SUMMARY

The Director of Music Ministry (DMM) leads the music ministries in the church, including piano and/or organ, choirs, and instrumental music for Sunday worship and other events as needed. The DMM works in conjunction with the Pastors and lay leadership in planning the musical portion of church programming and worship services.

WHO WE ARE

We are a joyful community who care for each other, for people in our broader community, and for our earth. Affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association, First Church in Sterling is a theologically diverse, open and affirming, progressive Christian community where we are gathered in the spirit of Jesus and are committed to creating heaven on earth. We offer worship services Sundays at 10 AM, year-round.

We are dedicated to dynamic worship each Sunday morning, with music central to the experience. We celebrate our multi-generational and multi-denominational congregation with a diversity of music and worship opportunities.

As we are rebounding from pandemic challenges, we are finding opportunities to celebrate and worship in new ways. We are searching for a DMM to provide inspirational music and to build on the foundation of a choir of around 15 members and a growing and very active congregation of about 300 enthusiastic members (including many with diverse musical talents).

WHO YOU ARE

Passionate about music as a means of spiritual expression and of opening the congregation to spiritual exploration. Flexible and creative, able to work with musicians of all skill and ability levels, and willing to support the mission of the church. Choral director in both traditional and contemporary music. Skilled pianist and/or organist preferred, we may be willing to outsource choir accompaniment and/or organist to accommodate the right Director or Music Ministry Candidate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support of Worship Services:

• Coordinates all music, plays the piano and/or organ, and directs the choir for Sunday and special services including Ash Wednesday, Christmas Eve (two services), Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.
• Reviews, selects, and purchases music that follows the thematic planning of the senior pastor, team, and the liturgical year, and that reflects a wide diversity of styles. Maintains the music library.
• Intentionally programs a thoughtful mix of traditional/contemporary hymns, songs, anthems, and pieces for choirs, small groups, and soloists, and instrumental pieces for organ, piano, or other instrumental groups or soloists.
• Arranges for and provides orientation for guest/substitute musicians and other artists (instrumental, vocal, visual) as needed.
• Leverage musical selections for choir and various music groups to match variety of levels of musical training and talent
• Provides copyright reporting to appropriate entities for live-streaming worship services.
• Attends monthly staff meetings and meetings of the worship team.

Musical Education and Development

• Rehearses and conducts the adult choir and at least 1 section leader/soloist for services and for weekly rehearsal(s).
• Recruits and motivates new choir members and other musicians.
• Creates and maintains information about musical talents/abilities in the congregation and regularly incorporates them into worship services, fosters growth for musicians within the church community.
• Direct congregational singing and music groups providing multiple styles and opportunities for a variety of ages and abilities.

Stewardship of Music Program Resources

• Oversees maintenance of pianos, organ, bells, and other instruments.
• Procures vestments, folders, music, and other related materials.
• Manages, consults, and advises on music budget and program needs.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Provides consultation and music for other special services; remuneration negotiated with the Senior Pastor.
• Other duties as requested by the Senior Pastor.

Minimum Qualifications:

The Director of Music Ministry must have experience and skill playing the piano and/or organ and must be able to conduct choral groups. The DMM will have:

• Wide range of knowledge in sacred music, contemporary music, and worship planning.

(Bachelor of Music/Sacred Music or certification is preferred but not required.)

• Knowledge of, and ability to implement, choral vocal technique.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Spiritual and emotional maturity.
• Willingness to explore innovative ways of growing the music ministry.
• Knowledge of and experience with basic audio/visual technology is a plus.

Title: Director of Music Ministry

Terms of Employment: Part-time exempt position, average of 16 hours per week.

Salary: $25,000+ per year commensurate with experience with 5 annual paid Sundays off

Audition required.

• Play a piece of your choice on the piano (and preferably organ also).
• Lead a choir rehearsal:
• Rehearse a piece the choir knows well (10-15 minutes)
• Introduce a contemporary piece of your choice to the choir (10-15 minutes)

Location: The First Church in Sterling

Contact: Cate Potenza

Address: 6 Meetinghouse Hill Rd PO Box 40 Sterling MA 01564

Phone: 5049634071

Email: Click to email

Website: www.fcsterling.org