St. John the Baptist Parish in Knox County, Ohio is seeking an experienced choir director and organist to assume the role of Director of Sacred Music (DSM). This is a full-time ministry position with benefits. Duties include direction and coordination of the adult choir, children's choir, and cantors, as well as serving as the organist for liturgical events and weekly Masses. In addition, coordination of the Sacred Liturgy as a whole, recruiting and scheduling organists, building and developing a schola, and involvement in our elementary school community are also integral to this job.

There are six sung Masses per weekend at two separate church locations which the DSM is expected to be the primary organist/director, in collaboration with other organists, with appropriate rotation amongst both sites. It is expected that the DSM will play for at least three masses per weekend. The parish is beginning to incorporate more traditional music such as chant and sacred polyphony, while still utilizing quality hymnody. Heavy emphasis is placed on growing the sacred music program and educating members and congregants. The DSM reports directly to the pastor, who is very supportive of sacred music. A full job description is available upon request, and salary will be based on commensurate experience.

Responsibilities:
- Maintain the highest standard for liturgical music for all Masses
- Grow and develop the sacred music program, emphasizing fidelity to Church teaching, tradition, and documents
- Train choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists, particularly in the areas of chant and sacred polyphony
- Educate the parish in sacred music
- Serve as primary organist and director for weekends, obligatory days, and other Masses through the year
- Meet with the pastor on a regular basis to coordinate various aspects of liturgies
- Follow Church and civic law regarding copyrights etc.
- Maintain music library with assistance from a choir volunteer
- Create leaflets for funerals and certain liturgies

Qualifications and Experience:
- Faithful Catholic in good standing with the Church whose public and private life is consistent with Church teaching
- Master’s degree in sacred music, theology, liturgy, or similar preferred, Bachelor’s degree required; participation in CMAA events or AGO certifications considered as well
- Must posses deep knowledge of the Church's patrimony of sacred music
- Five (5) or more years of experience working in a church music program

Application Process:
Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume with three references, salary requirements, and any relevant recordings to Amanda Mayville at svdp@knoxcatholic.org. First round interviews will be conducted via video call, and top candidates will be invited to the church for an in-person audition. The position is available on September 1, 2026.

About the Employer:
St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish was founded in Knox County, Ohio in 2025, merging St. Luke Church (founded 1820) in Danville with St. Vincent de Paul Church (1840) and St. Vincent de Paul School (1856) in Mount Vernon into a single Catholic community. Our mission is to keep Christ at the center of our hearts, families, homes, and parish, so we can live the truth and share it with others. With the help of sacred scripture, tradition, and the sacraments, we strive to know, love and serve God in this world, while encouraging others to do the same, so we may live eternally in heaven with Christ, the angels, and the saints.

Rev. PJ Brandimarti, Incoming Pastor
Rev. James Farnan, Parochial Vicar
Rev. Msgr. Mark Hammond, VF, VE, Dean, Episcopal Vicar of Social Concerns, Pastor Emeritus

www.knoxcatholic.org