Director of Music and Liturgy 

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a Franciscan parish of 3,500 multi-cultural and multi-generational families is seeking a full-time Director of Music and Liturgy. The ideal candidate is a professional who is deeply rooted in a personal understanding and appreciation of the Roman Catholic faith and its musical and liturgical tradition and is well-versed in a variety of musical genres. The Director will be responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of music within our many parish liturgies and celebrations.  The Director will report directly to the Pastor.

The primary responsibilities of the Director include: 

• Collaborating with the Pastor and the Parish Staff for liturgies and other communal celebrations. 
  
• Selecting music for all liturgies (English, Spanish, and bilingual for Sundays, Holy Days, bilingual masses, and special liturgies [e.g., annual Memorial Mass, Mañanitas, Virgen de Guadalupe]). 
  
• Coordinating and/or directing the choirs, accompanists, and ensemble musicians at 7 weekend Masses (in both English and Spanish). 
  
• Serving as accompanist at any liturgy when volunteers are not available. 
  
• Scheduling cantors for all Masses. 
  

• Coordinating additional or replacement musicians and singers as needed. 
  
• Conducting separate weekly rehearsals in English and in Spanish from early September through early June, with extra rehearsals as needed for Advent / Christmas and Lent / Easter. 
  
• Working with the Directors of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry to plan music and provide accompanist, cantors, and choirs for all sacramental celebrations related to these ministries (e.g. First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation). 
  
• Working with engaged couples to plan and coordinate music and musicians for weddings. (Stipend in addition to salary.) 
  
• Planning and coordinating music and musicians for funerals. (Stipend in addition to salary.) 
  

• Planning and coordinating music and musicians for Quinceanera masses. (Stipend in addition to salary.) 
  
• Training and scheduling sound technicians for all Masses as well as maintaining the sound system. 
  
• Cataloging, maintaining, and developing music resources and repertoire including a shared repertoire of bilingual music for bilingual liturgies. 
  
• Securing appropriate copyright licensing for worship aids and live-streaming. 
  
• Scheduling regular maintenance of the church pianos and organ. 
  

• Planning yearly Music Ministry budget. 
  
• Attending parish staff meetings and scheduling regular office hours. 
  
• Scheduling English-speaking lectors, Eucharistic Ministers (EMs), and altar servers for all English liturgies. Coordinating with volunteer coordinators for each ministry. Training for lectors and EMs. 
  
• Ordering annual books pertinent to liturgical year or liturgical ministries (e.g. lector handbooks). 
  
• Ordering liturgical supplies as needed (e.g. bread, wine, candles, ashes, palms, paschal candle). 
  

• Preparing Presider books for special liturgies (e.g., Triduum) and coordinating activities for special liturgies (e.g., preparing ashes for Ash Wednesday, volunteers for Paschal fire, preparing lector books with readings for the Passion narrative on Palm Sunday and Good Friday). 
  
• Coordinating the liturgical environment of the parish. 
  

 
The minimum requirements for the position of Director of Music and Liturgy are: 

• Extensive experience with Roman Catholic liturgy 
  

• A Bachelor of Arts degree in music, theology, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience. 
  
• Proficient (moderate) in English and Spanish or a willingness to work toward moderate proficiency in both languages. 
  
• A minimum of 3 years' experience in Catholic parish music ministry. 
  
• Demonstrated proficiency as an organist and/or pianist. 
  
• Demonstrated competency directing volunteer choirs and musicians. 
  

• Ability to work effectively with all levels of employees and volunteers. 
  
• Completion of a diocesan background check and ministerial training. 
  

 
Salary/Benefits: 

• Salary commensurate with education and experience 
  

• Full Diocese Benefits Package. 
  
• Additional compensation for weddings, funerals, and Quinceanera Masses. 
  
• Budgeted funds for continuing education and professional development. 
  

 
Submit: 

• Cover letter 
  

• Résumé 
  
• Three (3) references (1 personal and 2 professional) to Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, O.F.M. at orzechowskij@icdurham.org  ​