Organist/Director of Music Ministries (Fort Worth, TX)

Date Posted: 
May 16, 2018
Job Description: 

Job Title: Organist/Director of Music Ministries
Organization Name: St. Stephen Presbyterian Church
Organization Website: www.ststephenpresbyterian.com
Salary Range (optional):
Job Description:

Greetings in the name of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, an intentionally inclusive PCUSA
congregation with a strong sacred music tradition, seeks a fulltime (F/T)
Organist and Director of Music Ministries. Our 425-member church, located
near Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, has a music program
that encompasses an adult choir with four choral scholars, a children’s
choir, both an adult and a children’s bell choir, a respected concert
series, and an extensive music library. The cathedral-like sanctuary
features a Garland Organ (4 manuals, 6 divisions, 77 ranks of pipes). Our
sanctuary also features a Bösendorfer Imperial Grand Piano. As a liturgical
church with a committed choir, we also offer Evensong, Vespers, and other
services.

We seek an energetic, imaginative musician to build upon our present program
and lead it into new directions. The Organist and Director of Music
Ministries is responsible for all aspects of the music program, including
preparing all choirs, and serving as primary organist and choirmaster. The
position is responsible for all music planning (in conjunction with the
pastor) and plays a key role in growing the music program, including
recruitment, communications, and development of music programming for
children and youth.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong musical, administrative, and
choral leadership skills; comfort with people of all ages and walks of life;
an ability to work well with the pastor and other staff as part of a
collaborative team; good communication skills; a spirit of cooperation in
working with other community music programs and organizations; and a
commitment to St. Stephen’s values of service to Jesus Christ, reasoned
faith, inclusiveness, and mission to the community.

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in music; Master’s degree in music preferred or
equivalent experience
Strong proficiency in organ and piano, choral direction skills, including
direction from a console
Experience in congregational music leadership

Compensation
St. Stephen offers a competitive compensation package, including:
•       Full-time salary
•       Full benefits and pension plan with the PCUSA
•       Four weeks annual vacation
•       Two weeks Continuing Education leave with allowance

Applications
Interested applicants must submit all application materials electronically
(including cover letter, resume, references, and sample recordings of organ
and/or choral performances) to:
•       search@ststephenpresbyterian.com

In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Frederick Field “Fritz” Ritsch, Pastor

Title:  Organist and Director of Music Ministries
Closing date:   July 1 or until the position is filled
Reports to:     Pastor
Start date:     September 1, 2018 (Negotiable)
Directly supervises:    Choirs, choral scholars, and instrumentalists
Status: Full-time
FLSA:   Exempt
Compensation:   Salary range of $45,000 to $60,000 plus benefits

Job Summary
The Organist and Director of Music Ministries leads St. Stephen’s music
ministries; directs all music for parish worship and events; serves as
primary organist and choirmaster.

Qualifications and Requirements:
●       Demonstrate a clear sense of calling to ministry through music and serve
as a spiritual leader to those who work under his/her leadership
●       Possess an ability to blend music and liturgy carefully together
●       Experience as director of professional singers and volunteer choirs and
familiarity with a wide range of choral repertoire
●       Advanced degree preferred in church music, organ performance, and/or
conducting, or equivalent experience
●       Excellent supervisory, communication, and organizational skills
●       Ability to work collegially with staff members and volunteers in a
cooperative and creative work environment
●       High proficiency in organ performance, score-reading, improvisation, and
conducting from the console.
●       Ability to take initiative and leadership in building and promoting the
whole music program, guided by the history, theology, and practice of St.
Stephen Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

Essential Functions:
Supervise choirs, including conducting, educating, mentoring, and recruiting
●       Direct St. Stephen’s Sanctuary Choir (adult choir), Handbell Choir, and
Children’s Choir (Current pattern: During the academic year, all choirs
rehearse weekly; choirs sing on Sunday.  During the summer, the Sanctuary
Choir sings on selected Sundays, with a reduced rehearsal schedule.)
●       Grow the choirs through recruitment and programming
●       Educate the choirs about the liturgical and musical significance of the
music
●       Be sensitive to pastoral needs of choir members and their families, and
inform clergy of crucial concerns
●       Conduct choirs for special services beyond Sunday morning, as needed
●       Develop new music programming for children and youth

Play organ during the church’s liturgies and special events
●       Play for Sunday 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM services (reduced to one service
during the summer), Thursday 7:00 AM prayers, and special events/services
●       Play for occasional weddings and memorial services, for which there is
additional compensation
●       Perform periodic organ recitals

Take an active role in liturgical planning
●       Work with pastor and staff to plan services appropriate to the lectionary
and the season of the church year
●       Advise pastor on hymn selections and other music for Sunday services
●       Be intentional about teaching new hymns and service music to the
congregation
●       Assist the pastor and staff in creative design of new services and
liturgies
●       Learn and implement Presbyterian Church U.S.A. theology and practice of
worship

Be visible in the larger life of the congregation and the wider community
●       Build relationships with congregation, volunteers, choir members,
parents, and choral scholars
●       Facilitate the education of the congregation in music by means of writing
in the parish communications, including website and social media
●       Be active in local AGO chapter and the Presbyterian Association of
Musicians (PAM)
●       Foster relationships and develop joint music programming with Texas
Christian University (TCU), and other local colleges, and area congregations
when possible
●       Explore means to engage in mission outreach through music

Oversee administrative aspects of the music program
●       Select choral scholars and instrumentalists, and coordinate their
contracts and payment
●       Supervise all music program staff and volunteers
●       Coordinate maintenance and repairs of the church’s musical instruments
(pipe organ, pianos, tower bells, and handbells) and supporting technology,
in conjunction with appropriate church committees
●       Advertise and promote music events at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church
●       Oversee church music library

Oversee financial aspects of the church’s music program
●       Develop and propose budget to Worship Committee; administer approved
budget
●       Authorize expenditures for music ministry purchases
●       Approve and submit monthly payroll for choral scholars
●       Serve as staff coordinator for any music fundraising activities

Oversee the St. Stephen Special Series
●       Plan the programming and scheduling of special music events, including
but not limited to recitals, concerts, and special services
●       Plan and coordinate communications and marketing of Special Series events
●       Coordinate with the Special Music Fund Committee regarding expenditure
requests
●       Supervise events and staffing of events in accordance with the St.
Stephen Presbyterian Church Building Use Policy

Other
St. Stephen Presbyterian Church is an intentionally inclusive community of
believers; we welcome all who seek God through greater knowledge of Jesus
Christ.  The Organist and Director of Music Ministries will abide by various
parish and Presbytery policies.  St. Stephen Presbyterian Church is an equal
opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any person on the
basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran’s status,
national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or any other status or
condition protected by law.

Contact Email: search@ststephenpresbyterian.com