Director of Music, St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church, Trumbull, Connecticut
  • watwood
    Posts: 7
    St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church in Trumbull, CT, is seeking a full-time Director of Music and Liturgy. St. Theresa is a vibrant parish of about 3,300 families with an established traditional church music program.

    We have a three-manual 38 stop Peragallo pipe organ in the nave (with restoration work being carried out in September 2026) and a newly restored Baroque style two-manual tracker organ in the choir loft. Adjacent to the Peragallo organ, there is a Yamaha concert grand piano.

    The Parish Choir is composed of around 20 singers, including four professional section leaders (SATB). The choir sings high-quality literature ranging from Gregorian chant and polyphony through 21st century repertoire. The Consort is a subset of the Parish Choir for the most able sight-readers, which tackles more challenging repertoire. There is also a thriving Children’s Choir (Grades 3 through 6) and a Junior Schola (Grades 8 through 10). All three choirs combine to sing Masses on three or four occasions per year.

    For the right candidate, there is an opportunity to teach classes and lead the choir at St. Theresa School, which is adjacent to the church. Compensation for the school music teacher position would be additional income. While the Children’s Choir and Junior Schola consist of both parish school students and students from other local schools, direct involvement with the parish school has proven important for recruitment.

    The ideal candidate is a practicing Catholic familiar with teachings and liturgical practices of the Catholic Church, with years of experience in a large parish, and is an accomplished choral conductor with excellent organ, piano, communication, and organizational skills. He/she will be a good team player, able to work well with the clergy, professional musicians, and volunteers of all ages and professional musicians.

    Required education: BM (Choral Conducting or Organ Performance). Master’s degree is preferable.

    The Director of Music is responsible for directing the choirs, playing the organ, planning the music for all liturgies and special services during the year, and overseeing all aspects of the music program, such as providing an annual budget proposal to the pastor, the organization/maintenance of the choral library, maintenance of all the instruments, and the hiring and scheduling of all professional singers and instrumentalists, including cantors.

    • Parish Choir rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7.00pm – 8.30pm (September through Corpus Christi).
    • Children’s Choir / Junior Schola: Alternating Fridays, 3.30pm – 4.30pm.
    • There are four sung masses per weekend: Saturday Vigil Mass at 4.30pm (with cantor), and Sunday masses: 9:00am (Children’s Choir Mass twice a month), 10.30am High Mass with the Adult Choir (10.00am choral warm-up), and 12.00pm Mass (with cantor)
    • Extra services: Holy Days of Obligation (all 4 masses), Thanksgiving Service (Tuesday before Thanksgiving), Advent Carol Service or Christmas Concert (second weekend of December), Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, First Holy Communion Masses, Confirmation Mass, Tenebrae Service (Wednesday of Holy Week), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday, Pentecost Vespers, End of Bible Camp Mass, Mass of Remembrance (fall) and Mass of Anointing (spring).
    • Family Adoration (Sunday afternoon, once per month).
    • School Mass (Fridays when school in session: 9am) and 8th Grade Graduation (June).
    • Other Masses for guest organizations, e.g. Dominican Mass, St. Joseph High School Baccalaureate Mass.

    The Director of Music is also responsible for playing for funerals and weddings (coordinating with families, couples, hiring singers and instrumentalists, etc.). All these services are additional income. There are an average of 90 funerals and 20 weddings per year.

    The Director of Music is responsible for arranging for a substitute organist in the event of absence, illness, vacation, or professional development.

    This full-time position would start in the fall of 2026. It includes a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience, excellent benefits, and flexible hours.

    To apply please send a letter of interest and a resume to St. Theresa’s at sttheresa5301@google.com. Application deadline is September 5, 2026. Finalists will be invited for an interview with the pastor and the search committee and will be asked to rehearse in consort with the choir for approximately 30-minute time as well.

    Employment is contingent on successful completion of all background checks and Virtus requirements.