Music Director

Archdiocese of Detroit•Dearborn, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Music oversees the liturgical music program of the parish, serves as a member of the parish staff, provides leadership and consultation for various groups, and is an integral member of the worship community. This position collaborates with the Pastor, the parish administrator and parish staff, school principal and school staff, as well as parish organizations, volunteers, and members of the parish at large. The Director of Music works in consultation with the Pastor in planning and providing music for the parish’s liturgical celebrations, with the Pastor providing overall pastoral direction and, as appropriate, making changes to the music program, selections, or arrangements in keeping with the teachings and liturgical norms of the Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Detroit. This position reports to the Pastor of the parish.

Requirements

College Education or equivalent to years of experience in parish music ministry
Excellent keyboard skills (organ and piano)
Vocal abilities
Choir and cantor formation experience
Knowledge of Catholic and parish organizational structure
Knowledge and skill in using and budgeting parish resources in the spirit of good stewardship
Professional office, computer, organizational, and planning skills, including the ability to engage in both short- and long-range planning
Familiarity with Archdiocesan policies and procedures
Ability to participate actively and collaboratively as a member of the parish staff and to work effectively with a wide variety of personalities, temperaments, perspectives, and groups within the parish
Ability to work collaboratively with others and to recruit, motivate, supervise, and support volunteers and parishioners in the fulfillment of parish ministries
Ability to organize and coordinate parish programs, events, services, and musical activities
Flexibility and adaptability in response to the changing needs of the parish and the nature of the position
Strong active listening, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a variety of people and at various levels of the parish and Archdiocese
Knowledge of Catholic theology and practice, Church teaching, local and national adaptations, and relevant aspects of Canon Law
Understanding of the mission of the parish, the Archdiocese, and the greater Church, with the ability to encourage and motivate others to participate in and live out that mission
Ability to integrate faith with ministry and daily responsibilities and to share that faith appropriately with others
Openness to a broad range of legitimate styles of liturgy and music, with a willingness to develop and expand the musical repertoire of the parish community to include a range of music from traditional to contemporary
Openness to developing and establishing new musical ensembles or ministries as appropriate to the needs and mission of the parish
Ability to lead public prayer and to serve as a visible and engaged member of the worshipping community

Responsibilities

Participates as a full and active member of the parish staff
Participates, on occasion, in meetings of various leadership groups and committees
Identifies pastoral needs within the parish community and makes recommendations for future services, programs, etc.; coordinates, develops and implements plans and programs to respond to those needs
Recruits, supervises, supports and evaluates volunteer ministers in the music program including choir members, cantors, and instrumentalists
Maintains contact with appropriate Archdiocesan offices
Makes recommendations for preparation of the portion of the parish budget which pertains to the music program; administers the music portion of the worship budget through the fiscal year
Maintains parish instruments (organ, pianos, etc.) and church sound system
Selects and purchases music and supplies
Maintains the music library
Observes all copyright and other relevant laws; arranges for reprint licenses as required
Contributes as appropriate to the parish bulletin and the parish website
Prepares participation aids and music supplements for various occasions
Hires qualified musicians for special celebrations as budgeted
Secures qualified substitute musicians in his or her absence
Plans and provides music for weekend and Holy day Masses, School and religious education program Masses, Sacramental celebrations such as First Communion and Confirmation Masses, Parish liturgical events such as Advent/Christmas, Lent/Holy Week/Easter, Stations of the Cross, Corpus Christi Procession and Benediction; children’s involvement in the Christmas gospel, Scheduled Masses of various parish groups and organizations, such as the Ushers and Tabernacle Society, Penance services for parish, school and religious education program, Annual programs or concerts; musical events associated with the liturgical year, The rituals associated with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Baptisms, Funerals, Weddings, Civil holidays
Works with cantors and choirs in preparation for these events
Plans and executing rehearsals with the Parish Choir, Children’s Choir, Cantors, and Handbell Choir
Schedules regular participation at weekend Masses and parish worship events for choirs and cantors
Regularly evaluates each group and arranges for continuing training and formation for participants
Provides oversight & supervision of the handbell coordinator