Director of Sacred Music

Job Description

Director of Sacred Music (full time) at Christ the Redeemer

The primary purpose of this position is to provide, organize, and/or coordinate sacred music for all weekend and Holy Day Masses and other special liturgies at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. This position reports directly to the pastor and collaborates with a part-time coordinator of Spanish Music. The Music Ministry of the parish has as its main goal "the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful." The Director of Sacred Music achieves this goal guiding, developing, implementing, supporting, and evaluating music programming toward this end, all done in collaboration with the pastor.

Regular Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan music selections and lead music from the piano/organ for some liturgies every week.
N.B. There are accompanists to help with some of the 2 Saturday evening Masses and 5 Sunday Masses (4 English and 3 Spanish) at Christ the Redeemer.
• Prepare, rehearse, and lead music at Holy Day Masses, funerals, bilingual masses, and other special liturgies/services.
• Rehearse Choir, children's choir, and cantors (various masses)
• Supervises the scheduling of cantors, choirs, and accompanists.
• Prepares the joint Spanish and English choirs for bilingual liturgies.
• Continues the development of the bilingual children's choir and the teen cantor ministry.
• Hire and rehearse professional instrumentalists for major holidays.
• Assist with planning of music selections for weddings and funerals.
• Oversee ongoing development of singers and accompanists and recruit new musicians.
• Prepare music department annual budget.

Skills, Experience, and Knowledge Requirements

• Must be a fully-initiated and practicing Catholic, able to participate in the full sacramental life of the Church
• Excellent keyboard skills - piano and/or organ
• Five years of experience in liturgical church music
• Bachelor's degree in music or related field and/or its equivalent in experience
• Knowledge of church liturgical music guidelines
• Excellent communication skills
• Knowledge of vocal, choral technique, and choral conducting
• Familiarity working with Spanish-speaking music ensembles
• Bilingual in Spanish and English strongly preferred; some familiarity of Spanish is needed.

About the Employer

Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Sterling, VA is large multicultural parish in the Diocese of Arlington. Our goal is to help all people to know Christ, to love Christ, to serve Christ and to be with Christ forever in heaven. Jesus, present in the most Blessed Sacrament of the altar is the source and summit of our Faith. we strive eagerly to Love God with all our heart, mind and soul and to love our neighbor as Christ has loved us.