Director of Music and Liturgy

Music Full Time

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Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
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:

Practicing to improve or maintain skills in voice, conducting, and the instruments upon which the musician is expected to perform.
Researching, developing, and mastering new music.
Pursuing educational advancement in musical skills that relate to the parish's need (e.g., organ, choral directing, vocal pedagogy).
Keeping current with official statements and documents on music, liturgy, and developments in the pastoral field;
Studying 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:

Helping the parish grow in its understanding of the role of music in the liturgy.
Helping the parish learn new liturgical music at an appropriate pace.
Serving as a resource person for the liturgical music education of the parish council, Liturgy Commission, and pastoral staff.
Serving as a resource person in liturgical music for the religious education process.
Fostering and developing the musicianship of parish music ministers and clergy.
Coordinating 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:

Coordinating the music ministry for all parish liturgies.
Assuming the role of leading musician (accompanist or choral director).
Making the creative choice of music and exercising its judicious placement for all liturgical celebrations.
Recruiting, scheduling, and rehearsing various music ministries (e.g., choirs, cantors, instrumentalists).
Liturgy planning (working with the priests and Liturgy Commission) including leading the Liturgy Commission.
Securing proper copyrights for all worship participation aids.
Working with the Director of Religious Education and education staff in the preparation of children's liturgies.
Meeting 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:

Making liturgical music policies in conjunction with the Liturgy Commission and pastoral staff, taking into consideration Diocesan and national guidelines.
Formulating a music budget for the parish worship program.
Developing and maintaining a liturgical music library of various styles and genres for assembly, choir, cantor and instrumentalists.
Maintaining the parish's musical instruments.
Making recommendations for the purchase of new instruments, sound equipment, hymnals and music supplies.
Securing other musicians as needed for special celebrations, such as Christmas, Easter, Confirmation, etc.

Requirements:
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.

Education and 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.

Organizational/Interpersonal Skills:
A high level of organizational and interpersonal skill is required.
Attention to detail and working well with others is also required.

Language/Communication Skills:
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.
Bilingual English/Spanish.

Mathematical Skills:
Ability to apply appropriate mathematical concepts and operations in establishing and maintaining budgets.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Personal Abilities:
A baptized Christian who is willing to enter into the faith life of the community in which he or she seeks to serve and lead.
Personal qualities should include a willingness to keep informed of liturgical pastoral developments and to participate in continuing education to maintain and further musical expertise.
Personality qualities should include a sense of prudent balance of enthusiasm and patience, and an ability to work in collaboration with others.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
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.

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.

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