Director of Traditional Music (Red Bank, NJ)

Tower Hill First Presbyterian Church (“Tower Hill Church”) is located in Red Bank, New Jersey.  Formed in 1852, Tower Hill Church has been a constant presence in the greater Red Bank area, welcoming all to come, worship, and advance the love and peace of God throughout the community and the world.  Tower Hill Church is a vibrant and growing church with a multi-generational congregation (800+) involved in a wide-range of ministries and mission opportunities.  Tower Hill Church is currently accepting resumes for the full-time position of Director of Traditional Music.

MISSION AND VISION OF TOWER HILL CHURCH

We believe that God, fundamentally, wants to bless people.  In fact, that’s what God has been trying to do since the beginning.  This blessing isn’t primarily about new cars or new houses or new circumstances … but about new life.  Jesus’ call to “come and follow me” is an open call for the world to find this life that only exists through a relationship with Him.  

We believe this is a big challenge.  The church of the 1950s and 1960s is over.  Millions of young people are growing up in a world where going to church is not the norm.  But we are not alarmed.  You see, we think God is bigger than that. Our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Our vision is to do this by becoming a church for all generations.

WORSHIP AND MUSIC AT TOWER HILL CHURCH

Music is so powerful — especially in the Church. When we sing it’s hard to focus on anything else. That’s why St. Augustine said that singing is like “praying twice.” Music is a gift and a huge part of what we do at Tower Hill Church, especially in worship.  We recognize, however, that people worship differently, and that’s why you will find a mix of worship styles at Tower Hill.  We offer traditional worship, which features our 40+ voice adult choir performing hymns, anthems, and special musical arrangements, accompanied by our beautiful 52-rank pipe organ playing through 3,000+ pipes.  Additionally, our handbell choirs are featured on a regular basis in the traditional worship service. We also offer a contemporary worship service featuring a Christian rock band that plays the latest worship songs from popular artists, video-led prayers, and sermon visuals. 

Even though we have both traditional and contemporary worship services, Tower Hill Church is one congregation.  All members of our church staff support and work in collaboration with each other, much like a family, to further the mission and vision of Tower Hill Church. 

MUSIC OPPORTUNTIES AT TOWER HILL CHURCH

We believe music is a gift from God and vital for worship and is fundamental to us as a congregation.  Accordingly, we offer an assortment of musical groups and styles for both adults and students in order to glorify the Lord through music:

·      TOWER HILL CHOIR: The adult choir provides inspiring musical leadership for our traditional worship services and for other services and special programs throughout the year. 

·      TOWER HILL CONCERT SERIES:  Inspiring audiences for four decades, the Tower Hill Concert Series offers a variety of musical groups and styles which attracts an audience from Tower Hill and the greater Red Bank area.

·      THE CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP BAND: This Christian rock group leads the music for our contemporary worship service and for other services and special programs throughout the year.  The band includes vocalists and instrumentalists. 

·      KIDS VOCAL CHOIR:  Kids in Grades 1-7 sing in worship about 5 times a year.

·      HANDBELL CHOIRS: Youth in Grades 3-12 ring in one of three handbell choirs during worship services throughout the year as well as off campus as part of our popular handbell tours.   

LEADERSHIP

Tower Hill Church is led by its Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jason Tucker, and members of the Session, its governing body.  The Director of Traditional Music reports directly to the Senior Pastor.

LOCATION AND CAMPUS 

Tower Hill Church, located in the town of Red Bank, is situated on ten acres atop one of the highest points in Monmouth County, due south of New York City.  The town is one of New Jersey’s most vibrant, often referred to as “a cool little town,” offering a lively community, good restaurants and amenities, with a diverse population. There are many local opportunities to enjoy the arts, including Red Bank’s own Count Basie Theatre and Center for the Arts and the Two River Theater, as well as the PNC Arts Center in nearby Holmdel and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center only 45 minutes away.  New York City and all that it has to offer are also a short bus, train, or ferry boat ride from the Red Bank area.

Red Bank is on the bank of the picturesque Navesink River, and the Jersey Shore is only a few miles away, so there are plenty of opportunities for great boating, fishing, and visiting beautiful and tranquil beaches.  Additionally, towns in the Red Bank area offer excellent schools and quiet family living.  Tower Hill Church draws its congregation from a large number of these surrounding towns, as well as Red Bank itself.  

The Tower Hill Church campus includes a large sanctuary, with wonderful acoustics, that has enjoyed a number of additions and renovations over the years.  Additionally, there are newly renovated spaces for our growing Next Gen Ministries programs and expanding Small Group Ministry.  Also, the campus includes a lovely chapel with a small organ and the Tower Hill School, a cooperative nursery school, which is a part of our Tower Hill family.    

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADITONAL MUSIC POSITION

The Director of Traditional Music (the “Director”) will provide leadership and development of traditional worship music programs that engage the congregation and help them foster a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.This is accomplished through a team-based approach, driven by the mission and vision of Tower Hill Church.  

In coordination with the pastors and our production team, the Director will provide weekly musical leadership for all traditional worship services, including but not limited to weekly hymn and anthem selection; weekly choir rehearsal and worship leading (including choral direction while accompanying the choir on the organ or piano); providing organ preludes and postludes; offering occasional introit/benediction selections; selecting and coordinating special music and instrumentalists when appropriate.  As well, the Director will be responsible for leading the youth handbell programs and supporting the youth choir programs.  

Additionally, the Director will oversee and provide direction for the Tower Hill Concert Team; will plan, coordinate, and direct the Tower Hill Christmas Concert, Liberty Extravaganza, and the Annual Handbell Concert; and will provide and oversee traditional wedding/funeral services as needed.

The Director will also be expected to develop a culture of collaboration with volunteers and staff, as well as to practice regular, effective, and timely communication with volunteers, church staff, and the congregation.  The Director will manage the traditional music budget as determined by Session and will oversee the proper maintenance and repair of the organ, pianos, and handbells.  

The specific job description and salary will be reviewed in more detail with candidates invited to interview for the position.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

·       Strong organ and keyboard skills and experience

·       Strong choral conducting skills and experience

·       Understanding of vocal pedagogy and voice development

·       Experience directing handbells

·       Experience directing small instrumental ensembles

·       Leadership experience with adults and children of all ages

·       Strong teamwork and conflict resolution skills

·      High emotional intelligence and people skills

·      Creative, energetic, and resourceful 

·      Excellent oral and written communication skills

·      Strong Christian faith

·      Minimum of B.A. or B.S. in Music or a related discipline  

Interested and well-qualified candidates should send a personal letter of interest and resume or CV to: musicsearch@towerhillchurch.org.  Please include your name in the subject line and your documents should be clearly titled with your first and last name in a PDF format.  Applications must be received by April 26, 2019.