Music Director

Archdiocese of Detroit; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Archdiocese of Detroit seeks a Director of Music to oversee the parish liturgical music program and serve on the parish staff. You will plan, coordinate and provide music for weekend Masses, sacraments and parish celebrations in collaboration with the Pastor and parish leadership.

The role requires excellent keyboard skills, choir/cantor leadership, and the ability to recruit and supervise volunteers, with evening/weekend hours expected. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• College education or equivalent to years of experience in parish music ministry.
• Excellent keyboard skills (organ and piano) and vocal abilities.
• Experience directing choirs and cantors; ability to recruit and train volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the liturgical music program as a full parish staff member and liaison.
• Plan music for liturgical celebrations in consultation with the Pastor.
• Recruit, supervise, and evaluate volunteer musicians and cantors.
• Maintain instruments, budget, music library and licenses; prepare worship aids.

Skills

Keyboard skills

Education

College education or equivalent in parish music ministry

Job description

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.

Main Responsibilities

1.Coordination and Administrative 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

2.Plans and provides music for the following events; works with cantors and choirs in preparation for these events, which can be found in the parish liturgical calendar.

• 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

3.Choirs and Cantors

The Director of Music is responsible for planning and executing rehearsals with the following choirs and scheduling their regular participation at weekend Masses and parish worship events. The Director will regularly evaluate each group and arrange for continuing training and formation for participants.

• Cantors
• Handbell Choir oversight & supervision of the handbell coordinator.

4. Coordination and Administration

• 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.

Education, Training and/or Experience

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.

The nature of the position necessitates evening and weekend hours.

Please contact Selma Yaldo with any questions at: [e-mail] or(313) 278-5555