Director of Music Ministries (Metuchen, NJ)

To apply, please send us your resume and cover letter, including links to two (2) video recordings of your performances featuring piano and/or organ repertoire solos,         as well as one (1) video recording of you playing a hymn.

If available, also include a link to a video recording of you conducting a choir.

Please email all materials to: personnel@fpcweb.org

First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen

Director of Music Ministries

Reports To:           Senior Pastor/Head of Staff

Classification:  FT

Accountable To:  Worship and Music Commission                              

                                Personnel Commission

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Position Summary:

The Director of Music Ministries is responsible for enhancing and supporting worship services and special event themes and messages through vocal and instrumental music. S/he leads and directs multiple youth and adult vocal and bell choirs, working closely with the pastoral staff and Director of Christian Education (CE); supports care to members of the church music program and their families in coordination with the Senior Pastor; and works closely with the rest of the church staff and Worship and Music Commission to implement music ministries that express God’s love while developing and implementing music education for members of the church and community.

Essential Duties and
Responsibilities:

Worship Music (20%) and Choir Leadership (40%)

• Plan, organize and lead the church’s music ministry; communicate and integrate with other ministries of the church, in close coordination with the Senior Pastor and Director of CE
• Provide inspiring and motivational music, engaging congregants of all generations
• Attend weekly worship planning meeting with the Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor and advise them on worship music that supports the message of the sermon. 
• Prepare, practice and play the piano (and ideally organ) throughout the year for worship services and special events, including Easter season, Christmas season, Vacation Bible School, weddings, funerals and special concerts, consulting with families for special services
• Train, direct, and conduct for the various components of the music programs, including all children, youth, and adult choral choirs, as well as bell choirs
• Organize rehearsals as needed for the teaching, coaching, and mentoring of interested members, to build their musical talents as well as their spiritual development
• Promote fellowship within and help recruit new participants into the music ministry
• Encourage and train youth in assuming music leadership and planning responsibilities, further developing their faith and church community
• Advise Senior Pastor of choir pastoral care needs, community outreach, music activities
• Advise/coordinate with Senior Pastor and, where appropriate, the Chair of the Worship and Music Commission, music ministries calendar, music budget needs, and program planning
• Pursue additional training and study of new musical compositions, conducting techniques
• Network with Music Ministers and educators throughout the Presbytery of the Coastlands and the Synod of the Northeast
• Attend meetings, concerts and conferences of related professional organizations

Additional Musical Programming and Community Outreach (25%)

• Share leadership, planning, and musical direction for the Advent and Christmas programming (usually a pageant) every December
• Develop and coordinate Lenten musical programs including weekday concerts as well as Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday evening services and multiple Easter Sunday services
• Share leadership, program development, and provide daily musical leadership and support for the Vacation Bible School week each summer, in coordination with staff and volunteers
• Provide music for miscellaneous mid-year events, healing services and vigils 

Music Ministry Management and Administration (15%)

• Supervise and support the work of the Assistant Bell Director/Accompanist (part time) and the Indonesian Worship Musician (part-time)
• Schedule and supervise (substitute) organist and as needed
• Coordinate with Building & Grounds staff as needed for setups etc
• Recruit and motivate volunteers as needed to support the church music ministries
• Oversee the orderly maintenance of the church music library and a database of hymns, praise music and anthems used in worship
• Research and acquire for the Church the music, equipment and supplies required to perform designated duties in accordance with budget
• Supervise maintenance of the organ, piano and other musical instruments, entrusting the work to qualified professionals
• Manage the music ministry budget and submit required reports, estimates and requests by specified deadlines in coordination with the Worship and Music Commission
• Generate communications about the music ministries of the church, and provide additional content to the Communications Coordinator and Office Manager to help inform the congregation, staff and local communities through external print and online media

Skills and Competencies
Required:

• A musician of the Christian faith with a strong, demonstrated commitment to fostering joy through music, who is enthusiastic and creative in music education and ministries.
• Strong music education, piano accompanying skills, and choral conductor training
• Organ skills desired
• Possesses a genuine empathy for all people, and capacity to relate with people of all generations, abilities, races, and gender identities in a sensitive, respectful way
• Strong influential leadership presence
• Effective and inspirational choir leader and musical coach
• Able to work effectively with the Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, congregation and staff
• Able to coordinate effective outreach to the community at large and demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of local and global ministries
• Very strong organizational skills, with the ability to follow through and to appropriately delegate tasks
• Good understanding of the church community and compassion for congregational needs
• Accessible and responsive to pastoral and other staff, church leaders and community members, a team player willing to adapt and pivot to coordinate with others’ needs
• Working knowledge of MS Office, databases, group emails, video conferencing

Education and
Experience Required:

Education: Bachelor’s degree desired, or equivalent related experience in a sacred music field

Years of Experience: Minimum requirement of three (3) years Music Ministry leadership experience in a Christian church, with experience in choir leadership and music accompanying techniques

Physical & Time Demands of Position:

This job operates in indoor and outdoor church campus environments. Some lifting and local travel will be required.  Work will be required every Sunday (other than vacations), as well as Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, multiple Easter services, and some other evening and special event mid-week worship services. Short notice may occur for unplanned life events.