Director of Sacred Music

Job Description

St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church 5222 Sideburn Road
Fairfax, Virginia.

St. Mary of Sorrows, a large, Catholic parish in Fairfax, Virginia, seeks a Director of Music. This person would be a full-time member of the staff responsible for overseeing all music ministry at the parish.

Responsibilities:
• Overseeing the music done at all 5 weekend Masses, all important Feast Days, Holy Days of Obligation, Sacraments et al. It is expected that the music director plays at least three of these masses.
• Directing and accompanying the 22 member Church Choir, who sings at the 9.30am mass on Sundays.
• Directing a chant schola who occasionally sing at the 7.30am mass.
• Directing and/or accompanying the Children's Choir who meet weekly to rehearse and sing once per month at 11.30am mass.
• Overseeing the youth choir, who already have a director and accompanist, at the Sunday 5pm mass.
• Organizing and providing music for all funerals. Funerals are compensated separately. On average, there is about 60 per year. The music director will have the right of first refusal for all funerals.
• Meeting with couples to plan music for weddings. Weddings are compensated separately. On average, there is about 20 per year. The music director will have the right of first refusal for all weddings.
• Selecting, training, and accompanying all cantors for Sunday Mass.
• Producing mass booklets for important liturgies throughout the year.
• Submitting bi-weekly payroll.
• Presenting a program of Lessons and Carols near Christmastime or suitable alternative.
• Hiring orchestral instrumentalists for Christmas Midnight Masses and Easter Sunday.
• Upkeep of the Music budget, making necessary purchases.
• Upkeep and purchase of the equipment, including hymnals, books, St. Mary's choral music library, and musical instruments; also, maintenance and tuning of piano.
• Online reprint and podcasting license reporting.
• Attend a weekly meeting with the clergy and Director of Liturgy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements/preferences:
• A practicing Catholic in good standing.
• A love of the liturgy and music of the church as laid out by the Second Vatican Council, respecting the patrimony of the Church's musical tradition.
• Interpersonal and leadership skills are required.
• Organ and Conducing proficiency essential.
• Thorough knowledge of Gregorian chant.
• Voice and Piano skills preferred.
• At least a bachelor's degree or satisfactory equivalent in music or another related field.

Other details:
• Full-time (40hr/wk)
• Flexible hours
• Start date: End of May/Early June 2024.
• Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Health benefits (medical, vision, dental, HSA) though Diocese of Arlington.

To apply, please send
• Resume with two references
• Cover Letter
to seant@stmaryofsorrows.org

Closing date for applications: Sunday, April 14th, 2024.

About the Employer

A Catholic Parish in Northern Virginia.