Click here for the enitre Job Description: SMV Directory of Music and Liturgy
Resume & References should be sent to Fr. Ignatius Anaele, ianaele@archchicago.org, by October 30, 2021

Description 
St. Mary of Vernon is seeking a Director of Music and Liturgy to become a member of the Pastoral Staff and who will assist the Pastor with the overall efforts to ensure parishioners encounter Jesus Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and worship. The scope of this role is to discern, plan, prepare and implement ongoing liturgy, prayer, worship and music opportunities for everyone in the parish.  As we enter the post-pandemic point in time, vibrant music will play an important role in attracting people to return to Mass and the Sacraments.  

Under the direction of the Pastor, the Director of Music and Liturgy provides leadership in the planning, execution and celebration of all parish liturgical celebrations, including sacramental celebrations. The Director is responsible for ensuring that the Worship space is a place of welcome and witness for all parishioners and guests. 

The Director should utilize an appropriate balance of traditional and contemporary musical styles while supporting the full, active and conscious participation of the assembly in divine worship. As a member of the Pastoral Staff, the Director is expected to take an active pastoral role in the parish, including developing a good working relationship with the ministries and organizations of the parish. The Director must demonstrate strong leadership skills necessary to identify, develop and retain strong teams of volunteers for all liturgical ministries.

Requirements
The Director must demonstrate strong keyboard skills on piano and synthesizer and vocal musical talent. Directing and Cantor skills are necessary. The candidate should be a practicing Catholic who is knowledgeable with Church music in a variety of forms and the liturgical norms of the Catholic Church.  They must demonstrate the ability to collaborate with clergy, staff, parish leaders and volunteers and be familiar with the technology used for communicating and presenting music.   Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.  Must be flexible with work schedule, especially for Holy Days and special parish events.     

https://www.facebook.com/St-Mary-of-Vernon-Music-Ministry-224300885093/

The adult choir sings 5-part arrangements - basses, tenors, altos sopranos, and descant sopranos. We are accompanied by guitar and piano. We encourage those age 19 or older who want to share their gift of music with the parish to join our adult choir.

We sing as small groups for each of the weekend Masses.  You can pick the Mass at which you want to sing. For Christmas and Easter we sing as a full choir for Midnight Mass, Holy Week, and the Easter Vigil Mass.  Perhaps you have wanted a chance to sing with choir, but cannot commit to singing year-round. This is your opportunity to give it a try!

Rehearsals are Wednesdays 7:30—8:45 PM, though the end time varies as we enter busy liturgical seasons.  We are always in need of additional singers, especially at this time tenors and basses.

Are you a teen, 8th grade through high school senior? Singers in all voices are welcome. Guys, whether your voice has changed or not, we have a spot for you! If you sing at chorus in school, or in a show choir, why not share all you have learned by singing here at church? 

Instrumentalists who play in band or orchestra at school, no matter what your instrument, you can also be a part of what we do here at church. we have drummers, keyboardists, flutists, clarinetists, string players of all kinds, trumpeters and horn players of every shape and size. No matter how you make music, there is a place for you here.  You have the chance to be part of a smaller ensemble where you might have a chance to really show the talent God gave you! We rehearse during the school year on Sunday afternoons from 2 pm to 3 pm. There is a definite schedule, but you can come in and out of the choir as your own activities require.

Teen Choir Registration is ongoing and open!

It’s time for me to once again ask the community for help! We need a new infusion of children, and especially willing parents to help launch our new Youth Choir Year! This is the training ground for the Church’s future singers and players! Take a survey of the adult musicians in any parish, and you will find the vast majority began as part of a Youth Choir. At St. Mary of Vernon, our Youth Choir includes singers from 3rd grade through 7th grade. Boys and girls are welcome.
We have two to three sessions of choir per year, plus a Christmas Choir that is made up by combining the Youth Choir and Teen Choir. The fall session runs September—November. (Christmas Choir sessions, which are on the Teen Choir schedule of Sunday afternoons, run during December). The Winter Session of Youth Choir is from January through April, culminating with Easter Mass.

Youth Choir registration is ongoing and open!
We rehearse on Wednesday early evenings, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the church.

Parent volunteers are needed to assist with Choir rehearsals and during choir liturgies. All volunteers at SMV are required to have a background check on file and attend VIRTUS training.