What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pastoral Musician position at Archdiocese of Detroit?
Job Summary
The Gesu Pastoral Musician is a salaried (with benefits), full-time staff position reporting to the Parish Life Director. Because music at Gesu has long emphasized prayerfulness and not just performance, the Pastoral Musician is expected to encourage full, active, and conscious participation of the faithful at parish liturgies. This includes planning and playing music, singing, providing musical support for celebrations, directing music and sound, and participating in ongoing liturgy preparation and evaluation. The Pastoral Musician will also be asked to contribute to a new emphasis on liturgies for the Pre-K–8 parish school. Gesu is a Jesuit, Catholic parish which seeks to be a place of hospitality and diversity. Historically, this diversity has been reflected in music that has included gospel, folk, classical, contemporary praise and worship as well as traditional Catholic hymns. Because of all that is required, the Pastoral Musician is also expected to nurture his/her own spirituality and prayer life.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Parish Life Director, Worship Commission and other musicians to continue the vision and mission of music ministry at Gesu.
- Lead and manage music by playing or scheduling musicians at weekend masses; also funerals, weddings, holy day liturgies, school liturgies, and other parish events.
- Direct and support choir(s) at Gesu by recruiting new members, inspiring and training those involved, and working with any additional musicians for special occasions.
- Managing the music library of print music.
- Acquiring additional music for the congregation and musicians as needed.
- Managing the instruments (grand piano, organ, drums, bells, etc.) and coordination of instrument maintenance.
- Managing the acquisition of new instruments as necessary.
- Manage the sound system by working with other parish staff members to monitor, maintain, and adjust the system.
- Collaborate in regular liturgical planning with the priests, Worship Commission, musicians and other parish members.
- Participate in regular meetings as well as planning meetings for funerals, weddings and other events.
- Collaborate in the development of liturgical plans for the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Holy Week.
- Support music development at Gesu Catholic School by working with the part-time music teacher, school administration and parish staff as it pertains to school liturgies, choir(s), and musicals.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Practicing Catholic, or displays awareness and appreciation of the role of music in the Roman Catholic liturgy.
- Ability to draw the worshipping community into participating in music.
- Ability to recruit parishioners and perhaps non-parishioners to participate in the choirs.
- Contribute and cooperate as part of the liturgical planning team.
- Lead music at the liturgy, preferably from the keyboard/organ, as well as a cantor or Psalmist
- Familiarity and experience with music including, but not limited to, traditional English and American chants and hymns, African-American gospel music, and contemporary Catholic music including praise and worship.
- Experience in directing choirs and leading worship.
Preferred Qualifications
B.A. in music or equivalent
To Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to James Hart, Director of Operations at hart.j@gesudetroit.org.
