Minister of Music / Music Director

About the role

We seek a Minister of Music who will collaborate with our pastor and church leadership team to create a vibrant and inclusive worship environment. We desire a blend of traditional and contemporary music styles. We are looking for a creative individual who can develop our musical talents and utilize church assets to increase energy and engagement within our community. The Minister of Music will support the spiritual life of the congregation by overseeing a music ministry that enriches and deepens worship and other activities of the church.

Responsibilities

• Worship
  Collaborate with the Pastoral Team and the Worship Planning Team in preparing for Sunday Morning Worship, which may include instrumental music, choir music, and congregational singing.
  Rehearse and lead music in worship.
  Identify and include individuals with musical gifts from within and beyond the congregation.
  Seek out music that will add diversity of culture and style to our worship, being sensitive to issues of cultural appropriation.
  Suggest music for worship that is appropriate for children, youth and young adults.

• Contemporary Band
  Arrange for members to play special music at service during the summer months.
  Choose music for and direct/supervise the contemporary band.

• Periodic Services and Vigils
  Collaborate with the Pastoral Team and the Worship Planning Team in preparing periodic non-Sunday services and vigils, including Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas Eve, and 2-3 others during the year.
  Facilitate music for funerals and weddings (with additional fees to be negotiated).

• Choir
  Prepare for and conduct regular rehearsals during the program year (September to May): Wednesday evenings from 7:00- 8:30pm Sunday mornings from 8:30-10:15am.
  Recruit members of the choir and support their continuing involvement.
  Challenge the choir musically while creating a flexible and nurturing environment for all choir members, regardless of skill/talent.
  Provide education and vocal coaching of choir members.
  Help the choir to serve as worship leaders, encouraging the congregation to participate more fully.

• Administrative
  Attend meetings of the staff team.
  Keep rosters of people with musical gifts in the congregation.
  Communicate with appropriate staff member for information in print and web-based communication (i.e., bulletins, newsletters, annual reports)
  Oversee the care and maintenance of the organ, piano, and other church musical instruments (percussion)
  Organize and maintain the music library

• Engagement
  Work proactively to include persons of all ages, abilities, and musical talents in the music ministry of the church.
  Manage and engage with other music ensembles.
  Offer a teaching presence that broadens the congregation's musical knowledge and skills.
  Collaborate with Staff and Volunteers to develop programming that introduces our children and youth to the basics of singing technique and helps them gain familiarity with the music we sing as a congregation.
  Periodically collaborate with other congregations or groups in the community.

Qualifications

• A degree in music
• Proficiency as a musical director is expected; proficiency in voice and other instruments such as guitar, brass or drums is a plus.
• Knowledge of sacred music, hymnody, and liturgy
• Prior experience as a church musician and in music program leadership
• Connections to the broader music community
• Spirituality, creativity, and enthusiasm