Director of Music (Boston, Massachusetts)

Date Posted: 
January 7, 2019
Organization Name: 
Saint Cecilia Parish
Contact Email: 
mkaye@stceciliaboston.org
Job Description: 

Position:       Director of Music

Reports to:   Pastoral Director of Operations

Saint Cecilia Parish in Boston, Massachusetts is seeking a Full-time Director of Music for our parish of approximately 3,500 families. We are a welcoming, passionate, and inclusive Roman Catholic church with a vibrant program that incorporates a broad range of liturgical musical styles.

Job Description: The Director of Music is responsible for nurturing the prayer life of the community through music, particularly in coordinating music for liturgical celebrations and fostering the growth of our music ministry. Through utilizing a variety of musical styles, the Director of Music helps the parish broaden its understanding of and appreciation for the role music can play in deepening our relationship to God. Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Music Leadership

  • Work collaboratively with the pastor and other staff members to infuse music into liturgical celebrations, ministry events and parish life.
  • Work cooperatively with our vibrant Liturgical Music Ministry, which includes professionals and approximately 80 volunteers (choir members and instrumentalists). Hire professionals, recruit new volunteers, schedule, and rehearse various music ministers for all liturgical celebrations:
    • 5 liturgies with music per weekend
    • 3 major sung liturgies, each with its own choir/ensemble, and a broad range of styles
    • Weddings, and funerals
    • Holy days, special liturgies (e.g. Ash Wednesday), the Easter Triduum, and additional services for liturgical seasons
  • Utilize a broad range of liturgical musical genres – from Gregorian Chant and sacred polyphony to Taizé and contemporary.
  • Provide mentoring of all music ministry members. Allow ministers to develop their gifts and to share them with our community. Create a joyful ministry where members feel connected to each other through a shared vocation and purpose.
  • Assess our current program needs with respect to staffing and an eye to our future growth. Propose a plan and budget to support the music program as outlined in Saint Cecilia Vision 2022.
  • Coordinate and provide organ and vocal music for all weddings including private consultation with each couple; assist with musical portions of their programs, hire additional instrumentalists/vocalists as necessary, conduct rehearsals as needed.
  • Oversee the development of student organ scholars or assistant organists, and volunteer accompanists and instrumentalists.
  • Coordinate the Saint Cecilia Concert Series. (Approx. 6-10 annual events). Select artists and coordinate publicity.

 

Music Resources & Instrument Maintenance

  • Develop annual budget with a strategic lens for the music program.
  • Oversee the maintenance of two parish pipe organs and two grand pianos.

 

Library Maintenance & Music Communications

  • Review new music and make additions to the choir music library as necessary according to funds budgeted.
  • Manage the digital and paper filing of all music and ensure it is organized and available for each choir/ensemble.
  • Design, develop, and print music programs for all sung liturgies. (2-3 separate programs per weekend, plus additional programs for major celebrations).
  • Author educational articles for the parish to be published in bulletin, on website, social media and other outlets

 

Pastoral Staff

  • Actively participate as a parish staff team member including providing expertise and insights during pastoral staff meetings, engaging in retreats and other activities that further the parish mission and Vision 2022.
  • Serve as a staff partner to additional ministries. Ensure the health of each ministry and develop lay leadership.

 

Instruments:

  • 4 manual, 54 rank Smith & Gilbert pipe organ
  • 2 manual, 8 rank Antiphonal pipe organ
  • 6’ 10” Schimmel grand piano

 

Qualifications/Requirements:  Personal characteristics are equally as important as technical skills. The successful candidate will be energetic, collaborative, engaging, charismatic, forward thinking, inviting, and pastoral. Other qualities include:

  • Excellent conducting, piano, organ, and vocal proficiency, with a mixture of contemporary and traditional music styles and improvisation skills.
  • Familiarity with Roman Catholic liturgy and the Liturgy Documents, in particular Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship and The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium).
  • Organizational skills and knowledge of general computer programs. Familiarity with Finale or Sibelius notation software is very helpful.
  • A degree in music and a minimum of five years of experience are strongly preferred.

 

Competitive salary and benefits with additional stipends for weddings and funerals. This is both a local and nation-wide search. We intend to fill the position by March 1, 2019.

Please send resume and cover letter to Mary Kaye, Pastoral Director of Operations mkaye@stceciliaboston.org

 

Link to organization website