The Church of the Little Flower
Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Job Title: Director of Music Ministries Job Type: Regular full-time
FLSA: Exempt hours per week
Reports To: Directly to the Pastor, Rev. Andrew M. Prachar frandy@lfbhnj.org
1. The goals for the Director of Music Ministry will be:
- to develop a prayerful, singing assembly through celebration, preparation, and
evaluation and through education and personal ministry;
- with the cooperation and assistance of all the parish ministers, the DMM will support
the gospel message and the parish mission through song and challenge the assembly
to live it more fully.
2. The goals for the Program of the Music Ministry will be:
a. to build and sustain full, conscious and active participation by way of congregational song at the 5:30 PM Saturday liturgy and 9:30 and 11:30 and 7 PM (September thru June) Sunday liturgies;
b. to help to increase regular attendance at these liturgies through the quality of music;
c. to develop a children’s choir for the 9:30 AM liturgy;
d. to develop a young people's choir/instrumental group for the 7:00 PM liturgy.
3. Duties and Responsibilities
-The Director of Music Ministry will be responsible for all music associated with
worship;
-Ordinarily, the DMM will be responsible for performing four liturgies as
accompanist (keyboard), or choir director per Sunday or major feast.
-In addition, the DMM will be responsible for coordinating and staffing all other liturgies
with competent musicians.
-The DMM will contact professionals for the tuning of instruments used for liturgy.
-The DMM will work in recruiting, training and sustaining choir members as well as
cantors.
-The DMM will find suitable and acceptable coverage in the event of absence/
vacation/sickness.
-The DMM will be responsible for participating in planning the liturgies with the Parish
Liturgy Committee and will be primarily responsible for the music selection of all
regular and special celebrations (listed below).
-Working with the Music/Liturgy Action team of the Strategic Planning process in the
implementation of the goals
The regular liturgical celebrations include:
a. Eucharistic celebrations on 52 Sundays (4 per Sunday, September thru June),
Easter Vigil, Holy Thursday, Good Friday; the holy days of obligation, the parish
secular feasts, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and All Souls Day.
b. Communal sacramental celebrations of Confirmation; Baptism; Reconciliation;
Anointing of the Sick.
c. Weddings; funerals.
d. And other special celebrations e.g. Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
4. The Director of Music Ministry shall be responsible for the following:
a. Special liturgical celebrations, e.g. Masses for special needs (couples desiring
children);
b. Starting a children’s choir (9:30 AM) and a young people’s choir and instrumental
group (7 PM Mass)
c. Participating in the revised parish budget process by submitting a timely budget
through committee;
d. Designing, planning, coordinating, and promoting concerts;
e. Selecting aids that enhance the participation of the assembly.
5. The Director of Music Ministry will be responsible to attend the following meetings:
-The parish staff meeting (bi-weekly);
-The liturgical committee meeting;
-And the preparation team of the parish liturgy committee.
-Any cluster/deanery gatherings of parish ministers
6. The Director of Music Ministry is responsible for participating in the parish budget process by:
a. preparing a music budget;
b. submitting the budget to the Business Manager;
c. participating in the budget revision process.
7. The Director of Music Ministry shall obtain continuing formation in musical-liturgical education, particularly in the area of preparation/planning, choral direction.
This is achieved by participation in the NPM national and regional gatherings. Fees and expenses to participate will be paid for by the parish.
In addition, the DMM will participate in liturgical education as provided by the parish for staff members.
In addition, the DMM will be allowed one weekend off for a three-day retreat. Funds for this education are contained in the line items as specified in the budget.
8. The performance of the DMM shall be evaluated by the pastor. This material will serve as the basis for any annual raise.
Qualifications:
- Practicing and faith-filled Roman Catholic
- Satisfactory criminal background check
- Possess an understanding of and willingness to support, implement and evaluate
all programs based on the Mission Statement of the parish
- Bachelor's degree, preferably a Master's Degree in Music with emphasis on
choral directing/keyboard
- Excellent leadership, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
- Familiarity with all Church documents on Liturgy and Music as well as the
new Roman missal
Experience: Three years in a parish is desirable
Time Off: 5 weekends off (not in Advent, Christmas, Lent or Easter without the
Pastor's permission)
