Director of Music Ministry

St. Nicholas Church

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports to: Pastor
Works in collaboration with St. Mary Church's Director of Music Ministry
Salary: Commensurate with experience

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St. John XXIII Parish in Evanston, IL, is searching for a new Director of Music Ministry for our St. Nicholas Church. St. John XXIII Parish is a diverse, dynamic, multi-ethnic community striving to be the Body of Christ in worship, celebration, and outreach. Active in issues of social justice, we treasure and nurture our liturgy as the source of and the nourishment for our actions in the world. At our parish, we carry with us a long tradition of assembly singing and participation in the liturgy, and we embrace two principal language groups: English and Spanish.

We seek a Director of Music Ministry to journey with us and to foster and support our liturgies, primarily by planning and providing music of diverse styles for weekend liturgies and sacramental celebrations; working with parish volunteer cantors, choir members, and instrumental musicians; and collaborating with the Pastor, the Director of Music Ministry at our St. Mary Church site, the parish staff, and the Liturgy Commission. Because we do not have an organ, we are looking for someone with strong piano skills.

Requirements include experience and formation in Catholic liturgy and music (bachelor’s or master’s in music, liturgy, or related area preferred); experience participating in a parish music ministry; experience in choral direction and leading congregational song; strong piano skills; weekend and Holy Day availability; and the ability and willingness to work in liturgies in both English and Spanish. Fluency in both English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

Send cover letter, resume, and at least two professional references to Art Roggow, Operations Director, at [email protected] and copy Fr. Jean-Philippe Lokpo, Pastor, at [email protected]. Or, apply through the form below.

About the Job

• Motivates full and active participation in parish music ministry and worship
• Responsible for planning, conducting, coordinating, and evaluating a vibrant bilingual/multicultural ministry
• With the Pastor, Director of Music Ministry at St. Mary, and Liturgy Commission, oversees the development and implementation of the parish’s liturgical life
• Provides liturgical music at scheduled Masses on weekends and Holy Days, at parish sacramental celebrations (First Communion, Confirmation, and First Reconciliation), and at occasional seasonal liturgies
• Coordinates and/or works with the English and Spanish adult choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists to ensure that all liturgies are scheduled, well planned, and vibrant; provides training and formation for music ministers and musicians
• Collaborates with the St. Mary Music Director and Liturgy Director in recruiting volunteers; strives to involve newcomers and a broad spectrum of parishioners
• Helps plan appropriate music for parish funerals and is available as a pianist/cantor as requested
• Provides music for parish weddings and quinceañeras as requested (fees for these services are determined by the Music Directors, Operations Director, and Pastor, and are extra compensation)
• With the St. Mary Music Director and Liturgy Director, serves as a liaison among the pastor, liturgical ministers, and the parish staff in organizing liturgies
• In collaboration with the parish administrative staff, plans, purchases, and/or prepares worship aids/song booklets for liturgies and celebrations; manages the parish music copyright and licensing programs
• Ensures that the music ministry and its ministers comply with the guidelines for Protecting God’s Children for those who minister with and to children in accordance with the Archdiocesan policies
• Attends and participates in regular staff meetings
  

This job involves seeing, hearing, comprehension, and speaking 50-100% of the time, and walking/standing, lifting up to 20 lbs, climbing/stooping/kneeling, and hand/finger dexterity 0-24% of the time. Employer will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees to perform the essential job functions.

About You

Job Requirements

• Previous experience participating in parish music ministry
• Experience leading congregational song, choral conducting, playing piano
• Willingness to work in liturgies in both English and Spanish
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with clergy, staff, parish leaders, and volunteers
• Understanding of Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values
• Knowledgeable and comfortable with Church music literature in many forms and styles for the congregation, choirs, vocalists, and instrumentalists
• Thorough understanding of the musical, liturgical, and pastoral judgements that must be made in selecting music for liturgy; ability to communicate and prioritize the role of music in liturgical worship
• Developed skills in leadership and management; strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Familiarity with sound equipment and other technology used for communicating and presenting
• Weekend, evening (for rehearsals), and Holy Day availability--flexible weekday schedule

Preferred Background/Skills

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree with a focus in music, liturgy, pastoral studies, or a related area
• Proficiency in Spanish and English (strongly preferred)
• Training and experience in choral direction
• Basic formation in Catholic liturgy and incorporation of music into worship
• Previous experience leading a parish music ministry and developing a parish music program through all liturgical seasons; ability to plan and evaluate liturgical celebrations in fidelity to Catholic liturgical theology
• Knowledge of and respect for Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Pastor, the Director of Music Ministry at St. Mary, the parish staff, and the Liturgy Commission
• Comprehensive vision and understanding of evangelization
• Ability to form and nurture a community of missionary disciples through encounter, accompaniment, and sending forth
• Mature discipleship evidenced in the ability to comfortably witness one’s own faith journey

We can't wait to meet you!

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