Director of Music Ministry
Job Description
rev. 7/21/2016
First Congregational Church, U.C.C.
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
I. Job Title: Director of Music Ministry (part-time)
General Description: The Director’s highest responsibilities are to identify, nurture and deploy the musical gifts of the congregation. The Director shall report to [a designated] Pastor and will also receive input/guidance from the Deacons of Worship & the Arts. The Music Director shall set his/her own work schedule, understanding that weekend and evening work will be required. The Director will lead the Senior Choir, Handbell Choir, and supervise/coach other music staff (e.g., Organist and Children's Music Directors).
II. Duties and Responsibilities: The Director of Music Ministry will assess the music needs of the congregation and respond as Senior Choir Director, Handbell Director, and Director of the music program at FCC.
A) SENIOR CHOIR DIRECTOR
· Direct and strengthen the Senior Choir in its role in music/worship leadership. Encourage growth in numbers and expanded repertoire.
· Lead the choir in providing anthems and musical leadership (hymn singing, responses, etc.) in worship from September through Mid June (choir could be “off” one Sunday per month).
· Lead choir rehearsals weekly on Wednesday nights and on Sunday mornings before choir performances, with additional rehearsals at the discretion of the Director.
· Arrange for the choir to sing at additional services during the year as scheduled: e.g. Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, etc.
B) HANDBELL CHOIR DIRECTOR
· Direct and strengthen the Handbell Choir in its role in music/worship leadership. Encourage growth in numbers and expanded repertoire.
· Lead the Handbell choir in two worship services per semester (i.e., September-December and January-June). This may include additional services as noted above.
· Lead Handbell Choir rehearsals weekly on Wednesday nights and on Sunday mornings before Handbell performances
C) DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
· Determine the musical needs of our varied congregation and develop a plan to address those needs. Such a plan must include uplifting music of varied genres for every Sunday of the year.
· Serve as coach/supervisor to other music staff.
· Conduct annual performance reviews of music staff and assist them in setting goals for the next year.
· Plan regularly with the pastors and music staff. Initiate planning meetings and encourage music staff and pastors to look ahead and yet remain flexible. Lead the selection of hymns in consultation with the preaching pastor and organist.
· Oversee the development of an annual budget for music, and manage the music program, according to this budget.
· Present monthly reports to the Deacons of Worship & the Arts (this Board meets monthly on a Thursday evening)
· Be available as a resource person to staff and members on music-related matters.
· Perform other administrative duties as needed; e.g., provide information for worship bulletins, maintain music library; maintain music licenses and reporting; oversee routine tuning and maintenance of instruments (pianos, handbells, organ) as needed;
· Develop musical programs and events (outside of the senior choir) that vary in style and instrumentation.
III. Compensation, Hours, Benefits
A. The position of Director of Music shall be a part-time salaried position and classified as an exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Dir. of Music shall receive an annual salary paid semi-monthly based on a 12-month calendar year.
This position does not include any benefits beyond the stated salary. The compensation does not include a retirement plan, health insurance plan, vacation plan, personal leave, or other similar benefits.
B. Hours
It is anticipated that the duties and responsibilities of the Dir. of Music will require approximately 15-17 hours of work per week with more during the program year and fewer during the summer months.
C. Employed by
First Congregational Church, U.C.C. Sheboygan. Programmatically responsible to the Deacons of Worship & Arts. Supervised by Pastor Jim Hollister.
IV. Background and Performance Requirements:
Education - The Director should have a minimum of a Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience. In addition he/she should be willing to participate in ongoing music education.
Experience – Experience in vocal music conducting is a requirement. Additional experience with handbells is optimal. The Director should have music leadership experience within a church. Ideally, the Director will have experience with supervising others as well.
Competencies and skills - The Director should be a person of faith. The Director will have a diverse musical background and a willingness to express it and motivate diversity of music from others. The Director will bring to the job both musical talent and musical knowledge including music history, varied church music and secular music.
Personal characteristics - To be successful, the Director must have leadership skills in addition to being flexible, innovative, and a risk-taker. Other important characteristics include:
Interested in lifelong church music learning and bringing new musical experiences to FCC.
Strong organizational skills
Teacher of others
Goal-oriented
High energy, enthusiastic
Team player and builder
Bridge builder
Good communication skills especially listening
Effective recruiter (especially volunteers)
Problem solver
Confident, patient, resilient, optimistic, persistent and positive.
V. Personnel Policies
Employment is subject to the personnel policies established by the most current version of the personnel handbook. However, the personnel policies are not to be construed as an employment contract. Final interpretation and implementation of any of the policies in the personnel handbook are vested solely with the church.
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