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Positions Available in our area

Choir and Music Director

Calvary Baptist Church, Newark DE

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The Choir and Music Director is a part-time, salaried employee who directs and maintains a quality and edifying music ministry as a part of the worship life of Calvary Baptist Church, primarily through the direction of an adult choir. 

 

Qualifications

  1. At least bachelor’s level degree in music or commensurate professional experience. Current music students may be considered under certain circumstances.

  2. Demonstrated supervisory skills to lead and choose appropriate music for choirs in accordance with the skill level of its volunteer performers. 

  3. Familiarity with Christian worship services and openness to a blended worship experience that draws upon several different forms of music and artistic expression in a culturally diverse setting. 

  4. Collegial approach to working with others in a church setting, including Church Organist/Pianist, other congregational musicians, and church staff. 

  5. Appreciation of music as part of the worship experience and sensitivity to the worship needs of the congregation. 

  6. Ability to organize, coordinate and motivate musicians/choral members. 

 

Accountability: The Choir Director shall be 

  1. Under the supervisory direction of the Senior Pastor, and in the absence of the Senior Pastor, communicate with the Chair of the Diaconate Board or their designated music representative.

  2. The Diaconate Board is the primary body that oversees the worship life of the church, and who will provide an annual assessment of the music director, along with the senior patsor.

 

Responsibilities:

  1. Organize and direct the adult choir. This includes music planning, recruiting choir members, and oversight of regular rehearsals. Worship services are 10:30 am on Sundays. Rehearsals have historically been 8pm on Wednesdays; time may be negotiable if necessary. 

  2. Schedule and arrange for occasional special music performers for Sunday morning worship services, particularly when the choir is not performing.

  3. Assist in choosing congregational singing music (hymns, etc.) for worship when requested/if the current pastor does not do this.

  4. Plan and implement special musical aspects for important seasons in the life of the church; for example, Christmas cantatas, special Holy Week or Easter services, etc.

  5. Seek opportunities for and implement other musical programs, including for children, when and if there are sufficient interested participants.

  6. Oversee inventory of the music library, including arranging for the ordering of materials and supplies. Take responsibility for the organization of the music office.

  7. Oversee inventory of and take responsibility for the care, maintenance, and tuning of instruments.

  8. Attend a monthly check-in meeting with the Senior Pastor and diaconate representative.

  9. Arrange for a suitable substitute in case of absence. 

 

Compensation

Please inquire. The Choir Director’s remuneration package shall be reviewed annually by the Diaconate and Senior Pastor.

 

Direct inquiries and resumes to:

Pastor Corey Fields

Calvary Baptist Church

215 E. Delaware Ave.

Newark, DE 19711

corey@calvarybaptistnewark.org

302.368.4904

8.20.24

 

Director of Music. 20 hrs./week

St. John’s Presbyterian Church

Devon, PA

 

Who We Are 

St. John’s Presbyterian Church is a vibrant community of approximately 180 members, located just off of Route 30 in Devon, PA. While we are a smaller church, that is actually our strength! In an area of large churches, our congregants express that they can get to know people here in a way that they can’t elsewhere. That is a big part of our mission: in an isolated and individualistic culture, we want to connect people with God and each other. We welcome and love all people, recognizing that a diversity of people brings a diversity of gifts.

 

What We Do

Committed to nurturing spiritual growth and a welcoming environment, our congregation has a deep appreciation for a wide range of musical styles, from classical to contemporary. We have a choir, multiple bell choirs, a brass ensemble, and a contemporary band featuring guitars, keyboards, drums, and sometimes an accordion! Regardless of the style, we value excellence in music and recognize its ability to build community and help us experience God.

 

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a Director of Music who can work with the musicians that we already have, as well as leading us to new musical expressions that enhance our life and worship together. Our ideal candidate has a knowledge and love of sacred music, both traditional and contemporary. You would know how to play both the pipe organ and piano well, but there is also room for any other musical abilities that you possess. We aren’t just looking for someone to “perform” in worship. We want someone who can work with our pastors and musicians to create an experience of worship. And we aren’t just looking for someone to “do a job.” We want someone who will form relationships with church members and be a part of our life together.

 

The following traits and skills would make you a great fit for this position:

• Outgoing and Inclusive – You are able to engage and relate to a wide range of people. You aren’t afraid to ask people to jump in and use their gifts.

• Creative – You can use your imagination and think outside the box.

• Sense of humor – The music ministry of a church should be meaningful, but should also be fun!

• Leadership and Collaboration – You can bring people together and motivate them to achieve a common goal, but you can also work side-by-side with us to set those goals.

• Organized – You can plan in advance, maintain a budget and music library, and coordinate with other individuals/groups in the church.

• Communication – You can effectively teach others; you are comfortable speaking in front of the congregation; and you can clearly articulate the vision of the music program.

• Tech savvy – You are comfortable working with sound systems, a/v equipment, music software, and other relevant digital tools.

• Experience – You have demonstrated experience leading a music ministry in another religious or community setting.

• Reformed – While we are open to a wide range of people and perspectives, it is important to us that you are in basic alignment with the values and beliefs of St. John’s Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

• Education – While a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in music or a related field is preferred, we value experience and ability over credentials. We aren’t just looking for someone who has an education, but someone who wants to keep learning and growing

 

The work of the Director of Music takes about 20 hours each week, but some of that involves getting to know people and building relationships with the congregation.

The specific, day-to-day responsibilities of this position include:

 

Worship

• Work with the pastors to select music for worship services.

• Play organ and piano for all regular and special worship services,

including Christmas Eve (4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.) and Maundy Thursday (7:00 p.m.).

• When there is a wedding or memorial service, the Director of Music is the “first call”

to provide music. If you are unable to play, you help the pastors find a capable substitute.

• Select music, rehearse, and direct the choir on a weekly basis from September through June. The summer months are spent planning ahead.

• Actively recruit new members for the choir and encourage church members who are musicians to contribute their talents to the Sunday worship services.

• With the assistance of the pastors and the Worship & Music Committee, coordinate the schedule of performances during worship for the handbell choirs, brass ensemble, Joy Messengers, and other musical groups.

• Work cooperatively with other musical groups to coordinate rehearsal times on Sunday mornings.

• Cultivate a sacred space by straightening the choir area after worship each Sunday.

• Organize special Sunday morning music during summer months when the choir is not

in session.

• Multi-tasking - the ability to juggle and tap dance are not required, but definite pluses! 

 

Administration

• Attend regular planning meetings with the pastors and other members of the music program to coordinate the music schedule.

• Hire section leaders for the choir and other guest musicians as necessary, within the
allotted budget.

• Order music and supplies for the music ministry.

• Maintain the music library and a data base of the sheet music that St. John’s owns to ensure effective, efficient, and diverse selection of music.

• Maintain a regular tuning schedule with reputable tuners for the organ and piano.

• Work with the Worship & Music Committee and Treasurer to ensure that expenditures do not exceed what has been budgeted for the annually approved music budget.

 

Application Process

St. John’s Presbyterian Church is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds. To apply for the position of Director of Music at St. John’s, please submit a resume with references, cover letter, and any relevant portfolio materials to music@stjohnsdevon.com

7.25.24

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