Director of Music Ministry and Principal Organist

Position Status: Full-Time Reports to: Rector Hours: 32 hrs/week Salary: $55-60K FLSA Exempt Start Date: ASAP Send cover letter, resume, and music samples to: Very Rev. Raymond Herard [REMOVED - SEE ORIGINAL LISTING] -A Vision for Sacred Music at the Basilica- The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel seeks not simply to maintain an existing music program but to cultivate a distinctive culture of sacred music that serves the Church's worship and contributes to the Basilica's mission for generations to come. The Director of Sacred Music will have the opportunity to develop that vision in collaboration with the Rector: strengthening congregational singing, forming excellent choirs and cantors, recovering the Church's treasury of sacred music, developing young musicians, expanding the use of the organ, and establishing the Basilica as a center for excellent Catholic sacred music in Northwest Florida. The successful candidate should therefore possess both respect for tradition and the creativity necessary to build for the future. As the Second Vatican Council teaches: "The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art." - Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 112 -Position Summary- The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel seeks a talented, experienced, mission-oriented Director of Sacred Music & Principal Organist to lead the Basilica's sacred music ministry. The Director of Sacred Music is responsible for cultivating a musical and liturgical program worthy of the Basilica's historic character and its role in the life of the Catholic Church in Northwest Florida. Working under the direction of the Rector, the Director provides musical leadership for the Basilica's celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and develops musicians, choirs, cantors, and repertoire in service to the worship of God and the sanctification of the faithful. This position requires more than musical proficiency. The successful candidate will understand sacred music as an integral part of the Church's liturgical life and will possess the leadership, organizational ability, pastoral sensitivity, and artistic vision necessary to develop an excellent and sustainable sacred music program.

• Liturgical and Musical Leadership-
• Serve as the principal musical leader for the Basilica's liturgical celebrations.
• Serve as Principal Organist for designated Sunday Masses (x2), solemnities, Holy Days of Obligation, and other major liturgical celebrations per Basilica requirements.
• Collaborate with the Rector in developing the overall vision and direction of sacred music at the Basilica.
• Plan and coordinate music for Sunday Masses and other liturgical celebrations in accordance with the liturgical calendar.
• Ensure that musical selections are consistent with the teachings, liturgical norms, and sacred music tradition of the Catholic Church.
• Develop a balanced repertoire drawing particularly from Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony, traditional hymnody, organ literature, and other worthy forms of sacred music.
• Encourage congregational singing as an important expression of full and active participation in the Sacred Liturgy.
• Prepare and perform appropriate organ literature, including preludes, postludes, offertories, and other instrumental music.
• Provide musical leadership for the Basilica's celebration of Christmas, Holy Week, the Sacred Paschal Triduum, Easter, patronal celebrations, and other significant solemnities.
• Foster collaboration among area music ministers as a welcoming host church and music program. Participate fully in local, Diocesan, and regional liturgies both at the Basilica and at neighboring churches.
• Choir and Ensemble Leadership-
• Recruit, develop, and retain choir members and other volunteer musicians.
• Develop additional ensembles or choirs when appropriate to the needs and resources of the Basilica.
• Select choral repertoire appropriate to the abilities of the ensembles while progressively developing their musical capabilities.
• Foster a culture of excellence, prayer, hospitality, accountability, and Christian service among members of the music ministry.
• Cantors and Liturgical Musicians-
• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise cantors.
• Provide ongoing formation in vocal technique, proclamation of the Psalms, liturgical practice, and the role of the cantor.
• Recruit and coordinate instrumentalists when appropriate.
• Establish appropriate musical and professional standards for paid and volunteer musicians.
• Develop qualified substitute musicians to ensure continuity when the Director is unavailable.
• Weddings, Funerals, and Special Liturgies-
• Coordinate and provide music for weddings and funerals in accordance with Basilica policies.
• Meet or communicate with couples and families as necessary regarding appropriate liturgical music.
• Ensure that music selected for weddings and funerals conforms to Catholic liturgical norms and the sacred character of the celebration.
• Coordinate musicians and cantors for these liturgies.
• Provide musical leadership for confirmations, First Holy Communions, OCIA celebrations, Eucharistic processions, parish missions, pilgrimages, diocesan celebrations, and other special liturgies as requested.
• Administration and Program Management-
• Develop and manage the annual sacred music budget in collaboration with the Rector.
• Maintain the Basilica's music library and ensure compliance with applicable music licensing and copyright requirements.
• Develop and maintain schedules for choirs, cantors, organists, instrumentalists, rehearsals, and special liturgies.
• Participate in staff meetings and liturgical planning meetings as required.
• Communicate schedules and expectations clearly with clergy, staff, and volunteers.
• Maintain appropriate records related to music ministry.
• Assist with the development of policies and procedures for the Basilica's sacred music program.
• Coordinate substitute musicians when necessary.
• Make recommendations to the Rector on the long-term care of the Basilica's Organ.
• Supervisory Responsibilities-

The Director of Sacred Music supervises and coordinates the work of paid and volunteer musicians associated with the Basilica's sacred music program, which may include:

• Assistant or substitute organists;
• Cantors;
• Choir members;
• Instrumentalists; and other musicians engaged for special liturgies or musical events.
• Qualifications Required-
• Demonstrated proficiency as an organist and keyboard musician.
• Demonstrated ability to direct and develop choirs.
• Strong knowledge of choral repertoire and liturgical accompaniment.
• Excellent sight-reading and accompanying skills.
• Knowledge of Catholic liturgy or demonstrated ability and commitment to acquiring substantial knowledge of Roman Catholic liturgical practice.
• Familiarity with Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony, traditional hymnody, and the broader Western sacred music tradition.
• Strong conducting, rehearsal, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with clergy, staff, volunteers, professional musicians, parishioners, wedding couples, grieving families, and people of varying levels of musical ability.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, Holy Days, and major liturgical celebrations as required by the position.
• Three to five years of professional experience directing a parish, cathedral, basilica, collegiate, or comparable sacred music program.

Equivalent combinations of education, professional experience, and demonstrated musical excellence will be considered. -Catholic Mission and Ecclesial Identity- The Director of Sacred Music occupies a position of significant responsibility within the liturgical life of the Basilica. The Director must therefore understand that sacred music is not principally performance but ministry ordered toward the worship of God and the sanctification of His people. The Director must respect and support the teachings, sacramental life, liturgical discipline, and mission of the Roman Catholic Church and carry out all responsibilities in a manner consistent with Catholic identity. A practicing Catholic with a mature understanding of the Church's liturgical and musical tradition is required. The Director should demonstrate an appreciation for the principles expressed in Sacrosanctum Concilium, Musicam Sacram, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, and other relevant ecclesial documents concerning sacred music and the Sacred Liturgy. -Compensation and Benefits- Salary will be commensurate with education, experience, professional qualifications, and demonstrated musical ability. As a full-time employee, the Director of Music Ministry is eligible for employee benefits according to the policies of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. A $500 stipend is provided for continuing education, and a $500 stipend for an annual retreat. Basilica policy will establish compensation arrangements for weddings, funerals, concerts, and other services outside the ordinary responsibilities of the position. Paid vacation includes 3 weekends annually (outside of Holy Week) and three weeks in July, not including the 3 weekends annually.

• Physical Requirements-
• Sit and stand for extended periods;
• Operate organ manuals, pedals, pistons, and other keyboard instruments;
• Conduct choirs and ensembles;
• Move throughout the Basilica, choir areas, offices, and rehearsal spaces.