Job Opening-Director of Music and Liturgy

This is a full-time position in our parish of 1,100 families. The Director assists in the planning and preparation of parish liturgies, directs adult and children’s choirs, coordinates the music program, and recruits and trains volunteer musicians and liturgical ministers. We are seeking a candidate with strong choral directing skills who is also able to play the pipe organ. The preferred candidate will have a degree in music and strong practical and professional knowledge of Catholic liturgy. Salary plus benefits. A full job description is available under MINISTRIES, MUSIC web page "Director of Music and Liturgy". Submit a cover letter and resume to Mark Frederick, Parish Administrator, online at ssppadmin@hickorytech.net.

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Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church
105 N. 5th St
Mankato, MN 56001

JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Director of Music and Liturgy
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Pastor
Effective Date: January 25, 2012

SCOPE OF DUTIES
General Statement of Duties: The Director of Music and Liturgy works with the Pastor and Liturgy Committee to plan liturgies and music and is the principal organist for the parish. The Director develops and directs choirs to provide musical leadership on Sundays and for other special liturgies that will lead the parishioners of SS. Peter & Paul “to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations called for the by the very nature of the liturgy” (Sacrosanctum Concilium #14)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Oversee all music and musical groups in the parish.
Play the organ or piano for Masses and Funerals.
Recruit members for, develop, and direct, or oversee the direction of, the St. Cecilia Choir, Folk Choir, Children’s choir, Funeral Choir, Bell Choir, and other choirs as determined by the Pastor or Director to be necessary.
Prepare weekly orders of worship for the congregation, lector, and celebrant.
With Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Liturgy Committee, plan liturgies and music.
Meet with the liturgy committee on at least a monthly basis.
Other tasks as required by the pastor.
Prepare for and lead Liturgy Committee meetings.
Plan or oversee planning for all music for congregational singing and choirs.
Work with liturgy committee to plan environment for seasons and feasts.
Play for funerals, rehearse funeral choir before each funeral. Playing for funerals is a requirement of this position. Compensation is included in regular salary. If music director chooses not to play for a funeral, he/she must reimburse the parish for a substitute. No reimbursement is necessary if the music director is sick or on vacation.
Organ/piano practice
Office work: making and returning phone calls, typing, music filing, music ordering, looking at new music, scholarly reading.
Schedule and rehearse cantors for Masses at which there will be no choir.
Recruit and rehearse special extra musicians for feast days (strings, brass, harp, etc.), within approved budget.
Find and schedule substitute musicians when going on vacation.
Work with other community churches on ecumenical projects such as the annual Thanksgiving service, VINE choral festival or musical, MN Valley Handbell festival.
See to the maintenance and tuning of the parish’s pianos and pipe organ within approved budget.
Play organ/piano for weddings as requested; rehearse soloists for weddings.
Approve outside organists who may use the pipe organ.
Participate in Diocesan Liturgies when possible (Rite of Election, Chrism Mass, Ordination)
Schedule and host outside performing groups using the church for concerts such as the MN Valley Chorale, Mankato State University choirs, guest organ recitalists.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Arts degree in Organ Performance or Choral Directing, Liturgical Music, or an equivalent degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.
Experience performing and directing music at the Catholic liturgy in a parish setting.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must be skilled choral director, including the ability to director from the bench.
Must be a skilled keyboard player with ability to play the pipe organ.
Must be knowledgeable of the Catholic liturgy.
Must be able to get along well with people.
Must be attentive to details and accuracy.
Must demonstrate initiative and be self- motivating.
Must be flexible in meeting the needs of the job and able to follow direction.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED
Organ, piano, hand bells, microphones, computer, telephone, copier, and printer.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to
use hands and arms to play musical keyboards, direct music, type, handle, feel or operate objects
or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to sit, talk, and
hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work of the Director of Music is done indoors in a noisy environment while playing the
keyboard and during choir rehearsals and performances, and in a moderately quiet office setting.