Title: Director of Music
Location: St Mary in Delaware, Ohio
Full-time: Benefits eligible
Salary: 45-60k (based on experience)
Position Overview:
St. Mary Catholic Church is seeking a full-time Director of Music/Organist/Choir Director. The ideal candidate will possess strong organ, piano, and conducting skills, along with a background in Catholic liturgical music. A Bachelor’s degree in Music is required. The candidate must be able to collaborate effectively with parish staff and organizations. Preference will be given to practicing Catholics.
This is a 40-hour per week salaried position with benefits. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. The position is open immediately or at a mutually agreed-upon start date.
Core Responsibilities
1. Liturgical & Instrumental Leadership - Serve as principal organist and/or pianist for weekend Masses, Holy Days, school liturgies, weddings, funerals, and special celebrations.
- Provide preludes, postludes, and service music appropriate to the liturgical seasons
- Arrange sheet music (e.g., Source & Summit) for parish liturgies
- Study hymns and service music to encourage strong congregational participation
- Coordinate bilingual music with the Spanish choir director.
2. Choir & Ensemble Leadership
- Direct the adult parish choir (Tuesday evening rehearsals; Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass).
- Develop and build both adult and youth choir programs.
- Direct instrumental ensembles and collaborate with parish musicians.
- Recruit, train, and retain choir members.
- Develop vocal technique, ensemble blend, diction, and conducting precision.
- Distribute weekly music packets (typically Mondays via email)
- Provide pastoral support and encouragement to choir members and volunteers.
- Teach basic music reading, theory, and liturgical context when appropriate.
- Foster a collaborative and spiritually grounded rehearsal environment.
- Promote understanding of sacred music within Catholic worship
3. Cantor & Musician Coordination - Train and schedule cantors for parish Masses (currently utilizing Google Calendar).
- Schedule organists and musicians; coordinate music distribution via email/Google drive
- Hire musicians for solemnities, weddings, funerals, and Sunday Masses.
- Process monthly musician payment requests.
- Coordinate worship aid formatting and approval with parish staff.
4. Weddings & Funerals - Meet with engaged couples to plan wedding music
- Hire and coordinate musicians
- Attend wedding rehearsals
- Maintain and provide funeral music guidelines
- Prepare music packets for funeral liturgies in partnership with Funeral Coordinator
5. Administration & Planning - Collaborate with clergy and Liturgy Committee in selecting appropriate liturgical music
- Attend weekly staff meetings.
- Prepare notes for Liturgy Committee meetings and participate actively
- Maintain the parish music library and digital resources
- Oversee the music ministry budget in partnership with Business Manager
- Coordinate instrument maintenance and tuning
- Organ Renovation Oversight
- Communicate with parish leadership regarding organ renovation research and updates.
- Liaise with organ builders and consultants.
- Participate in Church loft renovation planning and execution with Building Committee
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in music (Master’s preferred).
- Strong background in Catholic liturgical music.
- Proficiency in organ, piano, conducting, and vocal leadership
- Evidence of successful choir directing
- Ability to work effectively with children and youth.
- Skilled in musical arrangement.
- Knowledge of basic sound reinforcement systems (mixers, microphones)
- Strong organizational, communication, and administrative skills
- Basic budgeting and financial management ability
- Ability to recruit and retain volunteer musicians
- Competency in both traditional and contemporary sacred music styles.
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