Director of Music Ministries

First Presbyterian Church of Newark, Delaware 

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First Presbyterian Church of Newark, Delaware, (FPCN) seeks a Director of Music Ministries to lead its worship through organ playing, choir directorship and collaboration with the praise team to enhance our worship of God and strengthen our outreach to the community. In its recent revisioning process, the congregation strongly reaffirmed the importance of music in worship and their desire to support a successful candidate.

 

As an example of its commitment to quality worship and engaging community performers, FPCN refurbished its 650-seat sanctuary in the summer of 2022. The benefits included a drastic acoustic improvement, building a tiered choir loft located underneath the organ chambers, an extended chancel with great flexibility and an extensive upgrade to the audio, video and streaming capabilities. These enhancements coupled with a prime location on a major road in Newark and extensive, free parking makes FPCN an ideal venue for expanded music performance for both worship and concerts.

 

The location of the church is within walking distance to University of Delaware (U of D). U of D’s choral program is well regarded on the East Coast and its present director previously served the congregation and has a warm relationship with the congregation. Coupled with the numerous ensembles in Newark and Wilmington, a successful candidate will seek to engage these ensembles into the church for concert or worship and promote them to the greater Newark community.

 

The Director will work collaboratively with the pastor to coordinate the musical resources of the congregation. Presently, the congregation is producing one blended worship service utilizing the adult choir, praise team and handbell choir. To encourage ongoing participation in all ensembles, the present effort is to share the available music slots equally between music styles while serving the Biblical text and sermon theme for each Sunday.

 

This position is half-time, and compensation includes a stipend to help with medical insurance and/or other benefits. Presently the handbell choir is directed by a member of the congregation. If the Director has the skill set to lead the handbell choir, the position hours would increase to three-quarter time, and compensation would be adjusted accordingly.

 

FPC’s organ is a Moeller which was renovated and expanded by Robert Gladden and Associates in the early 2000’s. It is a three-keyboard movable console that contains 24 ranks of 1437 pipes; 40 digital stops which equal an additional 30 ranks; Harp, Celeste, and Degan Tower Chimes (all digital); existing conventional chimes; and a MIDI system with play/record and transpose capabilities. Also in the sanctuary is a fine Yamaha 3 Concert Grand Piano. 

 

Worship services are broadcast live and accessible for later viewing on YouTube. A link to a representative service is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVxuSzK3fH8&t=2207s.

 

To learn more about FPCN, visit our website at firstpresnewark.org. The link to a detailed job description is Job Description: Director of Music Ministries. For inquiries or to submit an application, contact humanresources@firstpresnewark.org or call the office at 302-731-5644.

9.7.23

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Church Organist/Pianist 

Mount Pleasant Church

1713 Liberty Grove Rd Colora, MD  21917

Salary commensurate with experience

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Job Description

Mt Pleasant Church is seeking a part-time organist/pianist for Sunday morning 10am services, other special services, weddings or funerals, as needed.  Choir rehearsals typically are one weekday evening during the school year. Bell Choir is usually for the Christmas and Easter seasons.  Mt Pleasant is a rural church in western Cecil County with approximately 100 members and has enjoyed a very good musical ministry over the years. Both traditional hymns and praise music are enjoyed and used as a mix for Sunday services.

 

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Provide pipe organ/piano music for service and choir accompaniment each Sunday 10 am  

• Rehearse choir on selected evening from Labor Day to Memorial Day

• Rehearse soloists or small groups in special music during summer months or special services

• Rehearse and conduct Bell Choir for special seasonal services

• Coordinate with the pastor selections of music for services

• Attend church council meeting at least semi-annually to provide plan for upcoming season

• File report with CCLI for music licensing

 

Qualifications

• Experienced with pipe organ/piano through private study or higher education

• Experienced in conducting choir

• Background check will be required as we subscribe to Safe Sanctuary rules

• Professing Christian

 

Please submit questions or resume to mtpleasant@zoominternet.net

By October 10, 2023

9.5.23

 

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Organist and Choirmaster 

Christ Episcopal Church, Woodbury, NJ

https://christchurch.woodburynj.org/parish-musician-search/

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Founded in 1856 and located in historic downtown Woodbury, New Jersey,

Christ Episcopal Church is a vibrant parish community with rich liturgy and music grounded in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. We offer activities and educational programs for children, youth, adults, women, men, and families that strengthen and equip us to live as Christians in the world. We provide multiple opportunities to engage in mission-minded outreach in our local communities and beyond. We are now receiving applications from candidates to fill the position of Parish Musician at Christ Church, comprising the traditional roles of Organist and Choirmaster.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide organ music and accompaniment for the Sunday 10 a.m. Mass

• occasional other services as scheduled

• Lead weekly choir rehearsals, including additional rehearsal time for Choral Scholars, and separate rehearsals for Choristers.

• Conduct choir in performance of psalms, anthems, and motets.

• Select and prepare a diverse range of choral repertoire attuned to the liturgical year and appropriate to the choir’s capabilities.

• Select appropriate hymns, choral works, preludes, and postludes for Sundays, holy days, and other occasional services (with selections subject to clergy approval).

• Develop and commit to a vision which nurtures and grows the entire choral community.

• Work with clergy and parish leadership to discern opportunities for revitalizing and growing the Chorister (Youth Choir) program.

• Work with the wardens and vestry to ensure organ maintenance and necessary repairs.

• Work with the wardens, treasurer, and vestry to manage the music budget and identify sources of extra funding for the music program.

• Attend in-person and/or virtual staff meetings and other meetings as required.

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Music, Organ, or Choral Conducting; or equivalent experience.

• Experience in leading a music program in a church setting.

• Excellent pipe organ skills, including improvisation.

• Excellent choral conducting ability.

• Excellent planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communications skills.

• Ability to prepare a choir effectively in rehearsals to bring out its best in services.

• Ability to relate to and work well with choir members of all ages and skill levels.

• Ability to provide choir members with a rewarding experience and musical growth.

• The ideal candidate would also have: o Experience serving in an Episcopal parish.

• Familiarity and comfort with Anglo-Catholic liturgical and musical traditions, such as
  Anglican chant, plainsong psalmody, minor propers, choral Evensong.

 

Compensation

• This position is part-time (15 hours/week).

• Salary range $28,000- $32,000 commensurate with experience.

• 4 weeks paid vacation.

• Interested candidates: Please send the following to Fr. Lawrence Civale at frcivale@christchurch.woodburynj.org

• Cover letter stating your interest and explaining how your gifts are suited to the position.

• Resumé.

• Reference contact information of three people who can attest to your qualifications and personal characteristics.

• Links to videos or recordings of your organ performance, hymn accompaniment,

and choral conducting, as available.

Christ Episcopal Church 62 Delaware Street Woodbury, NJ 08096 (856) 845-0190

6.22.23