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Job Description
Gate of Heaven and St Brigid Parishes, South Boston, MA
TITLE: DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND ORGANIST
REPORTS TO: REV. ROBERT CASEY, PASTOR
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Director of Music and Organist oversees sung liturgies in the Parish, nurturing the community in prayer through music and maintaining a vibrant program. This includes oversight of all duties/functions relevant to the parish music program, consultation with the Pastor, and collaboration with the Parish Pastoral Staff as necessary to function appropriate parish activities successfully. The specific responsibilities of this part-time position include but are not limited to:
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
I. Implements all aspects of the music for Masses, developing cantors, paid and volunteer; maintain and develop parish schola/choir.
A. Plays organ for weekly Masses and Directs the Cantor/Schola/Choir
4:00PM Saturday; 9AM, 10:30AM; 12Noon on Sundays
6:00 PM (Sept - June) Sundays
B. Facilitate rehearsals (including pre-Mass warm-ups) for all cantors/choirs/ensembles (not including personal preparation for trial)
C. Scheduling/coordinating choirs, cantors, and other instrumentalists on parish liturgical services and other special occasions
D. Consults and collaborates with the Pastor to work on planning details of liturgical celebrations, extraordinary feasts, and other occasions in the parish and school, including the monthly school Mass, assisting in the preparation and implementation of same.
1. Direct/play Parish Choir/ensembles and rehearsals for the following additional services during the year - such as:
• Immaculate Conception
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Ash Wednesday
• Lent Penitential Service
• Holy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Holy Saturday
• Easter Sunday Morning
• Ascension Thursday
• The Feast of the Assumption
• All Saints Day
2. Personal practice time to prepare for rehearsals, liturgies, and concerts.
• Facility to teach all vocal and instrumental parts
E. Actively recruit and cultivate music volunteers
• Meet/Screen all music volunteers
• Organize involvement of all volunteers
F. Trains cantors and coordinates the cantor program providing mentoring, guidance, liturgical, and musical instruction
II. Organizational and Administrative duties:
1. Helps develop an annual budget for the parish music program
2. Procures and organizes sufficient music copies as needed for choir and congregation, including worship aids when warranted
3. Purchases, upon approval, catalogs, repairs, and manages
all printed music materials, music library holdings for assigned choir(s) and congregation as needed;
4. Ensures that the organ and other musical equipment are kept in good operating condition
III. Works cooperatively and collaboratively with Parish Pastoral Staff and maintains Christian attitude/behavior in general dealings with all clergy, parish members, and the community as a representative of the Catholic parish community.
IV. As a Church Organist and a parish representative, maintains timely contact with couples preparing for their Wedding to assist in the proper selection of music and to answer related questions.
V. Assumes responsibility for directing music and playing the organ for all funerals, feast days, and holidays, and ensures substitute organist coverage for any of these should they be unable to be present for any reason.
Qualifications/Requirements
• Excellent conducting, and organ skills
• Ability to improvise in the context of the liturgy, even if simply
• Interpersonal skills with volunteer and professional musicians and with parishioners
• Familiarity with Roman Catholic liturgy and the Liturgy Documents in particular: Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship and The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium)
• Organizational skills and knowledge of general computer programs. (Familiarity with music notation software, e.g., Finale or Sibelius notation software, is beneficial.)
• A Bachelor's degree in music and a minimum of five years of experience is strongly preferred.
Part-time position with salary and benefits and additional stipends for weddings and funerals. Salary is negotiable pending skill and experience—approximately 120 funerals per year and 30 weddings per year.
Please send resumes to Karin Cannata, Parish Administrative Assistant at Cannata.sbgh@gmail.com, and Fr. Robert Casey at FrRobCasey@gmail.com.