St. Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church in Gilbert, AZ is seeking a new full-time Director of Sacred Music to help fulfill its mission of witnessing the love of Jesus Christ through evangelization, catechesis, and celebration of the Sacraments. The Director of Sacred Music will be deeply imbued with the spirit of the liturgy, and will direct and build a parish program that is in harmonious accord with the Catholic Church’s great tradition of sacred music, as it is understood and shown forth by the mind of the Church.

Therefore, the Director of Sacred Music at St. Mary Magdalene Parish will direct the activity of all sacred music at the parish for all major liturgies that occur throughout the year. The Director will recruit, schedule, musically train, and provide ongoing liturgical catechesis for cantors and choir members, fostering in them a loving commitment to the Church and her sacred liturgy, and drawing them and all of the faithful into a deeper actual participation in the liturgical rites.

Professional and Personal Representation:
• Practicing Roman Catholic who models fidelity to Church teaching on faith and morals in their personal life.
• Works collaboratively with parish and diocesan staff and personnel, under the direction of the pastor, toward a gradual and pastorally sensitive renewal of sacred music practice according to the mind of the Church.
• Represents the pastor at all meetings of choirs, cantors, advisory committees. Communicates in a professional and positive manner at all levels.
• Possesses a deep personal love and respect for the Liturgy as the source and summit of the Church’s life and missionary activity, and a desire to share this with others.
• Has a degree in the field of Sacred Music or equivalent experience.
• Has a thorough knowledge of the various liturgical books, documents and current rubrics.
• Has a working knowledge of Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony and choral music, proper antiphons in English and Latin, and of hymnody appropriate to Catholic liturgy.
• Has proficiency and experience in choir and cantor training, liturgical catechesis, managing volunteers, recruiting volunteers, and proper organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work cooperatively with priests, parish staff and parishioners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, especially in all conversations with staff and pastor.

Job Duties:
• Provide/oversee/plan music for five weekend Masses (4:30 PM Vigil, 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 4:30 PM Sunday), Weddings, Funerals, Confirmations, Holy Days of Obligation, and first Sunday of the month 7:00 PM Latin Novus Ordo Mass.
• Ability to serve as director/conductor for liturgies and provide piano or organ accompaniment.
• Ability to foster the authentic and fruitful, active participation of all members of the parish, through congregational singing of antiphons, hymns, and Mass settings, in addition to fostering participation through active listening to music sung by the choir alone.
• Collaborating with the pastor in catechesis of the faithful on the role of music in the liturgy, and on any changes in liturgical/musical practices in the liturgy over time.
• Manage volunteers of the parish Sacred Music Department.
• Recruit members for the various choirs and instrument ensembles of the parish and provide ongoing continuing education and formation in Sacred Music for all members of these groups.
• Additional responsibilities as directed by the pastor.

Please email resumes and cover letters to: Fr. Will Schmid fatherschmid@gmail.com


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On a personal note, this is going to be an exemplary place in the coming years and whoever becomes their DM will be a valued member of the "sacred music revolution" in Phoenix. If you plan to apply, please drop me a private message here on the forum, especially if we've met at a CMAA event before.