Music Director

Name: Music Ministry Coordinator
Location: Saint Louise de Marillac Church, Covina
Reports to: Pastor and Director of Administration for Budgeting and Finance
Employment Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Date: March 2025

Position Summary

The Director of Music Ministry (DMM) plays a key role in fostering parishioners’ love and devotion to their Catholic faith and identity through music. As a pastoral leader with specialized credentials in music and a deep understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy, the DMM is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive parish and school music program. This includes providing liturgical formation, music education, and preparation for cantors, choral groups, instrumentalists, and other music ministers to enrich liturgical celebrations. The DMM must hold regular rehearsals for the practice and training of all choirs for each liturgy.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a pastoral minister, guiding parishioners to a deeper understanding of liturgy and the role of music in worship.
• Participate in all parish staff and liturgy committee meetings
• Act as a liaison between music ministers and other liturgical teams.
• Continuing Music and Liturgical Formation:
  • Advance musical skills and knowledge through ongoing education and study of liturgical documents and publications.
  • Rehearse liturgical music and integrate it creatively with ritual prayer.
  • Provide liturgical formation and practical training for cantors, choral groups, and instrumentalists.
  • Stay updated on developments in liturgy and music and coordinate training opportunities for music ministers.
• Parish, School, and Faith Formation Liturgical Assembly:
  • Educate parish and school communities about the significance of music in liturgy and various musical styles.
  • Act as a resource for liturgical and musical education for parish and school groups.
• Music Leadership:
  • Collaborate with staff to plan music for Sunday, feast days, seasons, sacraments, and special liturgical events (e.g., penance services, liturgy of the hours, adoration).
  • Coordinate and lead music ministries for liturgical celebrations, including recruiting, scheduling, and rehearsing choir members, cantors, and instrumentalists.
  • Arrange for substitutes when needed (vacations, professional development, etc.)
• Liturgical Preparation:
  • Oversee the selection and planning of music for liturgical seasons and celebrations, including parish, children’s, wedding, and funeral liturgies.
  • Ensure compliance with copyright regulations for music use, including worship aids, practice tracks, and streaming licenses.
  • Must conduct regular musical rehearsals for all choirs in preparation for each Sunday and/or major liturgical feast day.
• Music Resources and Finances:
  • Develop and maintain the music department’s annual budget and prepare monthly expense reports.
  • Organize and curate the parish music library.
  • Manage maintenance and replacement of musical instruments and train sound system operators.
  • Develop fundraising strategies to support the music program’s operations.
  • Account reconciliation with the Finance Team before the end of each month.

Disclaimer

This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, obligations, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Requirements

Education, Training, and/or Experience

• A fully initiated Catholic in good standing, committed to ongoing formation through diocesan-approved courses.
• Professional training in music and liturgy is required; a bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent is minimally required, while a master’s degree is preferred. Alternatively, a Bachelor of Arts in choral directing or music with five years of experience in Catholic liturgical music is acceptable.
• Virtus certification and ADLA fingerprinting are mandatory.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of Church music literature across styles for congregations, choirs (adult, teen, and children), vocalists, and instrumentalists.
• Proficiency in piano, organ, choral direction, and vocal skills, including working with instrumentalists.
• Ability to develop vocal and choral skills in both volunteer and paid musicians.
• Strong leadership and motivational skills, coupled with excellent communication and organizational abilities.
• Possess a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Publisher or Adobe InDesign for worship aid creation and knowledge of church sound system functions.
• Familiarity with Slack for internal communications, Expensify for expense reporting, ParishStaq ChMs for scheduling, and publicizing events.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods, as well as climb stairs to access the choir loft.
• Capability to lift up to 30 pounds and perform physical movements such as bending, stooping, and reaching.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, working on a computer, or playing musical instruments.
• Irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, and travel to city and countywide locations as required.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• This role requires the DMM to be onsite and to keep regular office hours

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.

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