Coordinator of Sacred Music

Part-time or Full-time Coordinator of Sacred Music

Summary

The Coordinator of Sacred Music is responsible for assisting the Pastor in planning for and overseeing the liturgical life and accompanying music for the Church of St. Joseph in Aston, Pennsylvania. He/she is responsible for assisting the Pastor in building a comprehensive program of music ministry that supports the Parish’s rich liturgical heritage and helps the parishioners sing, pray, and worship more fully and actively.

Position Characteristics

The Coordinator of Sacred Music is a part-time or full-time position, commensurate with experience, availability, and ability. The candidate must be able to articulate an understanding of and a passion for the liturgical life of the parish. The ability to develop specific liturgical and musical goals will be essential to the success of the candidate. The candidate also must have the willingness to work with forming the Parish Choir, working with, and recruiting, both volunteer and paid musicians and vocalists, selecting and playing seasonally appropriate liturgical music, planning liturgies, and establishing a comprehensive music program. Effectively collaborating with the Parish’s clergy and staff to elevate the offerings of song, prayer, and worship will be critical to the success of the candidate.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities Include

• Providing musical and/or vocal accompaniment for Weekend and Holy Day Masses. It is understood that the candidate is available for a three Masses per week, as well as a majority of Holy Day Masses. Vacation/leave time can be negotiated.
• Recruit and work with other vocalists and musicians and provides feedback for them as needed to ensure the quality of their performances.
• Work with the Pastor to craft an appropriate repertoire of regular hymnody, and will actively seek to update that library of appropriate sacred music and liturgical resources on a regular basis while working with the Parish’s congregation to introduce new music for more active participation.
• Assist the Pastor in planning and executing various annual Parish liturgical celebrations including, but not limited to, Forty Hours Devotions, Holiday Masses, Advent/Christmas Season, Lent/Easter Season, Corpus Christi Sunday, and the like.
• Work with members of the Pastoral Council and/or Liturgy Committee to both discuss planning for and continually evaluating the liturgical life of the Parish as well as provide catechesis to Parishioners regarding Liturgy and Worship.
• Direct and rehearse the Parish Choir. The schedule is negotiable, but it is preferred that they sing on average two Masses per month.
• Meet with couples as they plan their Wedding Mass/Ceremony and provide insight as to appropriate selections for music.
• Provide musical and/or vocal accompaniment for Funeral Masses.
• Provide occasional catechesis on Sacred Music for the Parish community, i.e., bulletin articles, Flocknote messages, presentations, and the like.
• Collaborate with staff members (ie: Director of Religious Education and Pre-School Director) to plan and implement sacred music and liturgical directives as they relate to their areas of ministry.
• Establish and form a Children’s Choir.
• Coordinate regular tuning and maintenance of the Parish's instrumentation including the organ and pianos.
• Provide for his/her own spiritual and professional growth by pursuing continuing education and professional development in Sacred Music and Liturgy, especially with regard to Archdiocesan-sponsored meetings and events.

Necessary Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church and a joyful, faith-filled disciple. He/she will also possess:

• Professional competence in organ and piano, along with vocal performance and proficiency in the reading of music.
• A bachelor’s degree in music, sacred music, liturgy, or the equivalent is desired, but not necessary.
• Experience and enthusiasm for offering varied Roman Catholic music and liturgical traditions.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• Previous experience as a Music Director for a Catholic parish or equivalent position is preferred but not necessary
• The ability to work professionally and collaboratively with others.
• Must provide (or obtain prior to employment) clearances required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania & the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

If interested, please send resume and introductory letter to [email protected].