Description

Position Title: Director of Music Ministry and Organist

Position: Exempt/40 hours per week; Eligible for a sabbatical after six (6) years of service. Minimum salary of $75,000 with a generous benefits package. 

Primary Function: To provide leadership and resources for the total music ministry of Idlewild Presbyterian Church. The Director of Music Ministry and Organist reports to the Pastor and Head of Staff.

Essential Functions:

• Organizes a multiple-choir program for all choral music and handbells.
  • Serves as director for the adult choir(s), planning music with professional staff for all worship services for the church year.
  • Recruits volunteers to support other choirs (children, youth, handbells), working with them and the professional staff to plan music for the church year
  • Encourages volunteer participation in the music ministry by actively recruiting choir members and instrumentalists.
  • Secures and supervises all choir section leaders, soloists, and instrumentalists that participate in worship.
• Serves as organist for all regular and special services of worship, including weddings and funerals. Approves guest organists if requested for weddings and funerals.
• Meets weekly with program staff, worship staff, and other professional staff to plan for the worship and music in all areas of the church, to coordinate other aspects of church life, and to provide mutual staff support.
• Encourages congregational singing in creative and innovative ways.
• Arranges for a competent substitute when on vacation or on study leave.
• Works with the Carillonneur to encourage the use of this instrument and participates in his/her annual review.
• Plans special concerts and presentations for the greater community within financial guidelines and approval of the Worship & Music Committee.
• Encourages and supervises the use of all musical instruments belonging to the church and oversees the maintenance and repair of these instruments.
• Orders all music materials necessary for the music program and oversees the care of the music library.
• Shares in the pastoral care of members who are participating in the music ministry in consultation with the Pastor and Head of Staff.
• Seeks to develop personal relationships within the congregation by being an active participant in the life of the church.
• Consults regularly with the Worship & Music Committee and attends their meetings as staff resource person along with the Head of Staff.
• Uses Continuing Education time and funds to enhance his/her skills and knowledge and gives study leave reports to Session.

Interested applicants should e-mail their resume and a letter of interest to musicsearch@idlewildchurch.org. 

Requirements

Who We Are Looking For:

We are seeking dynamic, Christ-centered leadership to build on our rich history of musical excellence. Idlewild welcomes candidates who share in our vision of inclusivity, openness, and joy in worship. A successful candidate will possess the following attributes:

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in music, with a master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Experience in managing worship services in the Reformed tradition
• Proficiency in a variety of musical traditions, genres, and styles
• Demonstrated expertise in organ, piano, choral directing, and vocal technique

Personality

• Be the “face” of our music program; be energetic, friendly, and welcoming
• Maintain effective and regular communication with church staff, choir members and congregants
• Work effectively and collegially with a variety of groups (choir, Worship and Music Committee, church staff, congregants)
• Look to congregation for untapped talents to enhance the worship experience
• Demonstrate openness with regard to music traditions different than your own

Organization

• Plan, collaborate and communicate with church staff, as necessary, the music for upcoming regular and special worship services
• Develop and maintain good relations with area musicians
• Maintain the music library
• Develop and maintain a schedule of regular maintenance for church instruments
• Alongside the Head of Staff, oversee maintenance of music related budgets and special funds

Outreach

• Ability to effectively communicate with staff, congregants, and the community
• Purposeful strategies to teach and develop vocalists of all ages and abilities
• Desire and capability to grow choirs through evangelism and recruitment
• Ambition to grow children’s music and handbell choirs
• Willingness to participate in the greater life of the church