Director of Sacred Music - Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Catholic Diocese of Columbus•Grove City, OH

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Sacred Music oversees, develops, and leads the music ministry of the parish in accordance with the teachings and liturgical norms of the Roman Catholic Church. This leader supports full, conscious, and active participation in the Sacred Liturgy through reverent, beautiful, and theologically grounded sacred music. The Director collaborates closely with the pastor, clergy, and liturgical ministries to ensure that all parish liturgies—Sunday Masses, Holy Days, weddings, funerals, sacramental celebrations, and special liturgies—are supported by well-prepared and prayerfully executed music.

Requirements

Practicing Catholic in good standing with a love for the Church’s liturgy and sacred music tradition.
Bachelor’s degree in music, sacred music, liturgy, or related field (or equivalent professional experience) also to include Music Education.
Strong proficiency in organ is required, choral conducting, and vocal coaching.
Understanding of Catholic liturgical documents (GIRM, Musicam Sacram, Sacrosanctum Concilium, etc.).
Ability to lead and form volunteers with patience, clarity, and pastoral sensitivity.
Strong inter-personal skills.
Ability to work well with others.
Availability for daily Masses, evenings, weekends, rehearsals, and major liturgical seasons.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Sacred Music, Music Performance, or Pastoral Studies, Liturgy
Competence in Gregorian chant and choral conducting.
Experience directing a parish music program or working in a Catholic liturgical setting.
Ability to arrange or compose music when needed.
Familiarity with digital music tools and score-preparation software.

Responsibilities

Plan, select, and prepare appropriate music for all parish liturgies, ensuring fidelity to the Church’s musical tradition and rubrics.
Direct, accompanies, or arranges for accompaniment at weekend Masses, Holy Days of Obligation, Triduum and Holy Week liturgies, sacramental celebrations, parish events and School Masses.
Work closely with clergy and coordinator of Sacred Liturgy to coordinate daily and weekend Masses, liturgical feast days, rituals and other parish considerations.
Recruit, train, and rehearse parish choirs, cantors, instrumentalists, and ensembles.
Foster musical excellence, spiritual growth, and community among volunteers.
Develop programs with the assistance of the Principal and School Music Teacher for children’s choirs for school day Masses and weekend Masses.
Provide liturgical and musical formation to all members of the music ministry.
Introduce the parish community to the Church’s rich treasury of sacred music, including chant, polyphony, and hymnody.
Encourage the congregation’s active participation in the sung parts of the Mass.
Maintain a calendar of rehearsals, music selections, and volunteer schedules.
Oversee the care, maintenance, and tuning of parish musical instruments (e.g., organ, piano).
Manage the sacred music budget: purchasing scores, hymnals, licensing (Source and Summit, OneLicense, USCCB.org etc.), and other needed resources.
Collaborate with the parish office to prepare worship aids and announcements.
Serve on the parish pastoral team.
Coordinate with the Director of Liturgical Ministries (or sacristans, altar servers, lectors) to ensure seamless liturgical execution.
Support wedding and funeral planning by assisting families with appropriate music selection.