Director of Liturgy and Music Job at The Archdiocese of Milwaukee in Milwaukee

• Plan and execute parish liturgical music program for Three Holy Women and Our Lady of Divine Providence parish.
• Plan hymns, psalm setting and service music with 6-week lead time.
• Communicate planning sheets as well as other information promptly with the freelance musicians that assist in two of the five regular weekend parish Masses.
• Check in and communicate liturgical music information with cantors and other ministers on a regular basis.
• Schedule liturgical ministers
  • Cantors (primarily volunteers)
  • Organists‑pianists (professional and occasionally volunteers)
  • Additional professional musicians hired for more significant and well‑attended liturgies (Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day).
• Maintain two parish choirs of volunteers and semi-professional singers (section leaders), one at each parish singing between September – May.
• Plan and distribute choral music used as anthems (post‑communion or offertory).
• Run weekly rehearsals (THW on Thursdays 6:30‑8:00 p.m., and OLDP on Tuesdays 6:30‑8:00 p.m.)
• Direct choirs at Masses they are scheduled:
  • OLDP choir sings every 1st 3rd (and 5th) Sunday of the month.
  • THW choir sings every 2nd 4th (and 5th week) of the month rotating between the three parish sites.
• Design and plan the distribution of orders of worship for every liturgy (currently printed and folded in house).
• Oversee and develop program for liturgical ministers (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar‑servers, hospitality).
  • Maintain current pool.
  • Recruit and form new members (in collaboration with priests and sacristan).
  • Oversee scheduling of ministers (led by volunteer scheduling coordinators).
• Oversee sacristy and sanctuary needs (in collaboration with the sacristan of each parish).
  • Order supplies such as hosts, candles etc. (shared with sacristan).
  • Oversee the condition of the sacristies and the sanctuary.
  • Oversee the condition of liturgical items such as vestments, altar linens and brass‑made items (thurible, candelabras etc.).
• Oversee seasonal environments (in collaboration with volunteer environment coordinators at each site).
• Planning of funeral liturgies for Three Holy Women and Our Lady of Divine Providence Parishes.
  • Serve as a key parish contact for the planning of music and the Liturgy of the Word in collaboration with the deceased’s family and the presider.
  • Serve as the principal organist/pianist or arrange a substitute.
  • Arrange a cantor (professional or semi‑professional) and other musicians as requested by the family.
  • Distribute music to all musicians involved.
  • Share other information with sacristan and presider.
• Planning of wedding liturgies for Three Holy Women and Our Lady of Divine Providence Parishes.
  • Serve as a key parish contact for the planning of the music and the Liturgy of the Word in collaboration with the couple to be married and the presider.
  • Serve as the principal organist/pianist or arrange a substitute.
  • Arrange a cantor (professional or semi‑professional) and other musicians as requested by the couple.
  • Design and share with the couple order of worship based on the planning decisions.
  • Distribute music to all musicians involved.
  • Share other information with sacristan and presider.
• Collaboration with the fellow Directors of Music and Liturgy serving in the “Family of Four Parishes” on special occasions such as:
  • Combined multi‑parish services such as Taize Prayer, All‑Souls Day Vespers, Reconciliation services, Triduum.
• Submit payroll on a timely basis for all outside professional musicians such as organists, cantors, section‑leaders, instrumentalists that are hired for liturgies.
• Oversee and prepare a yearly budget given for various area expenses such as professional services‑musicians, environment, sacristy supplies, volunteer recognition etc.
• Evaluate and approve invoices.
• Submit reimbursement forms for items purchased without the parish credit card.
• Oversee the maintenance of parish owned instruments (organs and pianos).
  • Maintain a routine service schedule with local organ and piano technicians (at least twice a year or as often the budget allows).
  • Continuously evaluate the condition of instruments and prepare proposals for more substantial service projects as needed.
• Attend monthly staff meetings and biweekly Directors’ Meetings.
• Pursue continuous professional development opportunities.
• Maintain good working relationships with professional musicians in the area.
• Other duties as assigned by Pastor.
• Physical, Visual, & Working Conditions: This is a full‑time position. It requires weekend and evening availability.

The Director of Music and Liturgy works primarily independently. They are supervised by the Pastor.

Supervision Exercised

• THW sacristan (parish employee)
• OLDP sacristan (parish employee)
• Liturgical ministry coordinators (one at each parish)
• Environment coordinators (one at each site)

Qualifications

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
  • Knowledge
    • Bachelor’s degree in music or bachelor’s degree on another field with graduate work in music or significant undergraduate coursework in music or sacred music.
    • Understanding and knowledge of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and other documents related to liturgical music.
    • Organ and piano skills for leading the congregation, as well as knowledge of solo and collaborative repertoire suitable for providing music as a prelude and postlude.
    • Choral conducting skills: knowledge of appropriate repertoire, the ability to teach and lead a group of volunteer and semi-professional singers, including the ability to direct from the bench.
    • Vocal coaching skills: the ability to form and utilize the abilities of volunteer and semi-professional cantors.
  • Skill
    • Musicianship skills (directing, organ, piano, and singing).
    • Computer skills (especially MS Word, Excel).
    • Strong written and verbal skills (maintain effective communication between fellow staff members, parishioners, volunteers, members of the greater community).
  • Abilities
    • Flexibility and collaboration, given that high number of different priests presiding at the weekend Masses (4-8 different priests).
    • Long-term vision for the planning and the development of the program.
    • Decision making and implementation.
    • Leadership and supervision.

Compensation

Type: Annual

Additional Information

Start Date: 2026‑01‑01

Location: Three Holy Women - Milwaukee (D27)

Department: County

Job Category: Parishes - Music/Liturgy

Employment Type: Full Time

To Apply

Email application, cover letter and resume to cgriesel@ffpmke.org

Archdiocese of Milwaukee
P.O. Box 070912
Milwaukee, WI 53207

Phone: 414-769-3300
Toll-Free: 800-769-9373
Fax: 414-769-3408

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