Job Summary

The Director of Music Ministry is responsible for elevating liturgical worship through music

under the oversight of the pastor in accordance with Church and diocesan norms. This position

plans appropriate music for Sunday liturgies, Holy Days, and occasional seasonal devotions. The

Director leads the parish choir at the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Mass and organizes the cantors for 5:00

p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday Masses. The Director also collaborates with the Director of

Contemporary Ensembles for special liturgies and supports the planning of weddings and

funerals. The Director reports to the Pastor.

Ministerial Character

The Pastor is the visible principle and foundation of unity in the parish of St. Austin Catholic Church which the Bishop has entrusted to him. He makes Christ’s mission present and enduring in the parish. In order to fulfill his mission, the Pastor employs suitable, chosen collaborators (clerics, religious, or lay people). He shares with them his mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them.

Positions employed at St. Austin Catholic Church help to extend the ministry of the Pastor in particular ways as outlined in the job description. Therefore, the employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the Pastor in the performance of his ministry and thereby engages in ministry for the Church.

Essential Duties 

• Act as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Support and adhere to the Code of Conduct and policies and procedures of the church and Diocese.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding church matters.
• Collaborate with the Liturgy Committee, pastoral staff, and clergy to develop a creative vision for the music ministry of St Austin parish.
• Develop annual plan and music ministry budget for approval and track expenses related to sacred music.
• Select weekly congregational hymns, sacred choral anthems, and liturgical music for Sunday Masses, Holy Days, and special liturgical celebrations, in collaboration with the Director of Contemporary Ensembles.
• Prepare, review, and print weekly Worship Aids for Sundays, Holy Days, funerals, and live-streamed liturgies. 
• Ensure compliance with all pertaining copyright laws and submit timely reports of usage via www.onelicense.net. 
• Lead recruitment of all musicians for parish liturgies in collaboration with the Director of Contemporary Ensembles. 
• Recruit and prepare choir members and cantors for the liturgical celebrations of the parish.
• Lead the choir in rehearsal one evening each week, preparing selected anthems and all other music relevant to upcoming liturgies. 
• Provide spiritual leadership for choir members and cantors. 
• Collaborate with the Organist/Pianist in rehearsals and liturgical services.
• Recruit volunteers, as needed, to organize music library for cantors and accompanists. 
• Oversee maintenance of musical equipment and instruments.
• Maintain up-to-date liturgy planning forms for weddings and funerals.
• Review music selections for wedding liturgies and schedule accompanists and cantors.
• Supervise and hire contract singers and instrumentalists, as needed.
• Collaborate with the school liturgy coordinator and the school music teacher for joint events.
• Plan occasional musical performances to showcase the St Austin’s mission and church to the broader community.
• Provide variety in programming through the occasional use of vocal solos and works with instruments in addition to the organ or piano.
• Attend diocesan Liturgy and Music Directors meetings, as appropriate.
• Ensure adherence to, and promotion of, parish and diocesan guidelines pertaining to the Ethics and Integrity in Ministry program.
• Participate in parish staff meetings.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent skills in choral conducting and experience as a choir director.
• Knowledge of vocal technique and performance.
• Broad knowledge of diverse sacred music choral repertoire.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to plan and execute short-term and long-term plans, and adapt to policy and personnel changes.
• Strong interpersonal communications skills with the ability to observe, question, listen, and give and accept feedback.
• Working knowledge of liturgical practices, especially of the Catholic Church, and an understanding of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Sing to the Lord, Music in Divine Worship, and other relevant church documents and sacramental rites, and the ability to coordinate music with those practices.
• Proficient in written and digital communication.
• The ability to collaborate and work well with others, prioritize tasks, and manage time efficiently.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in music.
• Experience: 
  • 3-5 years’ experience as a choral director preferred
• Certifications and Training:
  • Must submit an Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) Application for Ministry within the first week of employment, participate in an EIM Basic abuse prevention training workshop within 60 days of submitting a complete Application for Ministry, and maintain EIM compliance during the entire term of employment.

Working Conditions

• Expected to work 40 hours per week. Work hours are flexible to meet the needs of the position, including evening rehearsals and Holy Days.
• Required to work weekends: Saturdays as needed and Sunday 11:30 am mass required unless otherwise arranged.
• Required to manage moderate levels of stress.

Employee Certification 

All employees must adhere to the Catholic Parish and School Standards of Conduct, the Diocese of Austin EIM policies, and the social, ethical, and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church as interpreted by the Bishop of Austin.

Texas is an “at-will” employment state.  Letters of employment are not contracts, nor do they bind the employer or the employee to a predetermined time or guarantee of employment.

By my signature below, I verify that a copy of this document has been provided to me and I have had an opportunity to review it and discuss its contents. I understand this document does not create or imply any employment contract or agreement and is meant only to be a guide to me in my regular duties.  I understand that tasks or assignments may be added or removed from the job description by my supervisor at any time, without notice.