Director Music & Liturgy at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Parish Scottsdale – Scottsdale, Arizona

General Description:

Under the general supervision and in collaboration with the Pastor, the Director of Music and Liturgy provides leadership and direction for the planning and execution of all parish liturgies and celebrations, as well as supporting the parish music program. This role involves directing the development and coordination of all liturgical and music ministries, ensuring the appropriate selection of liturgical music for parish events, and fostering unity among all parish musicians and groups, such as choirs. The Director also manages the parish’s liturgy and music budget and performs any other tasks related to the position as deemed necessary or as directed by the Pastor.

Duties of the Job:

· Liturgy-related:

• Direct the planning and coordination of Sunday and seasonal liturgies; direct the Liturgy Planning Committee in coordinating themes, environment, and ministerial practices; periodically attends liturgies for evaluation purposes.
• Provide leadership and assistance to the Parish Liturgy Ministries; coordinate the work of the Liturgy Ministries and their various meetings. Meet regularly with the Parish Liturgy Ministry Coordinators and serve as a resource and guide for their mission and work.
• Assist and support special liturgy coordinators, such as Coordinators of Weddings and Funerals, Director of Catechetical Ministry (First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation), Initiation Team, Baptism Coordinator, Youth Ministry (i.e. Life Teen Youth Ministry celebrations), and Small Christian Communities Ministry.
• Oversee the aesthetic decor (art and environment) of the worship space, the provision of sacred vessels and vestments, the purchase of worship aids, homily helps, and other resources, as well as manage procurement and storage of liturgical resources.
• Ensure sufficient supplies for liturgical celebrations such as hosts, wine, and worship aids.
• Make information available about and promote opportunities for ongoing liturgical formation, including workshops, retreats, and conferences.

· Music-related:

• As needed, provide liturgical music for all liturgical celebrations by planning, implementing, and directing the Parish’s music ministry.
• Organize choirs for Parish Masses: plan and attend weekly choir rehearsals and direct the choirs.
• Direct musical ministers (musicians, accompanists, vocalists, cantors, choirs, etc., paid or volunteer and/or professional or amateur), including priests and deacons in their musical roles. Training will be based on Diocesan guidelines and community needs.
• Provide adequate up-to-date liturgical music information for self and choir members by means of regional, national, and local liturgy resources.
• As needed, assist Ministry Coordinators with music planning and playing for weddings and funerals, and or special celebrations, such as Confirmation Masses and Youth Ministry events. As needed, approve all guest organists, singers, instrumentalists, and music selection.

· Prepare music selections for each celebration and create a seasonal music schedule.

• Educate the Parish in community participation through singing and other involvement. Teach and encourage the assembly to sing.
• Maintain and improve own professional music competence through regular music practice.

· General:

• Direct the invitation, recruitment, appointment, development, training, scheduling, coordination, supervision, evaluation, and support of liturgy and music staff; as well as, volunteer stewards (i.e. ministers of care, choir members, ministers of hospitality, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, Ministers of the Word, altar servers, sacristans, altar linens and others). Develop and periodically review Liturgy and Music-related job descriptions and evaluation criteria.
• Assist lay coordinators with recruiting and training of ministers.
• Conduct periodic evaluations within the Parish to determine music and liturgical needs.
• Develop and maintain accurate record-keeping of liturgical and music programs.
• Develop and/or review worship aids for liturgy and prayer services for accuracy and content. Ensure compliance with reprint and copyright laws.
• Periodically review and evaluate the quality of Parish sacramental celebrations and supporting ministries in order to make recommendations for change/improvement.
• Network with the Diocesan Office of Worship and other liturgy and music professionals. Participate in local, regional, and national job-related organizations.
• Keep self, clergy, parish staff, stewards, and Parish up-to-date on evolving liturgical and music norms and practices of the Catholic Church.
• Provide formational and renewal spiritual experiential opportunities for liturgy and music ministers, clergy, parish staff, and parishioners.
• Manage parish liturgy and music promotional (i.e., parish’s bulletin, newsletter, and website) materials, articles, announcements, and communication process.
• Assess music and liturgical needs to prepare and administer applicable budget in consultation with the Pastor and Parish HR Manager. As needed, partner with and or keep Parish HR Manager updated on any job-related physical plant needs, maintenance requirements, and/or upgrades.
• Supervise the maintenance and use of all Parish liturgical-related equipment, including, but not limited to organ, piano, etc. Coordinate purchases and/or repairs with the Parish Manager.
• Supervise the use and storage of all liturgical and musical equipment and resources.
• Maintain the parish’s liturgical and music library.
• Serve as a member of the Pastoral Staff, attend and participate in staff meetings and staff activities.

Job Requirements:

· A minimum of three (3) years in liturgical music and/or liturgy leadership is preferred.

· A certificate in liturgy and/or liturgical music is preferred.

· Should be comfortable in planning music of all styles.

· Proficiency in choral, organ, and/or piano skills is preferred, i.e., must have technical experience of music, music instruments, choral direction, musical teaching, and choir/instrumentalist recruitment and management. Must be able to discern the limitations and capabilities of vocalists and instrumentalists.

· Have knowledge of Catholic Church (global, national, and diocesan) and Vatican II directives, trends, norms, and practices in the fields of Liturgy, Music, and other related fields (i.e., in order to break open the Liturgical Word and to integrate music appropriate to the scripture text).

· Must be a motivated and energetic person who will be able to take initiative in fulfilling tasks in a professional manner;

· Must have a collaborative approach to ministry, i.e., maintains a supportive and respectful relationship with other members of the Pastoral Staff, lay leaders, and parishioners.

· Must be able to work with a wide variety of personalities.

· Must have initiative, creativity, sensitivity to the needs of people, and sound judgment regarding individual and program needs.

· Must be attentive to details.

· Must be able to work independently with little direct supervision and frequent interruptions.

· Must be accurate in fiscal matters and statistical data.

· Must follow parish and diocesan policies and procedures.

· Perform other job-related duties deemed necessary and/or assigned by the Pastor.