Director of Music

Director of Music/Main Accompanist
of St. William Catholic Church, St. Simons Island, Georgia
We are seeking an energetic, passionate, and dedicated full-time Director of Music and Main
Accompanist (Organ and Piano). The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing the Music
Ministry, including selecting music, approving music requested to be played at weddings and
funerals, directing the choirs, serving as St. William's primary accompanist, and coordinating with
its other musicians and singers (as well as guest musicians and singers), all to foster greater benefit
from the Masses and other services at St. William by its parishioners and visitors. The Director of
Music at St. William Catholic Church is asked to support the faith and morals of the Catholic
Church through word and example.
Please apply to [email protected] by May 15th, 2025.
All candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Music (e.g., Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts
in Music, Bachelor of Music in Music Education or Performance) and have experience in
Church/Liturgical Music. Being a Catholic in good standing is preferred but not required.
However, candidates must be familiar with the Catholic Liturgy and the music that supports it.
The basics:
1. This position reports to the pastor and will coordinate with the parish administrator.
2. Will arrange for coverage when away from the parish as needed for a particular Mass or
other service.
3. Will be proficient in singing and playing the organ and piano (a choir director must be able
to sing!).
4. Will work closely with the pastor and other choir members in promoting good liturgical
music, preserving the best of the past and the most notable of the present.
5. Will plan each weekend's musical liturgy well in advance, striving to incorporate music
that supports the readings of the day or the liturgical celebration of the day. The Music
Director prepares a weekly printed program for the celebrant, cantors, choir, and musicians.
Music selection is of key importance. It must be both liturgically correct and engaging,
facilitating participation through prayerful reflection or congregational singing.
6. This is a full-time position working 35 to 40 hours per week, eligible for benefits, with pay
range of $60,000 to $75,000 commensurate with abilities, musical training, and experience.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Will be the main musical accompanist and choir director for the Parish.
2. Will be the main musical accompanist for Vigil Mass on Saturdays and the 8:00 a.m. Mass
on Sundays.
3. Will be the main musical accompanist and choir director for the 10:30 a.m. Mass on
Sundays.
4. Will be the main musical accompanist and choir director for all Holy Days of Obligation
Masses, as well as for Confirmation and First Holy Communion Masses.
5. Will be the main musical accompanist and choir director for Holy Thursday, Good Friday,
and Easter Vigil Mass as well as Easter Sunday Masses.
a. On Christmas and at Easter, we typically require two additional Masses (usually
held in the Parish Hall), the times of which overlap with the Masses in the church.
The Director of Music/Main Accompanist is responsible for ensuring that there is
appropriate music for such Masses, accompanied by the Parish's Secondary
Accompanist and/or other musicians (either paid, if pre-approved by the Pastor and
Parish Administrator, or volunteer).
6. Funerals: Will meet with family and funeral coordinator to discuss and choose music/songs
for funeral liturgy. Will guide and explain the psalm response, Song of Farewell, and other
funeral details to the bereaved family members. The Director of Music/Main Accompanist
should either play for the funeral or, if requested, serve as Cantor and arrange for another
accompanist (for separate additional compensation by the family).
7. Weddings: Will meet with the bride/groom to plan music for weddings and will supervise
and rehearse with outside singers/musicians and purchasing music (for a separate fee, if
not already in the Music Ministry's library). Approval for outside singer/musicians rests
with the Director of Music alone! The Director of Music will ensure that all music for
weddings is appropriate, i.e., sacred or classical (absolutely no pop music or secular music
or sacred words set to secular tunes are allowed).
Additional Responsibilities as Choir Director:
1. Will conduct rehearsals with the adult choir (currently on Wednesday nights) and direct
the adult choir at least on Mass per weekend (currently the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Morning
Mass).
2. Will direct the adult choir for the Christmas Masses as well as Easter Masses held in the
church and, for any additional Masses held elsewhere (e.g., the Parish Hall or outdoors),
will ensure that there is appropriate music for such Masses, including accompaniment by
the Parish's Secondary Accompanist and/or other musicians (either paid, if pre-approved
by the Pastor and Parish Administrator, or volunteer).
3. Is responsible for selecting and training cantors from active members of the choir and for
scheduling them to serve at weekend Masses and for all other services at which having a
Cantor is appropriate.
4. Will be able to serve as cantor when needed (although a choir director can direct from the
keyboard, as cantor he/she would have to assume the cantor position as song leader and
have another musician at the keyboard).
5. Will maintain the Music Ministry's music library, including purchasing new or
replacement music with approval from the pastor and parish administrator.
6. Will ensure that the parish's musical instruments and related equipment are well
maintained (key among these are the church's organ [an Allen Quantum] and its Steinway
grand piano).
7. Will ensure that all copyright licensing, usage, and reporting requirements are fulfilled,
including during livestreamed presentations.
8. Will supervise and coordinate the Parish employees or volunteers who operate the
livestreaming equipment.
9. Will recruit, train, and direct a children's/youth choir.
Additional Responsibilities as Bell Choir Director:
1. Will conduct rehearsals as appropriate with the Bell Choir.
2. Will direct the Bell Choir when appropriate (occasional Masses, Christmas Concert, etc.).