Catholic Director of Music
Location: Goodfellow Air Force Base Chapel, Building 136, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
Position Type: Part-Time Independent Contractor
Contract Term: One base year with four potential option years
Typical Schedule: Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., plus four additional hours Monday through Saturday
Position Summary
The Catholic Director of Music will provide professional musical direction, accompaniment, cantorial leadership, and choir coordination for the Goodfellow Air Force Base Catholic community.
The Director of Music will support weekend Masses, Holy Days, Vigil services, seasonal celebrations, rehearsals, funerals, and other special or emergency liturgical services. The individual will work closely with the Catholic Chaplain, Auxiliary Priest, Catholic Pastoral Coordinator, chapel staff, musicians, choir members, contractors, and volunteers.
All musical selections and performances must comply with applicable Roman Catholic liturgical traditions, Sacred Liturgy requirements, chapel procedures, copyright requirements, and the recommendations and approval of the Catholic Chaplain.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Catholic Director of Music shall:
- Consult with the Catholic Chaplain or Auxiliary Priest to plan, coordinate, and lead music for weekend worship services, Holy Days, Vigils, and special Catholic celebrations.
- Serve as the principal cantor and accompanist during Catholic liturgical services.
- Play the organ and piano and lead the choir and congregation in song.
- Conduct, organize, train, and lead the Catholic choir.
- Recruit qualified choir members, cantors, instrumentalists, and other musicians.
- Conduct at least two choir rehearsals each week, including one Sunday morning rehearsal and one weekday evening rehearsal.
- Select appropriate traditional, contemporary, and Catholic folk music consistent with the Sacred Liturgy and the applicable liturgical season.
- Begin rehearsing selected music approximately four weeks before the scheduled liturgical celebration.
- Coordinate musical performances involving guitar, drums, trumpet, organ, piano, and other approved instruments.
- Interpret vocal and instrumental musical scores and synchronize accompaniment with the choir, cantors, musicians, and congregation.
- Incorporate hymns and musical selections requested by the Catholic Chaplain or Auxiliary Priest.
- Provide choral responses, anthems, hymns, and special music that enhance Catholic worship services.
- Communicate with the Catholic Chaplain or Auxiliary Priest each week regarding musical selections and upcoming liturgical celebrations.
- Prepare a written seasonal liturgical music plan covering Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time, Holy Days, and special celebrations.
- Develop and present an annual budget for the Catholic music program.
- Assist in developing an annual calendar of chapel events based on available funding, religious education activities, and chapel operating procedures.
- Coordinate chapel reservations for all required rehearsals and performances.
- Perform musical support for funerals and other special or emergency liturgies when requested.
- Maintain positive and professional relationships with choir members, clergy, chapel staff, volunteers, and other musicians.
- Ensure chapel facilities, musical equipment, and storage areas are left clean, secure, and properly organized after rehearsals and performances.
- Coordinate support requirements with the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Representative, Catholic Parish Coordinator, or other designated Government representative.
- Comply with Christian Copyright Licensing International guidelines and all applicable copyright laws.
- Avoid reproducing or distributing copyrighted musical material without proper authorization.
Required Qualifications
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Possess a college degree in music or have successfully completed college-level music courses.
- Have at least six months of experience working in a Catholic parish setting as a choir director, cantor, or accompanist.
- Demonstrate proficiency in playing both the organ and piano.
- Demonstrate proficiency in vocal performance, cantorial leadership, and sight-reading music.
- Be capable of performing traditional, contemporary, liturgical, and Catholic folk music.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Roman Catholic Masses, liturgies, liturgical seasons, Sacred Liturgy requirements, and the role of music in Catholic worship.
- Be capable of interpreting vocal and instrumental musical scores.
- Demonstrate the ability to plan and collaborate with singers, instrumentalists, clergy, and other liturgical musicians.
- Be capable of selecting appropriate music consistent with the Catholic liturgical calendar and the nature of each worship service.
- Demonstrate effective communication, organization, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
- Be capable of coordinating music with choirs, cantors, musicians, and congregational singing.
- Be able to work respectfully and effectively in a pluralistic military chapel environment.
- Provide letters of recommendation from two Roman Catholic pastors or priests addressing the candidate’s performance and moral character.
Previous experience serving as a Catholic Director of Music in a military chapel environment is preferred but not required.
Work Schedule
The Catholic Director of Music will normally perform services according to the following schedule:
- Sunday: Three hours, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the Goodfellow AFB Chapel, Building 136.
- Monday through Saturday: Four additional hours during the remainder of the workweek.
Work hours may be adjusted to meet chapel requirements. The contractor shall not exceed the authorized hours established for the position without Government approval.
Services will normally be performed at the Goodfellow AFB Chapel or one of its satellite facilities.
Background Check and Suitability Requirements
The selected candidate must complete a criminal history background check in accordance with Department of Defense requirements.
A contractor may be permitted to begin work before the background check is completed only when remaining within sight of an individual who has successfully completed the required background check.
Before placement, the Catholic Chaplain or a designated member of the Goodfellow AFB Chapel staff will conduct a competency-based assessment. The candidate must bring a résumé describing relevant experience and qualifications.
The assessment may include:
- An interview or professional dialogue.
- Sight-reading sheet music.
- A vocal or instrumental musical demonstration.
- Evaluation of the candidate’s knowledge of Catholic music and liturgical practices.
Musical instruments required for the assessment will be provided by the chapel.
Safety and Security Responsibilities
The Catholic Director of Music must:
- Comply with all applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Air Force Occupational Safety and Health standards.
- Follow applicable federal, state, and local laws, Air Force Instructions, and chapel operating procedures.
- Protect all Government-issued keys, access codes, equipment, and information.
- Ensure chapel buildings and assigned areas are properly secured when the Director of Music is the last person to leave.
- Comply with Air Force information security and operational security requirements.
- Protect controlled, sensitive, and mission-related information from unauthorized disclosure.
- Refrain from bringing hazardous materials, weapons, firearms, or ammunition onto Goodfellow AFB.
- Maintain professional conduct and comply with all installation access, safety, and security requirements.
Substitute Personnel
The Catholic Director of Music is expected to personally perform the required services. When an absence is necessary, the contractor may propose a substitute with qualifications equal to or greater than those required for the position.
The name and qualifications of a proposed substitute must be submitted to the Catholic Parish Coordinator at least 14 days before the anticipated absence. All substitute personnel are subject to approval by the lead faith Chaplain, and the contractor remains responsible for compensating the substitute.
Professional Expectations
The successful candidate must:
- Dress modestly and professionally in a manner appropriate for an office and worship environment.
- Maintain harmonious and respectful relationships with clergy, choir members, musicians, chapel personnel, and volunteers.
- Exercise sound judgment when selecting and performing sacred music.
- Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, confidentiality, and professional integrity.
- Support the spiritual mission of the Goodfellow AFB Catholic community through appropriate and high-quality liturgical music.
Conclusion
The Catholic Director of Music plays an essential role in supporting the worship life of the Goodfellow Air Force Base Catholic community. The ideal candidate will combine strong musical ability, Catholic liturgical knowledge, choir leadership experience, professional communication, and dependable contract performance to provide meaningful and appropriate musical support for Catholic services and celebrations.
Pay: $50,548.49 - $60,875.60 per year
Work Location: In person
