Position Description
POSITION TITLE: Director of Sacred Music
REPORTS TO: Pastor (for content) and Director of Ministry (for organizational matters)
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
CLASSIFICATION: full-time, salaried
BROAD STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Holland, MI, is seeking a full-time Director of Sacred Music (DOSM). OLL is a large, growing Catholic parish on the West Coast of Michigan. We are looking for a skilled organist and choral conductor who embraces the rich musical tradition of the Catholic Church, including Gregorian chant, traditional Catholic hymns, and liturgical music in both English and Latin. In particular, the DOSM is responsible for selecting and planning liturgical music; organizing, training, and recruiting cantors; and directing the adult choirs, children's choirs, and handbells. The DOSM provides music for all weekend liturgies, sacramental celebrations, Holy Days, funerals, and weddings, and collaborates with Corpus Christi Catholic School for school Masses. The DOSM supervises all parish musicians and hires additional musicians from the area when necessary for solemnities or weddings. The DOSM teaches occasional courses in the Lakeshore Academy for the New Evangelization.
SPECIFIC DUTIES: Administrative Leadership
Plans and manages a comprehensive musical program for the parish
Recruits, schedules, rehearses, and supervises cantors and musicians for all liturgies
Oversees maintenance of the organ and pianos
Manages the departmental budget and choral library
Provides encouragement, evaluation, and appreciation of musicians and cantors
Communicates and collaborates effectively with the Pastor, the Music Ministry, other parish departments, and within the parish generally
Attends department head meetings and general staff meetings
Creates weekly worship aid
Other responsibilities as needed
Musical Leadership
Provides organ accompaniment to choirs or cantors for all three weekend liturgies, as well as Holy Days of Obligation and additional Solemnities
Directs Adult Choir, Funeral Choir, Christmas Children's Choir, and Handbell Choir.
Directs the School Choir at Corpus Christi Catholic School and plans and accompanies music for the weekly School Mass
Recruits, prepares, and leads the various choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists
Plays for funerals and weddings (coordinates with families, couples, singers, and instrumentalists, etc.) All these services are additional income.
Maintains the level of knowledge and skills required to remain current and successful in the field of sacred music. Reads material related to the profession, attends workshops or conventions, and participates in local, regional, and diocesan professional organizations, as approved and as appropriate
Notifies parish musicians of workshops, conferences, etc., which relate to their ministry
Implements more regular use of sung propers (in English and Latin) within the liturgy
Provides ongoing education and catechesis to the parish on sacred music to foster a culture of appreciation of the depth and beauty of our singing (articles in the bulletin, LANE classes, etc.)
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervises all paid and volunteer musicians
QUALIFICATIONS:
Active member of the Roman Catholic Church in good standing, with a deep personal prayer life
Knowledge of and experienced in Roman Catholic liturgy, sacred music, and Gregorian chant
Working knowledge of Latin and understanding of the Second Vatican Council's and the U.S. Bishops' guidance on its use in the liturgy
Bachelor's Degree in Organ Performance or Choral Conducting. Master's Degree is preferable.
Skilled organist and choral conductor
Strong singing ability
Enthusiasm and ability to work effectively with others (parish staff, ministry members, and parishioners)
Highly organized, self-managing, project-oriented, detail-oriented, team player
INSTRUMENTS: 15-rank Pels & Van Leeuwen Organ, Opus 934 - installed June 2025.
Blüthner Grand Piano
Additional pianos in Chapel and Choir Room
