Position Description
The Director of Sacred Music (Director) invites the faithful to write their stories deep within the
context of the greatest story, God's desire to find and save His people. To do this awesome work,
the Director must first incarnate the core values of St. Peter personally, and apply them to a
faithful, beautiful, compelling, and personal celebration of the Church's liturgy. The Director
holds as sacred the power of the Paschal Mystery and the unifying and sanctifying graces uniquely
present in the sacraments and liturgy. The Director personally ministers to St. Peter musicians by
inviting them to, and forming them in, a Catholic Sacred Music Tradition that seeks to open
dimensions of reality of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness to all who encounter it.
The Director upholds the teachings of the Catholic Church both in word and by manner of life.
Professional music training and experience in leading Church liturgy and music is required. The
Director must desire and be able to celebrate the Liturgy according to the norms of the Church
as established in Tra le Sollecitudini (1903), Sacrosanctum Concillium (1963), and Musicam
Sacram (1967), Sing to the Lord (USCCB, 2007), and The General Instruction of the Roman Missal
2010).
St. Peter Parish desires its music to draw out the sacred texts of the liturgy, with pride of place
given to the distinctive elements of the Catholic Tradition : namely chant, organ, choir, and
congregational voices. The Director must be a strong collaborator, trustworthy, and able to
articulate in a compelling way the mission of St. Peter Parish.
Qualifications :
- College degree in Catholic Theology, Liturgy, Music, or closely related field with equivalent
- experience in sacred music.
- Working knowledge and understanding of Sacrosanctum Concillium as well as the
- more recent documents of Liturgy and Liturgical Music from the Holy See and the
- USCCB.
- 3-5 years parish liturgical experience preferred.
- Successfully complete standard Diocesan background check and Virtus Training.
Leadership and Vision :
Serves on the Divine Worship and Spiritual Development Committee.Sets a strong course for Sacred Music with the Parish Pastor, with advisory assistancefrom the Divine Worship and Spiritual Development Committee.Articulates the vision to the congregation, musicians, and outside benefactors andfriends of the Parish.Helps establish / lead an Organ Restoration / Rebuild project to remedy ageing deficiencies in the ParishOrgan.Liturgical Music
Administers a multi-faceted music program including planning, budgeting, scheduling,and communicating in a timely fashion with volunteer and professional musicians ofthe parish.Provides and oversees music and musicians for all Sunday Masses, Holy Days ofObligation, and other major celebrations including Vespers, First Eucharist, ParishPenance Services, etc.Supplies simple music for the 12 : 03pm Mass on all days categorized as "Feast" orSolemnity".Serves as Principal Organist and Director of Choirs and Choral Activities.Assists the Pastor in his Office of Liturgy for the Parish by selecting hymns, ordinaries,and propers as necessary to be submitted to the Pastor for approval.Promotes opportunities and recruits those gifted musical persons needed for St. Peterto have a beautiful and compelling Liturgy.Develops specific choirs, ensembles, and cantors for weekend liturgies. Plansand conducts rehearsals for all groups.Composes and arranges music as necessary for Sacred Liturgies.Maintains choir library and liturgical / musical resources as needed.Researches, develops, and establishes a children's choir.Upon request, collaborates with the School Music Teacher regarding school liturgiesand music. Serves as a resource to the school music teacher upon request.Prepares worship aids, as necessary, for parish liturgies (including Triduum and otherlarge Liturgies).Collaborates with Pastor and other members of the Parish staff, integrating his / her own area of responsibility with the overall parish mission.Assists family members with sacramental liturgical needs (i.e. Funerals and Weddings)Serves as an active member of the parish staff and attends all staff meetings.Seminars, Events, Collaboration, and Teaching :
Starts a small group study / seminar to run during the program year on matters ofSacred Music and Liturgy.Composes a column for the bulletin on all matters of Sacred Music and Liturgy, tobe included after approval by the Pastor.Provides concerts (or organizes other musicians for the same) and continues theVesper Recital series at St. Peter that assists in advancing the mission of St. Peterand the Sacred Music program with the downtown Jefferson City Community.Continues the Sunday Vespers program to take place during Advent, Lent, andon Pentecost.Increases collaboration with Helias Catholic High School, St. Joseph Cathedral, andother parishes in the area as appropriate for Liturgies, music camps and seminars, etc.Other duties as assigned by Pastor.Extras :
Funerals and Weddings for Additional Compensation as requested by the family and as available.Employment Benefits :
Salary Commensurate with Experience.Raise considered annually.Competitive Diocesan Benefit package includes Health, Dental, Vision, Vacation, andMatching 403b retirement plan.Reports to : Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki, V.G., Pastor
Classification : Employee (Exempt)
Department : Sacred Liturgy and Music
Office : St. Peter Rectory, Main Floor
Physical Demands : Standard Office
Reasonable work and travel expenses reimbursed.
Interested parties should send a cover letter, CV, and three references to :
Beverly McCracken (Business Manager)
bmccracken@saintpeterjc.org
