Director of Music Ministry

Diocese of Trenton; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Diocese of Trenton is seeking a faithful, collaborative, and musically accomplished Director of Music Ministry for a full-time parish position in Princeton Junction, NJ. The role centers on leading and developing liturgical music in support of the Sacred Liturgy, with involvement in weddings, funerals, and major celebrations.

Applicants should be practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church, proficient in piano and organ, and able to recruit and direct choirs and cantors.

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in piano and organ to accompany liturgies confidently.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, rehearse, and direct choirs, cantors, and other musicians.
• Excellent organizational, communication, scheduling, and long-range planning skills.
• Collaborative disposition to work with pastor, parish staff, liturgy committee, volunteers, and parishioners.
• Knowledge of Catholic liturgy and sacred music, with willingness to study liturgical documents and norms.

Responsibilities

• Provide musical leadership for weekend Masses (Saturday 4:00 PM Vigil, Sunday 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM).
• Coordinate music for holy days, solemnities, and other liturgies.
• Establish and maintain Adult and Youth Choirs, including recruitment and rehearsals.

Skills

Piano

Organ

Choir direction

Scheduling

Education

Sacred music background

Job description

The Church of Saint David the King, a Roman Catholic parish in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, is seeking a faithful, collaborative, and musically accomplished Director of Music Ministry to lead and develop the parish’s liturgical music program.

The Director of Music Ministry serves the prayer and worship of the parish by providing musical leadership rooted in the liturgical tradition and teachings of the Catholic Church. The successful candidate will understand that sacred music is at the service of the Sacred Liturgy—supporting the prayer of the Church and the full, conscious, and active participation of the faithful.

Primary Qualifications

Applicants must be practicing Catholics in good standing with the Catholic Church who embrace the Church ’ s faith, sacramental life, and understanding of the Sacred Liturgy.

• Strong proficiency in both piano and organ, with the ability to accompany liturgies confidently.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, rehearse, and direct choirs, cantors, and other musicians.
• Strong organizational, communication, scheduling, and long-range planning skills.
• A collaborative disposition and willingness to work closely with the pastor, parish staff, liturgy committee, volunteers, and parishioners.
• Knowledge of Catholic liturgy and sacred music, together with a willingness to engage in ongoing study of the liturgical documents and norms of the Catholic Church, particularly those governing the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and the proper role of sacred music within it.
• Previous experience in Catholic parish music ministry is highly desirable. Formal education or professional formation in music, sacred music, liturgy, or a related field is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide musical leadership for the parish ’ s principal weekend Masses, currently the Saturday 4:00 PM Vigil and Sunday 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM Masses.
• Coordinate and provide music for holy days, major solemnities, sacramental celebrations, and other special parish liturgies throughout the year.
• Establish and maintain active Adult and Youth Choirs, including recruitment, rehearsals, and appropriate participation in Sunday and seasonal liturgies.
• Recruit, form, schedule, and collaborate with cantors, instrumentalists, and other music ministers.
• Coordinate and provide music for weddings and funerals as part of the position ’ s regular responsibilities.
• Collaborate with parish clergy and staff in planning liturgies and sacramental celebrations.
• Assist the parish community in learning appropriate liturgical music and developing a deeper appreciation for the role of sacred music in Catholic worship.
• Maintain the parish music library, instruments, schedules, and music ministry budget.
• Participate in appropriate parish staff and liturgical planning meetings and pursue ongoing musical, pastoral, and liturgical formation.

This is a full-time ministry position requiring flexibility for weekend and evening responsibilities, weddings, funerals, rehearsals, Holy Days, Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, and other significant parish celebrations. The position is primarily on-site to foster collaboration with parish staff and availability to the parish community.

Compensation: $45,000–$52,000 annually, commensurate with education, degrees and certifications, professional experience, and demonstrated musical and liturgical qualifications, plus benefits in accordance with applicable Diocese of Trenton guidelines.