Music Director, Church Organist, And Pianist

Job Description

Position Summary
The Music Director Church Organist and Pianist provides prayerful and accomplished musical leadership for the parish's principal liturgies. Advanced proficiency on a church organ and strong proficiency on piano or fortepiano are central requirements of this position. Working under the direction of the Pastor, the Music Director plans appropriate sacred music, accompanies and supports cantors and other musicians, prepares for assigned celebrations, and fosters active participation by the assembly. This part-time position is centered on weekend worship, Holy Days, major seasons, rehearsals, and other liturgies assigned by the Pastor.

Essential Responsibilities
Music for Liturgies
• Serve as the principal church organist and pianist or fortepianist for assigned weekend Masses, Holy Days of Obligation, and major parish celebrations.
• Provide music for funerals, weddings, sacramental celebrations, devotions, and other services as assigned; any separate compensation will follow parish policy.
• Select sacred music appropriate to the liturgical season, the celebration, the abilities of participating musicians, and the norms of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Provide appropriate prelude and postlude music and accompany congregational singing, cantors, choirs, and instrumentalists.
• Prepare and rehearse sufficiently so assigned liturgies begin on time and are carried out with competence and reverence.

Cantors and Musicians
• Recruit, schedule, rehearse, and support cantors and other musicians as needed.
• Communicate music selections, keys, rehearsal times, and special instructions in a timely manner.
• Coordinate qualified substitute musicians for approved absences, subject to the Pastor's approval.
• Encourage high musical standards, pastoral sensitivity, and a collaborative spirit among all musicians.

Planning and Administration
• Collaborate with the Pastor on music for weekend, seasonal, sacramental, and special liturgies.
• Provide music selections and other music-related information needed for the weekly Mass Binder and parish worship materials by established deadlines.
• Maintain orderly music files and the parish music library and observe applicable copyright and licensing requirements.
• Advise the parish regarding the tuning, maintenance, and repair of the organ, pianos, and related music equipment.
• Attend occasional planning or staff meetings when requested and reasonably related to the position.
Attendance and Church Readiness
• Arrive at least twenty minutes before every assigned liturgy to prepare instruments and music, coordinate with the celebrant and ministers, and address reasonable last-minute needs.
• Open or close the church only when specifically assigned and follow all parish safety, access, and security procedures.
• Remain after liturgies as reasonably necessary to secure music materials and equipment and complete assigned responsibilities.
• Give prompt notice of an anticipated absence and follow parish procedures for approval and substitute coverage.
Qualifications
• Advanced proficiency on a church organ, including hymn playing, registration, pedal technique, service playing, and accompaniment of congregational singing.
• Strong proficiency on piano or fortepiano, including solo playing and accompaniment of cantors, choirs, and instrumentalists.
• Knowledge of Roman Catholic liturgy, the liturgical year, and appropriate sacred music; experience accompanying cantors, choirs, and instrumentalists is required, and experience directing singers is preferred.
• Degree or formal training in organ, piano, fortepiano, sacred music, or a related field is preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Strong reliability, preparation, communication, judgment, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work respectfully with clergy, staff, volunteers, parishioners, families, and funeral directors.
• A practicing Roman Catholic in good standing is preferred. All candidates must support the mission and teachings of the Catholic Church while carrying out parish duties.
• Candidates must be prepared to demonstrate their abilities on the parish church organ and on piano or fortepiano as part of the interview and audition process.
Work Schedule
The position requires a flexible part-time schedule based on the parish liturgical calendar. Regular responsibilities include assigned weekend Masses and rehearsals, with additional availability for Holy Days, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, funerals, weddings, sacramental celebrations, and parish devotions. The Pastor will establish the regular schedule and expected weekly hours with the selected candidate.
Compensation and Leave
• Compensation, expected weekly hours, and any separate fees for weddings, funerals, or special services will be stated in the employment offer and administered in accordance with parish and diocesan policy.
• Time away must be requested in advance and approved by the Pastor. Vacation or planned absences ordinarily may not conflict with Holy Week, the Easter Triduum, Christmas, or other major parish celebrations unless expressly approved.
• The employee will assist in securing a qualified substitute for approved absences. Responsibility for substitute compensation will follow the employment offer and parish policy.
Performance Expectations
• Provide prepared, competent, and prayerful musical leadership for every assigned liturgy.
• Demonstrate punctuality, reliability, professional conduct, and respectful collaboration.
• Select music that supports the liturgy and encourages active congregational participation.
• Communicate schedules and music plans accurately and on time.
• Care responsibly for parish instruments, music, and other resources.
• Respond with reasonable flexibility to changing pastoral and liturgical needs.

General Provisions
This job description describes the general duties, responsibilities, and expectations of the position and is not an exhaustive list. The Pastor may modify, assign, or reassign duties as reasonably necessary to meet the pastoral, liturgical, operational, and administrative needs of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, consistent with the part-time nature of the position. The employee is expected to perform assigned duties with cooperation, flexibility, professionalism, and service to the mission of the Catholic Church.

About the Employer

Enlivened by the Spirit and under the
nurturing care of the Mother of Jesus,
we are a Eucharistic community
of the people of God.
We gather together in Christ,
to worship God with thanks and praise
through education, compassion, and forgiveness.
We seek to respond to God's love for us.
We lovingly share what we are and what we have
with all people on our journey together,
strengthening our Christian way of life.