Position Title: Director of Sacred Music (Part-Time)
Location: St. Martha’s, Ashland City, Tennessee
Reports to: Pastor
Compensation: $30 per hour
Additional Stipends:

• Funerals: $200 per liturgy
• Weddings: $300 per liturgy

Position Summary

St. Martha’s, a Roman Catholic parish in Ashland City, TN, is seeking a part-time Director of Sacred Music to lead and enrich the musical life of the parish in accordance with the sacred liturgy. The Director will be responsible for playing organ, leading the music and singing for all Masses, directing choirs, teaching Gregorian chant, and coordinating all liturgical music for both the Novus Ordo and the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). This role includes music for Holy Days of Obligation, weddings, funerals, and an annual Christmas concert, 9 Lessons & Carols. The ideal candidate is a practicing Catholic with a deep love for sacred music, a strong foundation in chant and polyphony, and a desire to support the Church’s mission through reverent and beautiful liturgy.

Key Responsibilities

• Liturgical Music Leadership
  • Provide organ accompaniment and lead singing at two Sunday Masses: 9 AM (Novus Ordo) and 11:30 AM (TLM).
  • Provide music for Holy Days of Obligation, select feast days, weddings, funerals, and other special liturgies.
  • Select music appropriate to the liturgical calendar, in accordance with Roman Missal and TLM rubrics.
• Choral Direction
  • Direct and rehearse both the Cecilia Schola and Children’s Choir, with weekly rehearsals every Wednesday(rehearsal day/time flexible).
  • Teach and rehearse sacred music repertoire including traditional hymns, Gregorian chant, and sacred polyphony.
  • Prepare choirs for all liturgies and the annual Christmas concert / 9 Lessons & Carols.
  • Recruit and instruct choir members in both musical and liturgical understanding.
• Gregorian Chant
  • Lead and teach chant for both choirs and congregation using both standard and neumatic notation and traditional chant techniques.
  • Integrate chant into both Novus Ordo and TLM liturgies regularly and effectively.
• Liturgical Planning
  • Collaborate with the pastor to coordinate music across the liturgical year.
  • Plan recessional hymns, Mass settings and additional repertoire for all Masses each Sunday and send a monthly plan to the pastor.
  • Maintain deep familiarity with the liturgical calendar, propers, ordinaries, chant cycles, and sacred polyphony.
• Administrative Duties
  • Maintain the parish music library and manage rehearsal materials.
  • Coordinate with cantors, choir members, parents and pastor as needed to ensure excellence in liturgical preparation.

Qualifications

• Practicing Catholic in good standing, with strong reverence for the Sacred Liturgy and Church teaching.
• Proficient in organ performance, choral direction, and vocal leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in organ proficiency, singing and conducting Gregorian chant.
• Familiarity with both the Novus Ordo and the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form).
• Knowledge and practical use of the Liber Usualis, including chant notation, propers, and liturgical rubrics.
• Ability to teach and conduct traditional hymns, chant, and sacred polyphony.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of solfège and sight-singing techniques is appreciated and considered a plus.
• Experience planning and directing solemn liturgies and concerts preferred.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can contact Father Benjamin Butler at 615-541-5061 or fr.butler@stmarthas.org.