Catholic Music Director

Catholic Music Director

Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina
Job Type: Part-Time
Frequency: Weekly services and rehearsals plus scheduled special and seasonal services. 

Position Summary

The Catholic Music Director provides professional musical leadership and accompaniment for the Catholic worship community. This position is responsible for directing choir rehearsals, accompanying and leading music during worship services, coordinating music selections, and supporting special and seasonal liturgies.

The Music Director must be proficient in piano/keyboard, capable of directing a choir, and knowledgeable in Catholic liturgical music. The role requires the ability to provide smooth, accurate musical accompaniment that supports the sacred flow and structure of the Catholic Mass.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide musical direction and accompaniment for scheduled Catholic worship services, rehearsals, and special services.
• Lead a minimum of one choir rehearsal and one worship service each week.
• Direct, accompany, and musically lead the choir and cantors during rehearsals and liturgies.
• Lead worship songs and hymns for congregational singing.
• Play piano/keyboard and provide instrumental accompaniment as required.
• Accurately perform the core musical components of Catholic liturgy, including the Gloria, Responsorial Psalm, Sanctus, and Lamb of God.
• Select, sequence, arrange, and rehearse appropriate Catholic liturgical music.
• Adapt musical arrangements to match the abilities and composition of the choir.
• Coordinate music for special services and liturgical seasons, including Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, memorial services, funerals, and other special events.
• Conduct scheduled choir rehearsals lasting between one and three hours.
• Arrive at least 50 minutes before worship services to review the order of worship, conduct choir warm-ups, prepare musical equipment, and complete necessary sound checks.
• Encourage active participation in the choir and support the continued development of the Catholic music program.
• Coordinate musical selections, schedules, equipment needs, and program requirements with Catholic pastoral leadership.
• Provide recommendations regarding music programming, equipment needs, and musical selections for the liturgical year.
• Follow applicable copyright and music licensing requirements.
• Properly maintain, organize, and secure musical instruments and equipment after use.
• Ensure all areas used for music activities are left clean, organized, and secure.
• Maintain professional conduct, appearance, communication, punctuality, and reliability.
• Maintain consistent coverage of scheduled musical services and activities.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Music or a related field and/or five (5) or more years of experience in church music ministry, or equivalent academic credentials and experience in a church or chapel setting.
• Must skillfully play piano/keyboard, accurately performing written music with correct notes and appropriate tempo.
• Must be able to sight-read, arrange, improvise/improve upon, play, and score music applicable to the instrument being played.
• Must be capable of conducting, accompanying, and musically leading a choir during rehearsals and liturgies.
• Must possess the musical skill necessary to perform in a style appropriate for Catholic worship and liturgy.
• Must be able to fully and fluidly perform core Catholic liturgical components, including the Responsorial Psalm, Gloria, Sanctus, and Lamb of God.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and communicate effectively in English.
• Must be able to work professionally and respectfully within a diverse, multi-faith environment.
• Must provide references validating favorable previous experience in music ministry or music direction.
• Must successfully demonstrate required musical proficiency through a live or recorded audition, including standard Catholic Mass music and basic choir direction skills.
• Must meet applicable background screening requirements associated with programs involving individuals under 18.