St. Gabriel the Archangel Roman Catholic Church is seeking a Director of Music and Organist. The Director of Music and Organist oversees all aspects of liturgical music at the parish, in close collaboration with the Pastor. This includes planning, coordinating, and executing music for all liturgical celebrations. St. Gabriel is a vibrant, multi-generational parish of 1,500 families in a strong urban neighborhood with a long-standing tradition of excellence in liturgy and sacred music.
As a professional musician with a deep understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy, the Director supports the Church’s evangelizing mission by drawing hearts to Christ through the beauty of sacred music. The ideal candidate will be a joyful, prayerful leader of the parish’s liturgical life, honoring and building upon its strong musical tradition while encouraging broader participation through new and renewed music ministries. They will foster excellence in both traditional and contemporary sacred music.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary musician for Saturday and two Sunday Masses (10:00 a.m. with choir; 5:30 p.m. with cantor or volunteer musicians)
- Direct the adult choir and lead weekly evening rehearsals
- Prepare music for three weekly school Masses
- Provide music for all feast days, weddings, funerals, Confirmations, First Communions, graduations and other special liturgies
- Oversee and coordinate children’s choir(s), rehearse choirs and cantors during or after school and foster youth involvement
- Recruit, train, and schedule cantors and other musicians
- Support the musical growth of cantors and soloists
- Program music appropriate to the liturgical season and character of each Mass, balancing quality traditional and contemporary repertoire
- Coordinate instrumentalists for major solemnities (Christmas, Easter, etc.)
- Promote and foster congregational singing and parish-wide musical participation
- Meet with couples and families to plan music for weddings and funerals
- Maintain and manage the parish music library
- Prepare worship aids for Sunday and special liturgies
- Manage the annual music budget
- Maintain parish audio and streaming systems, ensuring optimal performance; serve as primary liaison with sound system and acoustical consultants
- Attend liturgy committee meetings
- Oversee the care and functionality of the pipe organ and pianos, coordinating service with technicians while possessing sufficient knowledge to manage basic troubleshooting and maintenance as required
- Maintain and develop personal musical skills and professional development
- Weekend and evening availability required
Qualifications
- Accomplished organist and pianist
- Skilled choir director of both trained and amateur singers
- Ability to accompany and conduct simultaneously
- Bachelor’s degree in Music, Sacred Music, or Liturgical Music (required)
- Master’s degree (preferred)
- Minimum three years’ experience as a Director of Music in a Catholic parish or similar setting
- Strong knowledge of Catholic liturgy and music across styles
- Must be a practicing Catholic who understands and supports the Church’s teachings on sacred music
Organ and Instrument Description
- 30-rank pipe organ (St. Louis Pipe Organ Co.), re-voiced in 2015 by Elkhart Fehl (Germany) with Wicks 3-manual console
- Steinway Grand Piano Model A III, 6’4″, fully refurbished
- Upright piano in the Director’s office
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary in accordance with Archdiocesan guidelines
- 2 weeks paid continuing education
- 2 to 4 weeks paid vacation (depending on experience)
- Benefits include health insurance, sick leave, retirement/pension plan, and book/music allowance
Please submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing your musical, liturgical, and educational background, relevant Catholic parish experience, and references to the above email address. Résumés will also be accepted. Additional materials may be requested.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
Start Date: Flexible, but no later than January 1, 2026