Church of the Holy Spirit is hiring: Director of Music and Organist in St. Louis

St. Gabriel the Archangel Roman Catholic Church

Address: Music Director Search Committee

6303 Nottingham Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109

Contact: musicapplications@stgabrielstl.org

Daytime Phone: 314-353-6303

Website: https://www.stgabrielstl.org

Position Information

Position Title: Director of Music and Organist

Reports to: Pastor

Position Summary

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.

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. The Director will foster excellence in both traditional and contemporary sacred music.

Parish Overview

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. The parish has many active lay ministries and a K–8 school of nearly 500 students with a full time music teacher and a full time band director. The parish also presents an annual summer musical theater production. Additional parish details include:

• Four weekend Masses (three with music):
  Saturday 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 6:30 a.m. (no music), 10:00 a.m. (Adult
• Choir and cantor), and 5:30 p.m.
• Two daily Masses (including three weekly school Masses with music)
• Approximately 20 weddings and 30 funerals annually
• Dedicated music suite with offices in the choir gallery
• Extensive choral library
• 3-manual, 30-rank pipe organ
• Steinway Grand Piano in the gallery
• Experienced cantors and instrumentalists

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 or higher (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

Ensembles & Weekly Responsibilities

• Direct and rehearse Adult Choir, Children’s Choir(s), Cantors
• Play for all weekend Masses, 3 weekday school Masses, weddings, funerals, and special liturgies
• Work with trained and volunteer musicians from the parish

Organ and Instruments Description

• 30-rank pipe organ (St. Louis Pipe Organ Co.), re-voiced in 2015 by Elkhart Fehl (Germany)
• 3-manual Wicks console
• Steinway Grand Piano Model A III, 6’4″, fully refurbished
  Upright piano in the Director’s office

Compensation and Benefits

• Minimum salary of $65,000 per year; final offer will be based on the candidate’s education and experience
• 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

Timeline

Position Posted: August 1, 2025

Application Deadline: September 30, 2025

Start Date: Flexible, but no later than January 1, 2026

Application Information

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.

EEO/AA Statement

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is committed to providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, or any other status protected by law. However, as a religious organization, we reserve the right to hire individuals whose beliefs and conduct align with our religious mission and values.