Director of Sacred Music

Job Description

Overview:

St. Mary of Sorrows parish is seeking an experienced choir director and organist to assume the role of Director of Sacred Music (DSM). This is a full-time position with benefits through the Arlington Diocese. Duties include direction and coordination of the adult choir, children's choir, and cantors, as well as the hiring of organists and instrumentalists for certain holy days and Masses. The organ is a four manual Rodgers Infinity with lighted
draw knobs.

There are five sung Masses per weekend, four of which the DSM is expected to be the primary organist/ director. The parish recently switched to the Source and Summit Missal and digital platform, and is beginning to incorporate more traditional music such as chant
and sacred polyphony, while still utilizing quality hymnody. Heavy emphasis is placed on growing the sacred music program and educating members and congregants. The DSM reports directly to the pastor, who is very supportive of sacred music.

Responsibilities:

- Maintain the highest standard for liturgical music for all Masses
- Grow and develop the sacred music program, emphasizing fidelity to Church teaching,
tradition, and documents
- Train choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists, particularly in the areas of chant and sacred
polyphony
- Educate the parish in sacred music
- Serve as primary organist and director for weekends, obligatory days, and other Masses
through the year
- Meet with the pastor on a regular basis to coordinate various aspects of liturgies
- Follow Church and civic law regarding copyrights etc.
- Maintain music library with assistance from a choir volunteer
- Create leaflets for funerals and certain liturgies

Qualifications and Experience:

- Faithful Catholic in good standing with the Church whose public and private life is
consistent with Church teaching
- Masters degree in sacred music, theology, liturgy, or similar preferred, Bachelors degree
required; participation in CMAA events or AGO certifications considered as well
- Must posses deep knowledge of the Church's patrimony of sacred music
- Five (5) or more years of experience working in a church music program

Application Process:

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume with three references, and any relevant recordings to Fr. Vander Woude at frvanderwoude@stmaryofsorrows.org. First round interviews will be conducted via video call, and top candidates will be invited to the church for an in-person audition. The position is available on January 1, 2026.

About the Employer

St. Mary of Sorrows is a caring Catholic community dedicated to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We listen to the Word of God; Draw our life from the Liturgy; Promote the sanctity of Life; Proclaim the good news of the Gospel; Serve others in a Spirit of Truth; Nourish through Education; Commit ourselves to proclaiming and promoting Social Justice.