Cantor/Director of Music Ministries (Poughkeepsie, NY)

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Poughkeepsie, NY is seeking a Cantor to begin in Summer 2024 or a mutually agreed upon date. This is a three-quarter time position. Salary is commensurate with education and experience in the range of $35,000 to $50,000, an additional $5,000 contribution toward health insurance, and a continuing education and workshop fund of $1,600.

The position includes four weeks of paid vacation annually, including four Sundays, along with three weeks of paid continuing education, including three Sundays. St. John’s Cantor is responsible for developing, coordinating, and supervising the entire musical program of the congregation, as well as serving as an ambassador for the congregation to the wider community.

The successful candidate will be a skilled organist and a hard-working, dedicated professional. The music program at St. John’s receives substantial support from the congregation, and there is great potential to develop new programs and ensembles to support worship. St. John’s is also an important center for sacred music in Poughkeepsie and the wider Hudson Valley, and opportunities for musical outreach and community participation are abundant. 

St. John’s serves as a frequent host for American Guild of Organist (AGO) events, the regional BachFest, the Youth Handbell Festival, and is home to the Capella Festiva children’s choir. Historically, the Cantor has closely collaborated with local musical groups, and the successful candidate would have the ability to work with musicians and music programs at Bard College, Vassar College, and Marist College, as well as others. A short train ride from New York City’s musical scene, this position offers an excellent opportunity for leading high-quality liturgical worship and for professional and spiritual growth.

Responsibilities:

• Prepares, rehearses, and musically leads traditional Sunday worship (10:30am) and all other scheduled liturgies (Holy Week, Advent, Festival of Lessons & Carols, etc)
• Directs all choirs and ensembles of the congregation, including: - Adult Choir - Handbell Choir (5-octaves) - Handbell Ensemble - Recorder Ensemble
• Determines the scheduling of ensembles, soloists, and instrumentalists, as well as their preparation. • Coordinates with and maintains 2 professional vocal section leaders (soprano & bass)
• Hires and manages all paid soloists for special Sundays (Reformation Sunday, Christ the King Sunday, Christmas Eve, Easter, Pentecost), including arranging their compensation with the Worship & Music Mission Team.
• Identifies a suitable substitute musician when they are absent for vacation or continuing education, including briefing the substitute on all worship details and arranging payment of their fee with the Financial Administrator.
• Serves as coordinator for Worship & Music Mission Team to schedule and manage special musical events and concerts throughout the year.
• Encourages and facilitates participation by broad and diverse groups of church members in the music ministries of St. John’s.
• Oversees the scheduling of volunteer worship planners, music librarians, and other volunteers and facilitates completion of their work.
• Secures usage and streaming rights for music used in worship and reports it to copyright holders in a timely and accurate manner.
• Manages the material resources of the music program, including budget preparation, music library, and management and the care of the church’s instruments.
• Provide musical resources for weddings and funerals of members of the congregation as per the provisions of congregational policies, and for non-members as determined in consultation with the Senior Pastor.
• Reviews proposed scheduling of all music-related activities utilizing St John’s facilities, instruments, and human resources, and gives approval in conjunction with the Director of Lay Ministries and Senior Pastor.
• Coordinates with Contemporary Music Director to ensure support for all contemporary musical offerings.
• Attend staff meetings and Worship & Music Ministries meetings. Minimum Qualifications and Competencies • Bachelor’s degree in music, church music or organ and 3-5 years of professional experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Lutheran theology and Lutheran liturgical practice.
• Experience in planning and executing varied and creative forms of musical expression within the context of liturgical worship.
• Experience in directing choirs of all ages, including a bell choir or willingness to learn and teach.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with balancing administrative and creative work.
• Self-starter who works well independently, with ability to take direction from supervisor, and willingness to delegate to committee members and volunteers.
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with people at all levels and ages within and beyond the church community.
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with the Senior Pastor, the other professionals on staff, congregational leaders, and ensemble members.

Instruments Sanctuary:

• Casavant Frères – Opus 3780 (1999); 2 manual, 21 ranks, 23 stops
• Steinway C – on main floor (on loan from Vassar College)
• Yamaha NU1 Hybrid Digital Piano (balcony)

Other Instruments:

• Yamaha upright (choir room)
• Yamaha upright (chapel)
• Yamaha Clavinona Digital (fellowship hall)
• x4 Timpani – Yamaha (balcony) Handbells
• 5 octaves Schulmerich handbells
• 3 octaves Malmark handchimes

Links to Sample Worship Services at St. John’s

• Worship Service, October 1, 2023
• Festival of Lessons & Carols, December 2023
• Easter Sunday, 2024  

Interested Applicants Should Provide

• Cover Letter
• Current Resume
• Links or files to 2-3 recordings of your playing including a possible prelude/postlude, choral anthem or hymn, or selection of liturgical service music (video recordings are preferred, if possible, but not mandatory)