Description
A Vision for Music Ministry
The Director of Music Ministry is a professional who holds specialized credentials in music and who has a thorough understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy and the mission of the parish community, “Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are welcome here.” The parish mission flows from the Paulist Fathers’ Mission Direction Statement of reconciliation, evangelization, and ecumenism/inter-faith relations. In these missionary contexts, the Director of Music Ministry is responsible for the collaborative planning, coordination, and execution of music within the liturgical celebrations of the parish and public performances of sacred music. “…Every liturgical celebration…is a sacred action surpassing all others” (Constitu- tion on the Sacred Liturgy, #7). “Among the many signs and symbols used by the Church to celebrate its faith, music is of preeminent importance…Music should assist the assembled believers to express and share the gift of faith that is within them, and strengthen their interior commitment of faith” (Music in Catholic Worship, #23).
The Director of Music reports directly to the Pastor. Work schedule includes Saturdays, multiple Masses on Sundays, and all major Catholic holy days, some of which coincide with public holidays.
Ministry of Administration
The Director of Music Ministry:
- Collaborates with the Pastor, under his supervision, and with other members of the pastoral and school staff, integrating musical expertise with the mission of the parish and school.
- Directs the parish music program, selects and plans music in cooperation with the Pastor and Parish Liturgy Council for use in parish liturgies.
- Plans music and schedules musicians for all Sunday Masses (5 each weekend) and other major celebrations, including Sacramental services (Confirmation, First Communion, Reconciliation, Ordination, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage), Holy Week, Christmas, parish and Paulist feast days, holy days of obligation, and weddings and funerals.
- Attends principal parish events, keeping attuned to the living faith and real concerns of parishioners.
- Responsible to attend the following meetings: parish staff and liturgy council meetings and other parish meetings as necessary, e.g., Finance Council.
- Designs and produces liturgical leaflets for the congregation for all five weekend Masses and additional feasts, including weddings and funerals.
- Maintains musical instruments (two Steinway pianos and the 68 rank Reuter-Rosales pipe organ).
- Ensures licensing and copyright permission of music and texts is properly administered and reported, with updated accounts via One License and CCLI for performance, printing, and live streaming.
- Prepares and manages the budget for the parish music program in collaboration with the Pastor, Parish Administrator, and Finance Council.
- Collaborates with the School Principal, Director of Religious Education, Youth Minister, and other staff to coordinate and ensure appropriate music for all parish sacramental celebrations, and provides them with consultation and needed assistance.
- Recruits, hires, schedules, and oversees a regular staff of 12 professional musicians and over 30 volunteers, and administers monthly payroll for professional musicians.
- Contracts special (temporary) instrumentalists and ensembles and coordinates compensation with the Finance Manager.
- Serves as administrative head of all concerts held in the church, which includes serving as a liaison between the church and the performing organizations, scheduling, coordination of maintenance and other involved staff, and “house” management.
- May participate in an annual 5-day spiritual retreat.
Ministry of Worship
The Director of Music Ministry:
- Plays organ for the Saturday Vigil and Sunday 7:30 AM Masses. Repertoire includes voluntaries, hymns, the Ordinary, and other liturgically appropriate music.
- Serves as Conductor and Artistic Director of the semi-professional, 23-voice Schola Cantorum, which sings for the Sunday 11:30 AM Mass. Selects a broad range of classical music from the vast treasury of the Church for Sunday Masses and special liturgies, planned a year in advance. This choir is accompanied strictly by organ, or for special occasions, small instrumental ensembles (i.e. strings/brass) or chamber orchestra. Weekly rehearsals on Thursday evenings.
- Serves as Conductor and Artistic Director of the all-volunteer, 13-voice Caritas Choir, which sings for the Sunday 9:30 AM Mass. Selects a variety of music, from classical to contemporary praise & worship. Music is selected carefully to match the skill level of the ensemble. This choir is accompanied by a small instrumental ensemble. Weekly rehearsals on Wednesday evenings.
- Plays organ for weddings and funerals, sometimes cantors for these liturgies.
- Builds repertoire and encourages participation of the parish community in singing at various liturgies.
- Recruits, auditions, trains, and supervises choir members, cantors, organists, and other liturgical musicians to ensure high quality musical performance.
- Maintains a sizable, 65 year old music library with the help of volunteers, and purchases new scores to augment the music library and expand repertoire selections.
- Acts with pastoral care and sensitivity as consultant for planning sacramental liturgies (weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc.), while upholding sound liturgical practices for these liturgies.
- Procures music for special instrumental ensembles, and composes arrangements for a variety of instrumental ensembles (strings, brass, winds, orchestra), depending on the needs of specific liturgical celebrations.
- Writes original music for the Mass (i.e. Responsorial Psalms).
- Performs in concert with some regularity, and has offered a number of organ recitals at St. Paul’s, including one sponsored by the American Guild of Organists (Los Angeles Chapter).
Ministry of Education
The Director of Music Ministry:
- Provides liturgical formation, music education, and practical preparation for liturgical celebration for cantors, choirs, and instrumental groups.
- Serves as a resource consultant for the parish regarding music, helping to educate staff, ministers of music, and congregation in developing their potentials to understand the role of music in worship and to celebrate liturgies of musical quality.
- Keeps abreast of current developments in liturgy and in music, and directs music ministers to available training workshops, and formational opportunities.
Concert Activity at St. Paul’s
The Director of Music:
- Coordinates the “Colburn at St. Paul’s” series begun in 2022, where students in the Conservatory division of the Colburn School perform six chamber music concerts at St. Paul’s each season.
- The UCLA Choral Music Department makes St. Paul’s their home, and they perform at St. Paul’s at least three times per year.
- Several additional institutions have presented concerts at St. Paul’s since December of 2021, including the USC Choral Music Department, the Angeles Chorale, Jouyssance, Violins of Hope, the American Guild of Organists (Los Angeles Chapter), Musica Angelica, Westminster Chorus, US Naval Glee Club, Les Petits Chanteurs de France, Exilio, and others.
Requirements
Skills and Pastoral Qualities
The Director of Music Ministry:
- Possesses the qualities common to all pastoral ministers and is a person of prayer, collaborative with fellow staff members and lay leadership, sensitive to the cultural experience of parishioners, and understands their spirituality and worship life.
- Is proficient in liturgical principles. the repertory of varied styles of sacred music—especially Roman Catholic musical styles and traditions—composed for congregational use, for choirs (adult and children), for cantors, for vocal soloists, for organ, and for instrumentalists.
- Is highly proficient in at least one musical discipline, such as voice or instrument. Fluency on a keyboard instrument such as the piano or organ is required.
Educational Requirements:
- Possess a Bachelor of Music degree. The equivalent of a Master’s degree in a relevant musical discipline, such as choral conducting, music and liturgy, piano, or organ, is preferred.
- Participation in such professional organizations as the American Guild of Organists, National Pastoral Musicians Conference, the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, the American Musicological Society, and or other such organizations and societies is very strongly encouraged.
To apply, send cover letter and resume via post or email to:
Fintan Hiney fhiney@sp-apostle.org
Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Community 10750 Ohio Avenue. Los Angeles, CA 90024
Deadline: May 23, 2024
Wage Range
The rate of pay offered to the selected candidate is based on internal pay policy and budget. New hires are commonly paid at the minimum of the wage range or within the lower part of the range. We consider a number of factors when making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training and other department needs.
Information/Application Contact
Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Community (Los Angeles)
10750 Ohio Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
gmartinez@sp-apostle.org