Archdiocese of St. Louis
Job Summary
St. Gabriel the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Hills neighborhood) is seeking a full‑time Director of Music and Organist. Our vibrant, multi‑generational parish of 1,500 households celebrates four weekend Masses (three with music). The Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and leading music for all liturgical celebrations. We aim to build on our strong tradition of sacred music and increase parish engagement in music ministry.
The ideal candidate will be proficient in both organ and piano, an accomplished choral conductor, deeply familiar with Roman Catholic liturgy, and have at least three years of experience serving as a Director of Music in a Catholic parish. This ministry a vital role in proclaiming the Gospel and deepening the faith through sacred music. A bachelor’s degree in Music, Sacred Music, or Liturgical Music is required, a master’s degree preferred.
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.
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 weekday Masses and 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
Experienced cantors and instrumentalists
Job Responsibilities 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 strong understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy, the Director helps advance the evangelizing mission of the Church by drawing hearts to Christ through the beauty and richness of sacred music. The ideal candidate will be a joyful, prayerful witness as a leader of the liturgical life of the parish, and honor and strengthen the parish’s long musical tradition while also inviting broader engagement through new and renewed music ministries for the greater glory of God.
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 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 (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
Equal Opportunity Employer The Archdiocese of St. Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, parental, veteran or disability status.
Pre-Employment Screening All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre‑employment screening. The screening will include criminal background check, Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, employment and educational licensure/certification verification, health screening, and any other screenings deemed necessary for employment. Any offer would be contingent upon successful completion of any required screening.
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The ideal candidate will be proficient in both organ and piano, an accomplished choral conductor, deeply familiar with Roman Catholic liturgy, and have at least three years of experience serving as a Director of Music in a Catholic parish. This ministry a vital role in proclaiming the Gospel and deepening the faith through sacred music. A bachelor’s degree in Music, Sacred Music, or Liturgical Music is required, a master’s degree preferred.
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.
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 weekday Masses and 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
Experienced cantors and instrumentalists
Job Responsibilities 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 strong understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy, the Director helps advance the evangelizing mission of the Church by drawing hearts to Christ through the beauty and richness of sacred music. The ideal candidate will be a joyful, prayerful witness as a leader of the liturgical life of the parish, and honor and strengthen the parish’s long musical tradition while also inviting broader engagement through new and renewed music ministries for the greater glory of God.
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 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 (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
Equal Opportunity Employer The Archdiocese of St. Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, parental, veteran or disability status.
Pre-Employment Screening All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre‑employment screening. The screening will include criminal background check, Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, employment and educational licensure/certification verification, health screening, and any other screenings deemed necessary for employment. Any offer would be contingent upon successful completion of any required screening.
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