A progressive, reconciling church with a longstanding commitment to social justice, Christ United Methodist Church (CCUM) is seeking their next Director of Music. This part-time position has an active role in creating music that complements worship. The Music Director’s primary focus is to prepare the choir and other musicians for their active participation and serve a leadership role in the Sunday worship services and other special services as required. This position can be a combined music director and accompanist or solely music director with an accompanist hired separately. If you embrace all people, have a passion for a wide variety of music and the ability to effectively lead, teach, manage, and communicate with musicians then we want to hear from you.
Responsibilities:
- Interface with the pastor to select hymns, choral and small ensemble music for the worship services. Selections should provide a variety of music, including traditional and contemporary music, and should be appropriately coordinated with the liturgical calendar. Whenever possible, the anthem should follow the theme or sermon for the worship service.
- Either accompany or coordinate with church accompanist on music for worship
- Conduct rehearsals for the choir and small ensembles Wednesday evenings September – May and Sunday mornings June – August
- Get to know the church musicians and the gifts they have to offer with the purpose of growing the music program
- Arrange for vocal and instrumental solos, duets, and small ensembles for each worship service
- Arrange for community musicians as needed to accompany our groups
- Manage budget for the music ministry including purchasing music and paying guest musicians
- Maintain the music library (filing and organizing) and keeping the music room orderly and neat
- Special Service Responsibilities: Select and arrange for musical presentations at additional services during Holy Week (Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday), Easter cantata and Advent/Christmas season
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with a music major or minor. Equivalent experience and knowledge can be substituted in lieu of this educational requirement.
- Accomplished vocalist with choral group experience.
- Instrumental skills are desired. Preferred instruments are organ, piano, and guitar.
- Solo performance experience is desired.
- Strong conducting, teaching and rehearsing skills with choral, solo, and small ensembles.
- Ability to embrace various styles of music from traditional hymns to modern.
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Willingness to be a participating team member with the pastor, other staff members, and members of the congregation.
- Enthusiasm, positivity, creativity, and a good sense of humor.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
Evaluation:
- First three (3) months will be a probationary period with required weekly communication (either in person or by phone or email) with the Pastor/SPRC Chair or his/her appointee.
- Annual evaluation will be conducted during the fall of each calendar year by the Pastor or the Staff-Parish Relations Committee.
Terms of Employment:
- Compensation: commensurate with experience and role. This position can be either a combined Music Director and Accompanist or just Music Director with the church hiring a separate Accompanist. Salary will reflect these 2 roles.
- Vacation days: 4 Sundays per year (prior approval by Pastor)
- Weekly hours:
- September-May: 6:00 – 8:30 pm each Wednesday evening for choir practice (6:30-8:00 pm) and 9:30 am – noon each Sunday (choir rehearses at 10:00 am prior to service; service begins at 10:15 am)
- June-August: 9:00-noon on Sunday mornings for a drop-in choir rehearsal 9:00-10:00
- Planning time: suggest at least 2 hours per week