Music Director (Rockville, MD)

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Rockville United Church
355 Linthicum Street
Rockville, MD 20851

Who We Are

We believe in a God who calls us to justice, compassion, and service; to loving each other and the Earth. RUC is a busy, progressive, theologically-diverse, and informal community. We volunteer, march, build houses, garden, and engage with neighbors near and far. We’re known for founding Community Ministries of Rockville, now 50 years-strong. We fly a rainbow flag and welcome all who are committed to welcoming and celebrating the beautiful diversity within our community. On a typical Sunday, about 100 people of all ages attend, including a growing number of families with young children. The congregation sings a variety of music from two hymnals and the bulletin. We’re supported by piano, a few other instruments, and, alas, a failing organ. Our choir of about 20 skilled vocalists is a major part of worship; it sings accompanied and a cappella. We strive for worship that tells our stories creatively in vibrant, honest, and participatory ways. Almost always, worship touches our hearts and stirs our minds. At its best, it is a seamless, electrifying whole comprising words and music that draws others to us.

Who We Are Looking For

We seek a part-time Music Director to lead an exciting musical journey for a church where worship is the center of our lives together. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate the following skills and characteristics:

1. Experience as a leader of choirs or other musical groups, both accompanied and a capella and including the ability to invite participation, organize schedules, and plan repertoire.

2. Appreciation of the importance of music in worship and interest in strengthening that role.

3. Appreciation for diverse and spirited sacred music; willingness to play music from varied traditions; stylistic versatility; and skill in altering music to ensure its language is inclusive and expansive.

4. Strong keyboard skills, along with the ability to improvise and to direct from the keyboard. Ability to transpose music a plus. RUC has an aging hybrid electronic/pipe organ that needs repair, which we may or may not replace in the future.

5. A team player, able to offer creative input in worship planning as well as receive the gifts of others.

6. Flexibility and grace; patience and a sense of humor.

Responsibilities

The Music Director is a part-time position (up to 20 hours per week). We’ll negotiate hourly wage, based on qualifications and experience. Responsibilities include:
1. Preparing and leading music for worship at weekly and 5-7 special services per year; directing the choir and its rehearsals once or twice weekly.
2. Collaborating with the Pastor and the Worship and Music Committee (WAM) to design worship services that are a mix of authentic, inspirational, emotional, responsive to the news of the day, and playful.
3. Providing opportunities to engage children and youth in the joys of singing together.
4. Participating with the staff team at RUC – including the Pastor and Minister of Faith Formation – and also with WAM, and with other bodies of RUC who are invited to create worship experiences.
5. Co-administering, with the Chair of WAM, the organizational details related to music: communication of programs, budgeting for the year, hiring bonus and substitute musicians, purchasing music, organizing the music library, maintaining instruments, etc.
6. When possible, providing music for weddings, ordinations, memorial services, and funerals, for additional compensation.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume, with a cover letter, to Scott Winnette at scott@rockvilleunitedchurch.org, with “Music Search Committee” in the subject line. Our application deadline is January 15, 2019.

You can see our sanctuary and learn much more about us, including what it means to be a “united” church that’s affiliated with two protestant denominations, at https://www.rockvilleunitedchurch.org/.

Contact Email: scott@rockvilleunitedchurch.org