Employment Opportunities for Musicians

Last updated: June 13, 2025

Duchess County

PARISH OF SAINT MARY (FISHKILL)

The Parish of Saint Mary, Mother of the Church, located in Fishkill, New York is seeking a Music Minister/Organist to provide and oversee the liturgical music program for the parish.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan, prepare, direct, and ensure music is provided for Masses and other liturgies and events. (The organ must be used at all liturgies with music, unless decided otherwise with the pastor.)
A. Sunday Masses (Sat. 5:30pm Vigil, 8am, 11:15am, 12:45pm)
B. Holy Days of Obligation
C. Holy Week Liturgies
D. Stations of the Cross during Lent
E. School Masses, including Graduation
F. Thanksgiving Day
G. First Holy Communion, Confirmation
H. Weddings, Funerals, Memorial Masses, Quinceañeras
I. Christmas Concert
J. Others
Report to the Pastor and implement Pastor’s music directives.
Develop youth choir, adult choir, musical ensembles.Solicit accomplished cantors, organists, other musicians.
Manage music finances, records, maintenance of instruments.

REQUIREMENTS

Exceptional ability to sing and conduct.
Knowledge of Catholic Liturgy, including use of Latin Mass parts and traditional, sacred liturgical music, English and Latin chant.
Commitment to the spiritual mission of the parish.
Interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

COMPENSATION

Salary range: $40,000-$50,000
Two weeks paid vacation.
Weddings, Funerals/Memorial Masses, Quinceañeras compensated separately.

APPLICATION

Please, submit the following:

Curriculum Vitae with cover letter
Sample recordings (website links accepted), if available
Sample programs, proposed list of hymns, other written work, if available
A list of three references (priest, professional musician, employer, etc.)

Via Mail:

St. Mary, Mother of the Church
PO Box 780
Fishkill, NY 12524
ATTN: FR. BANCROFT

Via email: [email protected], SUBJECT HEADING: PARISH MUSIC DIRECTOR-ORGANIST

Orange County

PARISH OF SAINT STEPHEN (WARWICK)

St. Stephen the First Martyr, a vibrant parish in Orange County, is seeking a full-time, dynamic Director of Music to maintain and develop a program of Sacred Music that will support and enable parishioners to encounter more deeply the sacred mysteries of the Liturgy. The applicant must possess competent organ skills, strong choral skills, ability to sing, and organizational skills that will assist in the direction of four parish choirs (Adult, Folk, Children, and Hand chimes). The Music Director is responsible for planning and directing music for all liturgical functions of the parish, including Holy Days and special feasts. Weddings and funerals are for an additional stipend.

Candidates must be self-motivated, adaptable to changes in routine, able to care for the parish instruments [2-manual digital Allen organ (late 1980s) & baby grand piano] and music library, have excellent written and oral communication skills, have competent knowledge using Word Processors, and OneLicense reporting, music notation programs, ability to create and edit seasonal worship aids, and demonstrates ability to coordinate and work in choral settings with adults and children. The applicant should also possess knowledge of Roman Catholic liturgy and traditions, work well in collaboration with the pastor and staff, and be a Catholic in good standing.

Job requirements:

— Provide music for 3 weekend Masses (5:00pm, 9:00am, 11:00am), all feast day liturgies and Holy Days of Obligation, and special sacramental services (Confirmation, First Holy Communion, First
Penance)

—Rehearse 9:00am Adult Choir regularly on a weeknight and before Sunday Mass

—Rehearse 11:00am Folk Group before Sunday Mass

—Coordinate, Rehearse, and develop our Youth/Children’s Choir and Chime Choir on a weekly basis during the months of September—June

—Provide and plan music for special events like: Advent Lessons & Carols, Holy Hours during Lent (with Stations of the Cross), Tenebrae, Divine Mercy Sunday, Corpus Christi Procession, Vacation Bible School, Faith Formation Summer Camp

—Make and format worship aids and program booklets as needed for all special Liturgies: Advent Lessons & Carols, Christmas, Tenebrae, Holy Triduum, Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, and Corpus Christi Procession

—Report music selections for liturgies to uphold necessary printing and streaming license

—Make payroll report bi-monthly to the bookkeeper for the supplemental musicians and cantors

Compensation for this position is: $40,000 – $50,000 annually, with medical benefits. All weddings and funerals are extra income, and the parish averages 50 funerals and 5-10 weddings annually.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and résumé to Fr. Sławomir Ciszkowski to: [email protected] before August 1, 2025.

