Director of Sacred Music
Notre Dame Catholic Church
Clarendon Hills, Illinois
Position: Director of Sacred Music
Reports to: Pastor

About Notre Dame Catholic Church
At Notre Dame Catholic Church, our vision is simple: To know Jesus, make disciples, and become saints. This vision shapes every aspect of our parish life, from the celebration of the Sacraments and the proclamation of the Gospel to the formation of our parish community in the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith. We believe that the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy is at the heart of parish life and that sacred music plays an essential role in drawing hearts and minds toward God.

Over the past several years, Notre Dame has been intentionally cultivating a liturgical music program rooted in the rich musical tradition of the Catholic Church, emphasizing beautiful hymnody, chant, and the singing of the Mass itself.
We are seeking a talented, faithful, and visionary Director of Sacred Music who shares this commitment and desires to build upon it.

Primary Responsibilities
Liturgical Music and Worship
• Plan, coordinate, and provide music for Sunday Masses, Holy Days of Obligation, major solemnities, and other parish
liturgical celebrations.
• Select music that is faithful to the liturgical calendar and the Church's teachings on sacred music.
• Foster the continued integration of traditional Catholic hymnody, chant, and the proper antiphons of the Mass.
• Incorporate a thoughtful variety of musical styles and expressions that are appropriate to the Sacred Liturgy,
maintaining a consistent emphasis on beauty, reverence, and prayerfulness.
• Encourage the singing of the liturgy itself, including the ordinary parts of the Mass, responsorial psalms, and other
appropriate liturgical texts.
• Cultivate strong congregational singing, helping parishioners grow in both their familiarity with and appreciation for
the Church's treasury of sacred music.
• Collaborate with the Pastor in continuing to develop and refine the parish's liturgical music program.
• Coordinate sacred music for weddings, funerals, school Masses, and other sacramental and devotional celebrations as needed.


Musical Leadership and Development
• Direct and develop the parish choir, providing regular rehearsals and opportunities for musical growth.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and mentor cantors, choir members, instrumentalists, and other musicians. Currently, Notre
Dame hires and pays professional cantors.
• Foster a welcoming and joyful environment among members of the music ministry, encouraging both musical
excellence and spiritual growth.
• Explore opportunities to develop additional musical ensembles, including a schola, and to maybe incorporate sacred
polyphony into the parish’s liturgical music program.
• Maintain high standards of musical preparation, professionalism, and reverence in all liturgical celebrations.
• Oversee the proper maintenance, tuning, and care of the parish’s pipe organ, piano, and other musical instruments,
coordinating with qualified technicians as needed.


Parish Collaboration and Administration
• Work collaboratively with the Pastor, parish staff, clergy, and school leadership to support the spiritual and liturgical
mission of Notre Dame.
• Coordinate music schedules, rehearsals, and special liturgical celebrations.
• Oversee the parish's sacred music resources, including hymnals, musical scores, instruments, and other materials.
• Assist in the preparation and administration of the sacred music budget.
• Participate in parish staff meetings and other relevant planning meetings.
• Support the ongoing musical and liturgical formation of the parish community.


Qualifications
Catholic Faith and Mission
• A strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a deep love for His Church.
• A practicing Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church, committed to faithfully living the Catholic faith,
including the five precepts of the Church as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2041–2043).
• A commitment to living and conducting oneself, both personally and professionally, in a manner consistent with
Catholic doctrine and moral teaching, recognizing the responsibility to provide an authentic witness to the faith and
uphold the mission of Notre Dame Catholic Church and the Diocese of Joliet.

Required or Strongly Preferred:
• A deep appreciation for the Catholic Church's sacred liturgy and musical tradition.
• Strong proficiency in both pipe organ and piano, with the ability to accompany and lead congregational singing
confidently.
• Demonstrated ability to direct choirs and work effectively with singers and musicians of varying experience levels.
• Familiarity with traditional hymnody, chant, liturgical antiphons, and the broader repertoire of Catholic sacred music.
• Familiarity with the Church's teachings and liturgical documents on sacred music, including Sacrosanctum Concilium,
Musicam Sacram, and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, with an ability to apply these principles thoughtfully
in parish liturgical life.
• An appreciation for a variety of musical styles, coupled with sound liturgical judgment in selecting music appropriate
for Catholic worship.
• Understanding of the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar, the structure of the Mass, and the appropriate role of music
within the liturgy.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative spirit, pastoral sensitivity, and a desire to serve the spiritual needs of the parish.
• A commitment to musical excellence and the ability to inspire others toward that same goal.


Preferred:
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Sacred Music, Music, Organ Performance, Choral Conducting, or a related field.
• Previous experience directing a Catholic parish music program.
• Experience with traditional Catholic hymnody, chant, sacred polyphony
• Familiarity with sacred music resources and technologies used in liturgical planning.


The Ideal Candidate
Beyond musical proficiency, Notre Dame seeks someone who understands that sacred music is not a performance, but a form of prayer and an essential part of the Church's worship. Our Director of Sacred Music should possess a love for the beauty and richness of the Catholic tradition, while also demonstrating the pastoral wisdom needed to engage a living parish community.

We seek someone who can preserve what is beautiful, introduce what is excellent, and patiently form a congregation in the Church's musical heritage. The ideal candidate will be rooted in the Church's sacred music tradition while possessing the creativity and discernment to incorporate a variety of musical expressions that serve the liturgy well.
Above all, we are looking for someone who recognizes that the ultimate purpose of sacred music is not simply to create beautiful sound, but to glorify God and lead His people into a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ.


Application
Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume, cover letter, and relevant information about their musical and liturgical experience to the pastor. Fr. Mark: frmark@notredameparish.org

Compensation and benefits will be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and the responsibilities of the position.