Assistant to the Director of Liturgical Music

Position Title: Assistant to the Director of Liturgical Music

St. Marianne Cope Parish, located in Henrietta, NY is seeking a highly skilled, part-time Assistant to the Director of Liturgical Music.

• This position reports to the Director of Liturgical Music
• The position is designed for a versatile musician capable of supporting the parish’s music program by providing essential musical, vocal, and administrative assistance across multiple ensembles, including the Children, Youth, Adult, and Festival choirs.
• Working closely under the guidance of the Director, the successful candidate must be fully prepared to step in as a guest conductor and substitute director for weekly rehearsals and weekend Masses as needed.
• This part-time role requires approximately 8–12 hours per week.

Key Responsibilities:

• Choral Direction & Liturgical Support
• Rehearsal & Mass Substitution
• Conduct rehearsals and lead music for weekend Masses and special seasonal liturgies when the Director is away or traveling.
•  Weekly Rehearsals: Assist with or lead weekly rehearsals on Wednesdays (Youth Choir: 5:306:30 PM; Adult Choir: 7:00–9:00 PM).
•  Mass Schedule Coverage: Attend and assist at scheduled choir Masses, which alternate between Saturday at 4:30 PM and Sunday at 10:30 AM (with arrival times set for one hour prior to Mass). This includes supporting the Children and Youth Choir Mass on the third Sunday of each month.
•  Section Leader & Cantor: Serve as a vocal section leader for your voice part and function as a parish cantor during liturgies when required. Administration & Music Management • Liturgical Planning Support: Assist with scheduling, booking musicians, and organizing liturgical music selection files based on the Catholic liturgical season.
• Music Preparation: Learn and assist with choral arranging, transposition, and score preparation tailored to the needs of the parish ensembles.
• Logistics & Equipment: Oversee the setup, organization, and maintenance of instruments, hymnals, and sound equipment before rehearsals and liturgies.
• Community Engagement: Assist with marketing, bulletin announcements, and promotional efforts to increase choir membership and parish engagement. Position Requirements
• Education: Bachelor of Music (B.M.) or a related degree in music performance, music education, or sacred music (completed or in progress).
• Musical Skills: Strong foundational knowledge of music theory, excellent aural/sight-reading skills, and the ability to play at least one musical instrument (keyboard or piano proficiency is highly preferred).
• Liturgical Awareness: A deep appreciation for sacred music and Roman Catholic liturgical traditions, with a strong enthusiasm to learn parish music ministry workflows.
• Interpersonal Skills: Comfort working with diverse age groups, ranging from children and youth to adult volunteer musicians.

Availability: Direct willingness to work a flexible schedule, specifically Wednesday evenings and weekend Mass times, including major Holy Days (Christmas, Triduum, Easter).

Compensation & Compliance • Hourly Wage: $19.00 – $21.00 per hour, depending on experience.

Hours: Part-time, approximately 8–12 hours per week.

Compliance Requirement: Must successfully complete a diocesan background check and fulfill Safe Environment training prior to the start date due to direct interaction with minors.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please submit materials to Deacon Peter Dohr, Pastoral Administrator, via email:

Applicants must submit:

• A current Resume detailing your musical education, choral experience, or church music background.
• A brief Cover Letter introducing yourself and your interest in parish music ministry.
• Two Letters of Recommendation (or the contact information for two professional musical/ personal references).
• Optional: Links to video or audio recordings demonstrating your vocal/cantor abilities or choral conducting.