Director, Music

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 plays 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

Job Requirements

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 (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 musi