Director of Music Ministry

St. Albert the Great Parish, North Royalton Ohio

"This is an opportunity for a gifted Catholic musician and pastoral leader to shape and lead a substantial parish music ministry and to contribute meaningfully to the spiritual life of a vibrant evangelical Eucharistic Catholic community."

Fr. Ed Estok, Pastor

Position Summary

The Director of Music Ministry provides pastoral and musical leadership for the parish's worship and music ministries, collaborating closely with the pastor, pastoral staff, Assistant Music Director, school leadership, volunteers, and Liturgical Commission.

Our parish vision, *Called to More 2030*, identifies weekend worship as a primary opportunity for parishioners, visitors, and seekers to encounter Jesus Christ. The Director helps make that encounter possible through excellent, prayerful, and faithful sacred music — overseeing musical preparation for weekend Masses, school liturgies, seasonal celebrations, funerals, weddings, and other major parish celebrations.

The parish music ministry assists at weekend Masses, Friday school Mass (during the school year), and currently includes an Assistant Music Director, a Eucharistic Choir with paid section leaders and accompanist, an eight-voice Schola, a 14-member Bell Choir, a Children's Choir, and additional paid weekend cantors.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Music Ministry

* Plan, direct, and oversee music for weekend Masses, Holy Day Masses, and other major parish liturgies, in collaboration with the pastor, staff, and Liturgical Commission.

* Supervise and collaborate with the Assistant Music Director and accompanist; lead rehearsals and establish effective rehearsal schedules.

* Secure additional instrumentalists and musicians when appropriate, and maintain sound quality in the worship space.

* Coordinate musical leadership for approximately 80 funerals and 5–10 weddings annually, working with families, clergy, funeral coordinators, and couples to select music that conforms to Catholic liturgical norms and parish policy, planning for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, the Sacred Triduum, Easter, solemnities, and major parish celebrations.

* Direct and develop the Eucharistic Choir, Schola, Bell Choir, and Children's Choir, fostering participation and musical growth across ensembles.

* Provide music leadership for the weekly school Mass and other special school liturgies, collaborating with school faculty and staff.

* Recruit, train, mentor, and schedule paid and volunteer cantors, section leaders, and other music ministers.

Liturgy & Formation

* Serve as a member of the Liturgical Commission, contributing to the planning of parish liturgies.

* Provide musical, liturgical, and spiritual formation for musicians, cantors, and choir members, fostering a culture of prayer, service, fraternity, excellence, and stewardship.

* Offer opportunities for spiritual enrichment among music ministers.

* Assist with music planning for special occasions, including First Communion, Confirmation, weddings, and funerals, in collaboration with clergy and staff.

* Promote the full, conscious, and active participation of the assembly in the liturgy.

Leadership & Collaboration

* Serve as a member of the pastoral staff, contributing to the broader pastoral life of the parish.

* Ensure liturgical and musical practices align with the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and diocesan guidelines.

* Communicate effectively with clergy, staff, musicians, volunteers, families, and parishioners; serve as liaison to ensure smooth liturgical celebrations.

* Develop and manage the annual music ministry budget; monitor expenditures and recommend purchases of music, instruments, and equipment.

* Maintain music resources, records, schedules, and ministry information; coordinate the music calendar with the parish liturgical calendar and establish seasonal and annual planning timelines.

Qualifications

Required

* Deep knowledge of Catholic liturgy, the Roman Rite, and Eucharistic theology, and a strong understanding of the theology and purpose of sacred music.

* Demonstrated experience directing a Catholic parish music program or comparable liturgical ministry.

* Advanced musical ability, with strong conducting, rehearsal, and ensemble leadership skills.

* Ability to serve effectively as a cantor and/or liturgical musician.

* Experience working with choirs, cantors, instrumentalists, and volunteers.

* Strong organizational, administrative, interpersonal, and communication skills, including scheduling, budgeting, and volunteer coordination.

* Compliance with diocesan ministerial requirements, including Virtus training and a public lifestyle consistent with ministry in the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Cleveland.

* Ability to work evenings, weekends, Holy Days, and other parish events as required, with increased workload during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and periods with numerous funerals and weddings.

Preferred

* Bachelor's or master's degree in music, sacred music, liturgy, music education, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).

* Formal study or certification in Catholic liturgy or sacred music.

* Proficiency in organ, piano, or another appropriate accompanying instrument, and choral direction.

* Familiarity with Catholic hymnody, chant, polyphony, contemporary sacred music, and the broader Catholic sacred music tradition.

Personal Qualities

* Genuine love for the Catholic Church, the Eucharist, and the Church's liturgical life.

* Understands music ministry as pastoral ministry, not simply musical performance, and leads the assembly toward deeper participation in the liturgy.

* Prayerful, pastoral, and collaborative spirit, with humility, professionalism, dependability, and emotional maturity.

* Balances musical excellence, liturgical integrity, pastoral sensitivity, and practical parish realities.

* Passionate about evangelization through beauty, music, and liturgy.

* Comfortable working with clergy, staff, volunteers, children, families, and parishioners of diverse musical backgrounds.

Additional Remuneration to Salary

* Stipend for musical services at funeral liturgies (approximately 80 annually).

* Stipend for musical services at wedding liturgies (approximately 5–10 annually).

Salary Range

$60,000 — $70,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

St. Albert the Great

6667 Wallings Rd.

North Royalton, OH  44133

Contact:  Maureen Holodnak

[email protected]     440-237-6760