SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
CATHOLIC CHURCH
POSITION DESCRIPTION
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND LITURGY
Mission Statement: Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church believes that God’s
saving presence is made visible in Christ Jesus and that God touches all people through
the mystery of the Risen Christ and His kingdom. We believe that by proclaiming the
Gospel, worshipping, building community and serving others, we participate in the
mystery of Christ among us.
The Director of Music and Liturgy (DML) facilitates the liturgical setting and music for
all liturgical celebrations. The (DML) is responsible for facilitating the worship life of
the parish community by coordinating and providing quality liturgical experiences which
celebrate and strengthen the congregation’s journey of faith. The responsibilities and
qualifications of the position are many:
Reports to Pastor and General Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Responsibilities
DML as Parish Music Director. The Director of Music and Liturgy is responsible for:
1. Coordinating the music ministry for all parish liturgies;
2. Assuming the role of leading musician (accompanist or choral director);
3. Making creative choices of music and their judicious placement for liturgical
celebrations;
4. Recruiting and scheduling various music ministries (e.g., choirs, cantors,
instrumentalists);
5. Trains, directs, and supervises choirs, instrumental ensembles and cantors;
6. Prepares assembly for liturgies through rehearsals prior to liturgies, rehearsals
with students in parish religious education programs.
7. One day a week will have multiple choir practices, e.g. Wednesday.
8. You will meet with the Pastoral Administrator every Friday before 9:30 a.m. to
discuss the pulpit announcements, prayer intentions and etc.
9. Every Monday morning you will meet with the General Manager to discuss the
week-end Mass and/or any problems that arose over the week-end.
10. You must pick a day during the week to be off since you work Saturday and
Sunday; Monday and Friday will not be good days to take off, since you have to
meet with the Pastoral Administrator and General Manager.
11. Must provide coverage for the Saturday Vigil, Sunday Mass for 10:30 a.m. and
12:00 p.m. (With Pastors approval may use other choirs to cover these
Masses once a month).
1
DML as Parish Liturgical Director. The Director of Music and Liturgy is responsible
for:
1. Liturgy planning (working with the Pastor and Liturgy Committee) including
leading the Liturgy Committee;
2. Making creative choices of liturgical variations and their placement in liturgical
celebrations; meet with the Pastoral Administrator once a week to discuss the
liturgy and any seasonal liturgy that may be coming up;
3. Recruiting, forming, and scheduling various liturgical ministers (e.g., lectors,
Extraordinary Ministers, Altar Society, Altar Servers, EMHC, and Cantors);
4. Securing proper copyrights for all worship participation aids;
5. Working with the Director of Religious Education and staff to prepare for
children’s liturgies;
6. Meeting with engaged couples for the preparation of wedding liturgies and music
selections;
7. Preparing liturgy and music for funeral liturgies.
DML as Educator. The Director of Music and Liturgy is responsible for educating the
parish in music and liturgy according to the vision of the Second Vatican Council. This
responsibility includes;
1. Helping the parish grow in its understanding of the role of music in the liturgy;
2. Helping the parish learn new liturgical adaptations & music at an appropriate
pace;
3. Serving as a resource to educate the parish council, Liturgy Committee, and
pastoral staff;
4. Serving as a resource person in liturgy & music for the religious education
process;
5. Fostering and developing the liturgical sense and musicianship of ministers and
clergy;
6. Coordinating workshops and concerts as needed.
DML as Administrator. The Director of Music and Liturgy is responsible for;
1. Making liturgy and music policies in conjunction with the Liturgy Committee and
pastoral staff, taking into consideration Diocesan and national guidelines;
2. Formulating a music and liturgy budget for the parish worship program;
3. Developing and maintaining a liturgical music library of various styles and genres
for assembly, choir, cantor, and instrumentalist;
4. Maintaining the parish’s musical instruments;
5. Making recommendations for the purchase of instruments, sound equipment,
missalettes, hymnals and church supplies, Learn and operate parish audio/ video
systems.
6. Making recommendations for renovations and new construction in conjunction
with the parish building committee as needed;
7. Securing other musicians as needed for special celebrations, such as Christmas,
Easter, Confirmation, etc.
DML as Person of Faith. As a pastoral minister, the Director of Music and Liturgy has
the responsibility to nurture his or her own faith in order to nurture the faith of others.
2
DML as Professional Person. Commitment to professional development is a mutual
responsibility of the musician and the parish. In order to maintain a competent level of
professionalism, the responsibility of the Director of Music and Liturgy includes;
1. Practicing to improve or maintain skills in voice, conducting, and the instruments
upon which the musician is expected to perform;
2. Researching developing, and mastering new music;
3. Pursuing educational advancement in musical skills that relate to the parish’s
needs (e.g., organ, choral directing, vocal pedagogy);
4. Keeping current with official statements and documents on music, liturgy, and
developments in the pastoral field;
5. Studying various liturgical and musical publications;
6. Membership in professional organizations and attendance at national and area
conferences and workshops;
7. Periodic coursework in the field of pastoral liturgy and liturgical music.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. A practicing Catholic willing to enter into the faith life of the community he/she
serves and leads.
2. Prudent balance of enthusiasm and patience, and an ability to work in
collaboration with others.
3. Bachelor’s or masters degree in music or its equivalent.
4. Musical leadership requires skills in the following areas: keyboard, voice and
conducting, as well as contemporary instrumental ensembles, orchestration,
handbells, children’s choirs, composition and familiarity with musical styles of
various cultures of the community.
5. A thorough understanding of Roman Catholic liturgical theology and praxis.
6. Knowledge of the history and repertoire of sacred music.
7. A willingness to keep informed of liturgical pastoral developments and to
participate in continuing education to maintain and further musical expertise.
8.








The Director of Music Ministry should demonstrate the ability to:
Select and teach new music to the assembly;
Develop the musicianship of cantors and other musicians;
Nurture musicianship of the youth;
Serve as a resource to parish as well as persons involved in other ministries;
Provide liturgical guidance in sensitive pastoral situations, such as preparation of
funerals;
Lead and animate the community’s sung prayer;
Administer a multifaceted liturgy & music program including planning,
budgeting, scheduling, and timely communication with other liturgical ministers;
Work in collaboration with other ministers of the parish.
3
Work Schedule
The Director of Music and Liturgy normally is not expected to be present for all parish
liturgies or work an indeterminate number of hours. However, he/she is expected to
cover key services and work a 40 hour week as follows:
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Preparation and other duties from home






9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
12:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
OFF
9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
5 Hours
8 hours Accompanying liturgies
5 hours Rehearsal of music ministers
10 hours Preparation, outlining content of worship, other musical/organizational
tasks
8 hours Liturgy preparation, music selection, researching new music, advance
seasonal planning, assisting parish personnel in liturgical/musical matters
5 hours Personal instrument practice
4 hours Other administrative tasks, meetings, copyright procedures, etc
40 hours total
Since the main liturgies occur on Saturday and Sunday, appropriate other time
off is given with the understanding and approval of the Pastor and General
Manager.
4
Disclaimer about Duties and responsibilities
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general
nature and level of work performed by team members within this classification. It is not
designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties,
responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions.
This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of difficulty that will
be required of this position. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing
duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or
level of difficulty. This description is not intended to be promissory nor should it be
construed as contractual.
Signature __________________________________
Dated: ________________
5