Position Title: Director of Music and Organist  

 

St. Gabriel the Archangel Roman Catholic Church 

Address:  Music Director Search Committee 

6303 Nottingham Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109 

Contact:  musicapplications@stgabrielstl.org 

Daytime Phone: 314-353-6303 

Website:  https://www.stgabrielstl.org 

 

Position Information

• Postition Title: Director of Music and Organist
• Reports To: Pastor

 

Position Summary

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 deep understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy, the Director supports the Church’s evangelizing mission by drawing hearts to Christ through the beauty of sacred music. The ideal candidate will be a joyful, prayerful leader of the parish’s liturgical life, honoring and building upon its strong musical tradition while encouraging broader participation through new and renewed music ministries. They will foster excellence in both traditional and contemporary sacred music. 

 

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 with a full-time music teacher and a full-time band director. The parish also presents an annual summer musical theater production. Additional details include:

• 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 daily Masses (including three 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 

• Steinway Grand Piano Model A III, 6'4", fully refurbished in the gallery 

• Experienced cantors and instrumentalists 

 

Responsibilities

• 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 music 

 

Ensembles & Weekly Responsibilities

• Direct and rehearse: Adult Choir, Children’s Choir(s), Cantors 

• Play for: All weekend Masses, 3 weekday school Masses, weddings, funerals, and special liturgies 

• Work with trained and volunteer musicians from the parish 

 

Organ and Instrument Description

• 30-rank pipe organ (St. Louis Pipe Organ Co.), re-voiced in 2015 by Elkhart Fehl (Germany) 

• Wicks 3-manual console 

• Steinway Grand Piano Model A III, 6'4", fully refurbished 

• Upright piano in the Director’s office 

 

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary in accordance with Archdiocesan guidelines 

• 2 weeks paid continuing education 

• 2 to 4 weeks paid vacation (depending on experience) 

• Benefits include health insurance, sick leave, retirement/pension plan, and book/music allowance 

 

Timeline

Position Posted: August 1, 2025 

Application Deadline: September 30, 2025 

Start Date: Flexible, but no later than January 1, 2026 

 

Application Information

Please submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing your musical, liturgical, and educational background, relevant Catholic parish experience, and references to the above email address. Résumés will also be accepted. Additional materials may be requested. 

 

EEO/AA Statement:

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is committed to providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, or any other status protected by law. However, as a religious organization, we reserve the right to hire individuals whose beliefs and conduct align with our religious mission and values.