Manhattan

PARISH OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND NOTRE DAME

The Cantor of the Spanish Music Ministry at the Parish of Corpus Christi and Notre Dame is a part-time position as the leader of music at all Masses celebrated in Spanish at the Parish. The Cantor reports to the Director of Music and the Pastor. It is expected that the Cantor of the Spanish Music Ministry exhibits a high level of musicianship and leadership qualities enhancing the Spanish Mass with music following the guidelines for Masses celebrated in Spanish set forth by the Archdiocese of New York. More information may be found at the following link.

El Cantor del Ministerio de Música en Español de la Parroquia de Corpus Christi y Notre Dame ocupa un puesto de medio tiempo como líder de música en todas las Misas celebradas en español en dicha Parroquia. El Cantor reporta al Director de Música y al Párroco. Se espera que el Cantor del Ministerio de Música en Español muestre un alto nivel de cualidades musicales y de liderazgo mejorando la Misa en español con música siguiendo las pautas para las Misas celebradas en español establecidas por la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York. Puede encontrar más información aquí.

Westchester County

PARISH OF SAINTS JOHN AND MARY (CHAPPAQUA)

The Church of St. John and St. Mary located in Chappaqua, New York is seeking a Music Minister/Organist to provide and oversee the liturgical music program for the parish.

The candidate for this position should possess a background in traditional and contemporary liturgical music in the Catholic tradition. He/She must be able to communicate and work harmoniously with the pastor and other staff members and parishioners.

Duties:

Play at three weekend masses; one Saturday evening and two on Sunday morning; Holy Week, Christmas, First Communion and Confirmation
Conduct the choir, recruit new members, and develop and train a children’s choir.
Provide cantor training for interested parishioners.

This is a part time position with a salary of $45,000 per year. Funerals and weddings would be paid for separately.

Please forward résumé including references to Richard Casterella, Parish Business Manager, at
[email protected]

PARISH OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (NEW ROCHELLE)

The Church of the Blessed Sacrament, located in New Rochelle, New York, is currently seeking a full-time Organist and Director of Music. The parish is in Westchester County and is a large diverse congregation looking to expand and grow the current music program. Please see job description at the enclosed link.

Candidates are invited to submit a résumé with three current references (video links of recent work in a church setting would be most helpful), by August 26, 2024 via email to [email protected], or by mail to Father William Luciano at Blessed Sacrament Church, 15 Shea Place, New Rochelle, New York 10801.

PARISH OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION/ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY (TUCKAHOE)

The sister churches of Immaculate Conception and Assumption of Our Lady in Tuckahoe seek a male leader of song. The primary location of service will be at Assumption of Our Lady Church, located at 100 Pleasant Ave, in Tuckahoe. Mass schedule: 4:00 pm on Saturday and 9:00 am on Sunday, including funerals, weddings, and Holy Days.

The successful candidate will also serve as a bass/tenor section leader in the choir at Immaculate Conception Church, located at 53 Winterhill Road, in Tuckahoe. Additionally, the candidate will be asked to fill in as a song leader on rotation at that location. Times of service at Immaculate Conception: TBD.

Compensation rate is $120.00 per mass. For funerals and weddings, the rate is $200.00. $60.00 per rehearsal (when necessary).

Interested applicants are asked to please contact:
Robert Sticca
914-629-5816
[email protected]

PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW (YONKERS)

The Parish of St. Bartholomew is seeking an organist and bilingual (English and Spanish) music minister. Candidate should have a knowledge of Catholic English-language liturgical repertoire and the ability to build on the existing music program. The parish has recently formed a Spanish-language choir that needs to be further developed and strengthened.

Essential skills are a good singing voice, excellent sight reading, and good interpersonal skills. Candidates must possess an understanding, commitment, and love for the mission of the Roman Catholic Church and her teachings, particularly in the areas of faith and morals. Qualified candidates should possess a minimum of three (3) or more years of experience playing sacred music.

Responsibilities include:

Coordinate music program with the pastor and liturgical team, choosing hymns, and providing traditional, contemporary, and gospel style music for the weekend Masses
Play for Holy Days and special church events (including First Communion and Confirmation)
Provide cantor training for choir members
Encourage and help recruit new choir members when necessary
Hold rehearsal for the adult and children’s choirs (including Christmas and Easter, First Communion, Confirmation, and any special church events)
Play for funerals and weddings
Attend meetings when necessary

NOTES:

Organ: Stadele Allen Organ (and digital keyboard)
Salary range: $28-$35K. Funerals and weddings are paid separately.
Masses are Saturday, 5 p.m., Sunday, 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) and 5 p.m.

Send résumé to: St. Bartholomew’s Church, 15 Palmer Road, Yonkers NY 10701 or [email protected]