Minister of Music (West Hartford, CT)
Job Title: Minister of Music
Organization Name: Westminster Presbyterian Church
Organization Website: www.westpresby.org
Salary Range (optional):
Job Description:
Minister of Music
¾-time (30 hours per week)
About Us:
Westminster Presbyterian Church (USA) is committed to living out our faith
through worship, learning, service, and by pursuing justice, reconciliation,
and wholeness for all people. Worship is the center of our life together, as
we celebrate God and God’s people in both inclusive and expansive ways.
Music plays a formative role in our community and musicians with diverse
skills and interests have served at Westminster Presbyterian over the years.
The Chancel Choir regularly offers music in worship and in the community. A
three-four octave handbell choir continues to meet, while children’s and
youth choirs have been active in the past. Additionally, musicians from
within the congregation regularly share their gifts in worship.
The church’s musical resources include a 12 rank Schlicker pipe organ
(1972) and a Steinway “L” baby grand piano in the Sanctuary, a 2 manual
Wicks pipe/digital organ in the Chapel, 5 octaves of Schulmerich handbells, 3
octave Malmark tone chimes, a substantial collection of percussion and Orff
instruments, and an extensive music library.
Position Description and Qualifications:
We seek a Minister of Music with the skills and sensitivity to serve as a
unifying and energizing presence, who will collaborate with Pastor, staff,
and lay leaders to shape worship that honors God, and inspire us to love and
serve others. We are especially interested in candidates who are able to
model, teach, and organize others, cultivating shared leadership rather than
serving as a solo leader.
Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate the following skills and
characteristics:
• Experience as a leader of choirs or other musical ensembles
• Appreciation of music’s role within Christian worship
• Strong keyboard skills (organ and piano) and the ability to direct from
the keyboard
• Willingness to incorporate prayer or theological reflection in
rehearsals, committee meetings, and worship
• Stylistic versatility and willingness to learn and play music from varied
traditions and styles
• Willingness to work with volunteers of varied ages and musical skills
• Strong communication skills, especially in relating to individuals from
varied backgrounds and experiences
• A completed Bachelor’s degree in music preferred but not required.
Responsibilities:
The Minister of Music is a ¾-time position (30 hours/week). Responsibilities
include:
• Planning and leading music for worship in collaboration with the pastor
for weekly 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services and special services including Ash
Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve
• Hiring, coordinating, and overseeing the music scholar program (3 paid
singers from nearby colleges/universities)
• Directing the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choirs, including a weekly
rehearsal and additional rehearsals, as needed
• Participating in planning for monthly LIFT services, an intergenerational
interactive worship format, and supporting opportunities for
intergenerational music-making
• Inviting and coordinating additional ensembles/musicians from the
congregation and commu-nity
• Facilitating the congregation’s singing through sensitive accompaniment
of hymns and service music, or by serving as a song leader/cantor
• Offering organ and piano music for Sunday morning worship services and
other special serv-ices throughout the year
• Overseeing the maintenance of instruments and music ministry-related
equipment, as well as the worship budget in collaboration with Worship and
Music chair
• Providing music for weddings and funerals, as negotiated
The position provides competitive salary based on experience, as well as:
• Three weeks of paid vacation time (including 3 Sundays)
• One week of continuing education/study leave and funds for professional
development;
• Office and rehearsal space within the church
• Sanctuary or other space available for teaching, performing, or sharing
artistic gifts with the congregation and community
• Option of paying into employer-sponsored retirement plan
• Option of health benefits
The application deadline is May 25, 2018. To apply, please submit:
• Cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position;
• Resume with two recent references;
• Supporting materials (links to recordings/videos) that demonstrate your
skills.
Application materials can be sent to the Search Committee Chair Arthur
Riihimaki, ariihimaki@me.com, with ‘Musician Search Committee’ in the
subject line.
It is the policy of Westminster Presbyterian Church to provide equal
employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color,
national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race,
religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or
expression, genetic in-formation, marital status, status with regard to
public assistance, veteran status, or any other charac-teristic protected by
federal, state or local law.
Contact Email: ariihimaki@me.com