Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Other Education
Other Work and Service
Timeline
Generic

Daniel Sauceda

Phoenix,AZ

Summary

Dynamic music director with 15 years of experience in Catholic Liturgy. Daniel is able to run choir rehearsals completely in Spanish, but also inserts some English for those who struggle or don't quite understand Spanish but wish to participate in the Spanish choir. Daniel believes in the power of Liturgy and what it can inspire in each person that walks through a Catholic Church's doors.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Sacred Music

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and School
07.2019 - 08.2023

-Direct Music at weekend Liturgies and all major Feast Days and Solemnities

-Recruit members for the 5 parish choirs (Traditional Choir, Contemporary Choir, Men's Choir,

Schola Cantorum, and Children's Choir)

-Develop and Maintain a yearly budget

-Maintain the parish choral library

Music Director And Organist

St Mary St Catherine Of Siena Parish
01.2012 - 06.2019
  • Direct Two Parish Choirs with repertoire ranging from early chant, to traditional hymnody, to contemporary, and Spanish and Bilingual repertoire.
  • Playing, Singing, and Directing Music for 4 Weekend Liturgies, Holy Days of Obligation, Special Liturgies including weddings and funerals.
  • Create and direct instrumental ensembles for special liturgies such as brass ensembles for Christmas, Easter, and weddings, and an orchestra for Easter.
  • Work with the Parish school on occasion to teach children songs for Sunday Mass or other events
  • Other functions as needed, including filling in for the secretary, teaching adult religious education, and more.

Music Director

Charlestown Community Choir
02.2015 - 06.2019
  • Founded and directed a choir of all skill levels built mainly of members from within the Charlestown suburb of Boston, to provide fine music to the community.
  • Taught music appreciation, history and fundamentals to vocalists and musicians of all skill levels.

Assistant Director, Arranger, Accompanist

Winchester High School
01.2015 - 06.2015
  • Accompany the school choirs on piano or percussion
  • Create arrangements of selections of music tailored to the needs and specifics of the school choirs
  • Run sectionals as needed
  • Direct the choir in absence of the director

Music Director And Organist

Monrovia United Methodist Church
06.2008 - 07.2011
  • Maintain and Direct the Sunday service choir with repertoire ranging from traditional hymnody to contemporary worship style music.
  • Maintenance of multiple instruments.
  • Direct children to sing one short song per service.

Freelance Composer, Arranger, Orchestrator

Self-Employed
01.2008 - Current


  • Arrange music for performance of specific ensembles and instrumentations.
  • Edit music for notation errors, adjustments in orchestration to improve tuning, balance, and build of sound.
  • Intimate knowledge of uses of software programs Sibelius and Logic Pro.

Director of Diocesan and Cathedral Music

Diocese of Phoenix
09.2023 - Current

-Direct Liturgical music for weekend Liturgies at SS Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix

(English and Spanish), AZ including all major feasts and solemnities.

-Direct Liturgical music for major Diocesan Events, such as the annual Chrism Mass,

Ordinations, and other major events.

-Direct Liturgical music for various other Diocesan celebrations for organizations, conferences,

and special groups.-Create and maintain a music budget for SS Simon and Jude Cathedral and administer paid

musicians for weekend and special Liturgies.

-Create worship aids for English language Masses at SS Simon and Jude Cathedral, and

Diocesan Liturgies.

-Meet on occasion with local parish music directors to develop of a knowledge of the strengths,

weaknesses, and needs of Liturgical music in the Diocese.

-Be a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, led by Bishop John Dolan, Bishop of

Phoenix.

Education

Master Of Music - Composition

The Boston Conservatory
Boston, MA
2013

Skills

  • Knowledge of sacred music and its rich history in The Church from the traditional to the contemporary, and multiple languages
  • Organist with 15 years of experience in Catholic Liturgy, skilled in improvisation and can lead choir and/or ensemble from the organ
  • Compiling a Spanish hymnody collection to enhance Spanish-language Liturgies and move beyond the confines of the offering that US publishers have provided for Spanish Masses
  • Spanish as a first language, fluent in English, profficient in French
  • Classical/orchestral percussionist with a specialty in timpani
  • Experienced conductor of both instrumental, choral, and mixed ensembles
  • Arranger for any ensemble of musicians
  • Experience with sound systems to optimize sound clarity both for music performance and for speaking engagements
  • Composer of instrumental and choral works as well as Liturgical works A 3-year Responsorial Psalm cycle in English completed and a 3-year Responsorial Psalm cycle in Spanish near completion for all Sundays, Feast Days, and Holy Days of Obligation
  • Strong teamwork skills, working with other music directors around the Diocese to collaborate on Diocesan projects
  • Ability to make things happen last minute, whether a sudden need for a hymn change or sudden need for music when sheet music is not available

Other Education

  • Bachelor of Music studies in composition, California State University, Los Angeles 2006-2011
  • Instrumental and Choral Conducting Classes California State University, Los Angeles 2008-2011
  • Instrumental Performance in Classical and Latin Percussion, Lessons and Ensembles, California State University, Los Angeles, and The Boston Conservatory 2006-2013

Other Work and Service

  • Taught music composition lessons in Paris.
  • Toured historic pipe organs in England and France.
  • Mariachi Singer
  • Powwow Drum Singer
  • Bass Guitarist as a substitute for pop/rock bands.
  • Various services to Native communities including teaching of music, aid in daily life, delivery of home needs.
  • Contributor of research for panel discussions at universities including Harvard, Tufts, and more, surrounding current day social issues affecting the Native communities in the US.

Timeline

Director of Diocesan and Cathedral Music

Diocese of Phoenix
09.2023 - Current

Director of Sacred Music

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and School
07.2019 - 08.2023

Music Director

Charlestown Community Choir
02.2015 - 06.2019

Assistant Director, Arranger, Accompanist

Winchester High School
01.2015 - 06.2015

Music Director And Organist

St Mary St Catherine Of Siena Parish
01.2012 - 06.2019

Music Director And Organist

Monrovia United Methodist Church
06.2008 - 07.2011

Freelance Composer, Arranger, Orchestrator

Self-Employed
01.2008 - Current

Master Of Music - Composition

The Boston Conservatory