Director of Sacred Music & Liturgy

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Location: Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
Classification: Full-time, hourly non-exempt
Reports To: Pastor

About the Position

Our Lady of the Valley is seeking a faith-filled, musically gifted, and highly organized Director of Sacred Music & Liturgy to oversee the full scope of sacred music and liturgical life in the parish. Working with a Pastor formed in and committed to the Benedict XVI vision of the ‘hermeneutic of continuity’ in a markedly young, rapidly growing, tradition-ready parish, this newly created role ensures that all worship is reverent, beautiful, pastorally effective, and faithful to the Roman Catholic Church’s own liturgical patrimony.

This position oversees sacred music programming and the coordination of all liturgical ministries, liturgical planning, sacristan duties, scheduling, training, and supervision of liturgical staff and volunteers, including a budget for paid cantors and choral section leads. The Director collaborates closely with the Pastor, parish staff, musicians, and ministry leaders to elevate the adoration of God and the prayer and sacred worship of the community through excellent liturgy and sacred music.

Key Responsibilities

Sacred Music Responsibilities

Liturgical Music Planning

• Coordinate and oversee all music programming for weekend Masses, Solemn Sunday Vespers, Holy Day Masses, special occasion daily Masses, sacramental celebrations, weddings, funerals, and major parish liturgies.
• Assist the Pastor in planning solemnities, the Sacred Paschal Triduum, feast days, and liturgical seasons.
• Ensure musical selections and liturgical celebrations follow Roman Catholic norms.
• Prepare worship aids, music plans, and liturgical schedules.

Choir & Musician Leadership

• Form, direct, and accompany choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists.
• Recruit, train, and mentor volunteer and professional musicians of diverse musical backgrounds.
• Lead weekly rehearsals and prepare ensembles for liturgies.
• Maintain a repertoire that includes chant, hymnody, choral works, and approved contemporary sacred music.
• Provide musical leadership (organ or piano) at most parish liturgies: the parish church features both a pipe organ and grand piano.

Administrative Music Duties

• Manage the music ministry budget.
• Create and maintain the liturgical music calendar.
• Oversee maintenance of musical instruments, sound equipment, and choir resources.
• Maintain licensing compliance (e.g., One License).

Sacred Liturgy Responsibilities

Leadership & Oversight

• Oversee and coordinate all aspects of the Sacred Liturgy for the parish under the aegis of the Pastor.
• Supervise all liturgical employees and volunteers.
• Supervise leaders of any smaller musical ensembles.
• Approve liturgical music plans (subject to Pastor’s final decision).
• Ensure proper scheduling and staffing for all liturgies.
• Participate in regular parish staff and leadership meetings.
• Coordinate with Archdiocesan Liturgy personnel for local archdiocesan liturgies.

Supervision of Liturgical Ministries

• Train, supervise, and schedule liturgical volunteers and staff, including Altar servers, EMHCs, Sacristans, Lectors/readers, Ushers, Flower and decoration ministry.
• Train and advise in liturgical duties, votive candle replacement, sanctuary lamps, and Holy Water supply.
• Assist and advise the parish office regarding liturgical matters (wedding and funeral plans, security needs, and related questions).

Sacristan Responsibilities

• Prepare and arrange all items needed for all liturgies with the help of volunteer sacristans.
• Maintain inventory and purchase liturgical supplies (hosts, wine, candles, incense, linens, flowers, etc.).
• Collaborate with the volunteer cleaners to ensure clean, pressed linens, altar cloths, and antependia.
• Care for all sacred items: vessels, vestments, candles, incense, etc.
• Provide an annual liturgical budget to the Pastor.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage options
• Virtual care through MyCatholicDoctor.com
• Coverage for Chiropractic, Spiritual Care, Massage Therapy, Naturopathy
• Natural Family Planning benefit (up to $500 per year)
• Maternity Management Program
• Generous Paid Time Off: 22 days starting (accrued) plus paid holidays
• Retirement plan: 6% employer contribution plus employee deferrals
• Employer-paid life insurance and short- & long-term disability

Salary

Hourly, Non-Exempt: Annual range $55,000-$65,000

Per performance pay for weddings and funerals

Application Deadline

July 31, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

September 1, 2026

Qualifications

• Fully initiated Catholic, living the precepts of the Church (CCC 2041–2043).
• Strong commitment to Catholic liturgical teaching and tradition.
• BA or MA in Sacred Music, Liturgical Theology, Sacramental Theology, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Minimum of three years’ experience in parish or cathedral liturgy.
• High proficiency in pipe organ and/or piano; choral conducting experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Catholic liturgical documents, norms, and sacred music repertoire.
• Strong organizational, supervisory, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Must refrain from conduct or public positions contrary to Catholic doctrine or morals and avoid actions that could cause scandal with respect to the Archdiocese of Denver.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to teach chant, harmonization, and vocal technique.
• Experience with children’s or youth choirs.
• Competency with music notation software or digital liturgy planning tools.
• Multilingual singing ability (Latin, Spanish, etc.) is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Good vision, hearing, dexterity, and ability to move between sanctuary, sacristy, choir loft, etc.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, stoop, bend, and lift to 25 lbs.
• Ability to prepare and move liturgical and musical equipment as needed.