Position Summary
A traditional, historic, and dynamically growing Roman Catholic parish, blessed with a recently updated three-manual pipe organ, is seeking a highly skilled Organist/Choir Master to lead a reverent and vibrant sacred music program. The ideal candidate is a practicing Roman Catholic who will foster a music program firmly rooted in the Church’s sacred tradition, serving Novus Ordo Masses celebrated weekly in Latin, English, and Spanish. Of key importance, the organist-choir master will have in the forefront of his or her ministry that music, while exceptionally important, remains always in the service of the liturgy.
This full-time leadership role requires a confident and experienced organist, proficient in improvisation and choral direction, who can direct a partially paid adult choir and a school choir. The Organist/Choir Master will collaborate closely with the Pastor to elevate the liturgical life of the parish in harmony with the principles of Musicam Sacram.
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time (includes evening and weekend hours)
Salary Range: $70,000+ commensurate with education, experience, and ability. Additionally, there are approximately 10+ funerals and 30 weddings per year – each with proper remuneration. The parish also provides a 50% tuition discount for children enrolled in our parish school as well as contributions to a diocesan-managed 403B account and health insurance.
Reports To: Pastor
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the parish music program with excellence and fidelity to the Church’s liturgy.
- Grow and develop a Children’s Choir, nurturing a love of sacred music in the next generation.
- Incorporate Gregorian chant, polyphony, motets, and traditional hymnody into all liturgies, including the use of English and Gregorian Propers and the Ordinary as the primary musical settings of the Mass.
- Direct and accompany:
- Saturday Vigil, Sunday, Holy Day, and School Masses
- Funerals, weddings, and special liturgical celebrations, including periodically scheduled Solemn Vespers and Exposition and Benediction
- Collaborate with the Pastor to select music in accord with the liturgical calendar and sacred tradition, supporting thoughtful liturgical planning and implementation.
- Recruit, train, schedule, and mentor cantors, choir members, and instrumentalists.
- Lead regular rehearsals, prepare worship aids, and oversee the care and stewardship of parish music resources.
- Prepare worship aids for weekend, Holy Day, and School Masses.
Qualifications
- Practicing Roman Catholic, active in parish life, with a deep spiritual life and a strong love for the Church’s liturgy.
- Thorough understanding of the principles contained in Musicam Sacram.
- Demonstrated excellence in organ performance, including accompaniment, liturgical repertoire, and improvisation.
- Proven experience in choral direction within the context of the Mass and other liturgies of the Church.
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the desire and ability to work collaboratively as part of a cohesive parish team.
- Experience building, growing, and directing music programs in a parish setting.
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements
- Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, copiers, and telephones.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel).
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach above the shoulders as required in the performance of duties.
- Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds (e.g., music, equipment, materials).
To Apply or Learn More:
Miriam Santos, Director of Human Resources
msantos@charlestondiocese.org
(843) 261-0422
Please include a résumé, cover letter, and (if available) links to recordings or previous liturgical work.
