Music Director - Our Lady Queen of the Americas - Washington DC

The Music Director is a professional who holds specialized credentials in music and who has a thorough understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy. This person of faith is responsible for the effective planning, coordination, and execution of music within the liturgical celebrations of the parish. He or she is gifted with a vision of how a local Church can develop its potential and works in collaboration with the pastor to bring that vision to fruition.

• →Collaborates with the Pastor, under his supervision, and with other members of the parish staff, integrating his or her own area of responsibility with the overall parish endeavor.
• →Directs the parish music program, selects and plans music in cooperation with the Pastor and parish staff for use in parish liturgies.
• →Provides leadership in areas related to liturgical music, e.g., selects and maintains musical instruments, coordinates services and schedules of parish musicians, and assures copyright permission.
• →Prepares and manages the budget for the parish music program in collaboration with the staff and the Pastor.
• →Collaborates with the staff members, e.g., DRE, Youth Minister to coordinate and ensure appropriate music for all parish sacramental celebrations, and provides them with consultation and needed assistance.
• →Coordinates music or musicians for all Sunday and other major celebrations, including weddings and funerals.
• →Builds repertoire and encourages participation of parish community in singing at various liturgies.
• →Acts as consultant to parishioners for planning sacramental liturgies, e.g., weddings, funerals and baptisms.
• →Invites, motivates, and trains all parish ministers of music (whether volunteer, stipended, or salaried).
• →Provides liturgical formation, music education, and practical preparation for liturgical celebration for cantors/leaders of song, choral, and instrumental groups.
• →Serves as a resource consultant for parish concerns regarding music, helping to educate staff, ministers of music, and congregation in developing their potentials to understand the role of music in worship and to celebrate liturgies of musical quality.
• →Keeps abreast of current developments in liturgy and in music, and directs music ministers to available training workshops, and formational opportunities.
• →Is visibly present at principal parish events, keeping attuned to the living faith and real concerns of parishioners.
• →Cooperates with the Pastor in recruiting needed musicians, and attempts to involve newcomers and a broad spectrum of parishioners.
• →Works to foster unity among all parish musicians, and to create a spirit of harmony with the presider and other liturgical ministers.

• Must be a practicing Catholic who supports the teachings of the Catholic Church.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Music or related field or an equivalent combination of education/experience required. 
• Is knowledgeable of and comfortable with Church music literature in all forms and styles for the congregation, choirs (adult, teen, and children), vocalists, and instrumentalists.
• Is proficient in Spanish, and fluent with a Spanish repertoire.
• Is proficient in liturgical principles.
• Has a thorough understanding of the musical, liturgical, and pastoral judgments which must be made in selecting music for liturgy.
• Is proficient in at least one performance area (e.g., keyboard, choral, voice)

• Dependable, responsible, self-motivated and creative.