director of Music Ministries (DMM) is responsible for the music of the liturgies in our parish. The DMM will be present as an accompanist at the English language liturgies, or will be responsible for staffing these liturgies with competent musicians and/or cantors. The DMM shall be thoroughly familiar with Catholic liturgical practice and with the official documents regarding church music and liturgy. The DMM will help plan the liturgies, recruit and train cantors and choir members, and encourage the assembly to pray well through music.

General Duties:

The Director of Music Ministries will:

• work with others in planning liturgical celebrations throughout the year.
• recruit and train cantors to lead congregational singing at liturgical celebrations.
• assemble and direct an adult choir to accompany congregational singing at our liturgies.
• be responsible for the upkeep, maintenance, and tuning of the church organ and pianos.
• teach the congregation new hymns according to the season and liturgical need.
• rehearse and direct a seasonal (Christmas and Easter) children’s choir. The members of the choir will be drawn from both the school and faith formation program.
• work in cooperation with Faith Formation and the RCIA for liturgical celebrations.
• be available for special activities which come up during the year, including ecumenical services, community events, and concerts.
• work in cooperation with the Hispanic community musicians on bi-lingual celebrations that arise from time to time, including Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, and the Sunday of the parish picnic.

Liturgical Celebrations:

The Director of Music Ministries is responsible for the selection of hymns and liturgical music for the Saturday evening and the two Sunday morning masses. In addition, the DMM is responsible for the music at the following liturgies:

• School Masses;
• Reconciliation services during Advent and Lent;
• The annual Anointing Mass;
• First Communion;
• Holy Days of Obligation – normally two Masses per Holy Day;
• The Triduum - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil;
• The annual Advent Church Walk;
• Christmas: Two evening Masses and one morning Mass;
• Thanksgiving Day Mass

Weddings and Funerals:

The Director of Music Ministries will be the musician to be contacted for weddings and funerals. Weddings will be contracted on an individual basis for a fee agreeable to the musician and the wedding party. The DMM must approve any other musician(s) and the music to be played at all weddings taking place at our parish, and will conduct the wedding rehearsal. The DMM will choose the music for funeral services in accordance as far as possible with the wishes of the family, and will play the music. A cantor or choir may be arranged as needed. A stipend will be paid by the family for this service.

Music Teacher within the School:

The Director of Music Ministries will teach music two days per week during the school year to our preschool through eighth grade students. The classes will focus on basic music appreciation, music reading skills, singing, the playing of the recorder, and other areas that the DMM and Principal agree upon. Preparing selections for the school masses and preparing a Christmas program are expected.

Education, Training and/or Experience:

The Director of Music Ministries must have excellent keyboard skills and the ability to train and direct cantors and choirs. Preference will be given to candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Music, Liturgy or a related field. At least two years in parish liturgical ministry is required. Excellent communication skills are necessary. The DMM will need the skills and experience to act as professional resource person to assist the pastor and pastoral staff in liturgical matters, and will be expected to attend workshops, seminars, etc. in music and liturgy to maintain a professional status. The parish will pay the annual dues for the DMM to maintain membership in the national and local chapters of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

Addendum:

The Director of Music Ministries:

• is expected to attend monthly parish staff meetings.
• will meet annually with the pastor for a performance review. This job description will serve as the basis for evaluation.
• will notify the pastor by March 1^st of his/her intention to continue in this position for the following fiscal year. The pastor will notify the Music Director by March 31^st of his intention to renew the working agreement for the coming fiscal year.

Instruments and Space:

The parish currently owns a 15-rank 1901 Lyon & Healy Tracker Organ, a Kurzweil Digital Piano, a Roland Work Station Keyboard, and percussion instruments, including conga drums. An office is available for the DMM if so desired.