Director of Sacred Music and Liturgy

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, a vibrant parish in Sun City West, Arizona is seeking a full-time Director of Sacred Music and Liturgy. Our Lady of Lourdes Church boasts a 5-manual Rodgers hybrid organ with extensive pipework, a balanced choir of 40 (winter) to 20 (summer) members, and an endowed annual Concert Series, which hosts 3-4 concerts per season (October-May). The Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes and her Parishioners value learning new music, are very supportive of the choir and the arts, and desire someone with experience to bring fresh, new ideas to a stable music program. The Parish is currently exploring an extensive remodeling of the choir/music area with the new Director of Sacred Music & Liturgy able to offer input as to the necessary changes.
The Director of Sacred Music:
• Selects music for all pertinent liturgies based on the liturgical season and the readings
• Chooses music familiar to the congregation and introduces new music with special focus on retention
• Prepares and reproduces worship aids for weekend and other liturgies
• Hires and schedules professional cantors, choir accompanist and other musicians as needed
• Directs the Parish Choir and plans, purchases and generates music for choir use
• Plays the organ and/or sings for some weekend Masses and most other special liturgies such as Holy Days, Weddings, and Funerals
• Manages the organ concert series of 3 or 4 guest artists per year
• Maintains all Parish-owned instruments and the sound system
• Plays and sings, or arranges a musician, for Funerals
• Supervises the Parish Organist, who accompanies the choir
• Compiles, writes, or otherwise creates descant parts for other instruments used in liturgies
• Contracts special musicians (Brass, Strings, etc) for Solemnities like Christmas and Easter
The Director of Liturgy:
• Creates a regular schedule of Altar Servers and Readers (the Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers are self-sufficient)
• Maintains appropriate stock of liturgical necessities (host, wine, etc) and purchases more, as needed
• Offers regular training and workshops for Liturgical Ministers
• Ensures communication of Pastor's needs/desires for Masses to the Ministers
The successful candidate should possess the following qualifications:
• Graduate degree in music with special preference for Church Music, Vocal or Organ Performance, or Music Education
o Undergraduate degree with extensive experience accepted
• Choral conducting experience required
• At least 3-5 years of experience in a similar position is preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and in a music notation program such as Sibelius or Finale
• Ability to pass a background check, which may include fingerprinting, drug testing and credit history
• Outstanding communication, organizational and interpersonal abilities
• Practicing Catholic in good standing OR extensive experience with Roman Catholic liturgy
• The ability to obtain an Arizona driver's license
• Humility and a desire to serve God's people in music ministry
• Ability to collaborate with the staff, the Pastor, choir members and stipend employees
• Desire to carry out the Pastor's wishes and vision for music in the parish
Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Benefits are offered according to diocesan and parish policies. Safe environment training is required of all parish employees and volunteers. Demonstration of organ and vocal skills will be required. For each newly-hired employee, we utilize E-Verify, an internet-based system operated by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) by electronically comparing the information on your Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) with SSA, DHS and U.S. Dept. of State (DOS) records to verify your identity and employment eligibility.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume and references to Kaitlynn Eaton, Director of Sacred Music and Liturgy at [email protected] Accepting applications until April 5.