Director of Music Ministries
Job Description
United Church of Fayetteville
310 E. Genesee Street
Fayetteville, NY 13066
robertc225.sg-host.com
Introduction and Purpose
God calls pastors, musicians, educators, deacon-elders and congregations to a shared ministry based on mutual caring and respect. Sharing our faith through music and other creative arts builds up our community, nurtures us in the faith, and helps us witness to what we believe. The Director of Music Ministries will lead people of all ages to share in musical experiences so that they may:
- grow in understanding the Christian faith and music’s role in that faith
- develop and strengthen their relationship with God to become faithful Christian disciples
- and enhance their musical gifts to glorify God in worship and in the mission of the church
Responsibilities
- Creatively coordinates the planning and implementation of the music ministry of the church. Coordinates all choirs and ensembles participating in worship, including the Senior Choir, Adult Handbell Choir, Joyful Sign Choir and other music volunteers of all ages.
- Chooses music appropriate to the scripture and theme of the service as chosen by the Pastor. Communicates the necessary information in a timely manner to the Administrative Assistant.
- Provides organ or piano music and directs music for the Sunday morning worship. Provides organ or piano music and directs music for additional services as scheduled including Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, and lead the choir(s) in the community Advent service and/or handbell concerts.
- Directs and accompanies the Senior Choir, Adult Handbell Choir in rehearsal and presentation of selected music. Leads choirs in choral or handbell techniques and appreciation of sacred music. Encourages, educates, and assists all musicians participating in worship. Rehearse once weekly (September – June).
- Coordinates and supports special musical and worship programs relating to the Church Year and other worship themes (e.g., Choral Service). Participates in the planning of musical outreach to include the wider community.
- Creates means for children and youth to develop their musical gifts and participate musically in worship (choral, instrumental).
- Selects and purchases music, worship and music supplies, and secures services of outside instrumentalists and soloists. Expenditures in this area are to be coordinated with the chair of the Worship and Spiritual Life Committee.
- Supervises the maintenance of all church-owned instruments, including the organ, pianos, and handbells. The Director of Music Ministries shall give prior approval for all guest organists and provide orientation regarding the use of the organ to guest organists.
- Participates in staff meetings, working to develop coordinated music ministries.
- Act as a resource to the Worship and Spiritual Life Committee, attends its meetings and assists in the preparation of the committee’s annual budget. Arranges for substitute musicians during time off. Makes available new resources and ideas for music and worship.
- Prepares information and communications about UCF’s music and worship for the congregation, including the newsletter. Provides publicity materials that call attention to UCF’s music program to the UCF volunteers.
- Provides music for all UCF weddings and funerals, requiring organ/piano music, held within the church (as available), being compensated as directed by the UCF Wedding and Funeral manuals.
- Provides a written annual report for the annual congregational meeting.
Professional Growth and Development
It is understood that this position is to be treated with the highest degree of professionalism. The Director of Music Ministries will plan a program of continuing education to enrich their personal and professional growth. Such a program may include reading, study, individual and group learning events, participation in professional events, denominational and ecumenical groups, and renewal of spiritual life. An annual budgeted amount will be provided for continuing education.
Skills and Qualifications
This person will be an accomplished musician who is committed to the Christian faith and who has:
- an interest and desire to communicate God’s word,
- an ability to call forth musical gifts of others,
- a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in music or church/sacred music, OR requisite skills and experience,
- a demonstrated skill and competency at the organ and piano, a working knowledge of other instruments, competency directing choirs utilizing a variety of musical styles,
- a demonstrated knowledge of the role and use of music in worship,
- an ability to recruit and work well with volunteers with understanding and humor,
- a demonstration of excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong time-management skills, organization, follow-through, and computer literacy.
- a demonstrated expertise in the use of current technology for musical recording.
Accountability and Evaluation
The Director of Music Ministries reports to the Pastor/Head of Staff. Performance evaluation is provided by the Pastor, the chair of the Worship and Spiritual Life Committee, and other individuals as determined by the Staff Support/Personnel Committee. An annual review of salary will be conducted by the Pastor and Staff Support/Personnel Committee.
Terms and Conditions of Service
The Director of Music Ministries is a part-time position (approximately 20 hours/week; salary, $20,500 ) of the church staff and appointed by the Staff Support/Personnel Committee in conjunction with the Worship and Spiritual Life Committee with the approval of the Church Board. The primary guide for performance in this position is this job description, supplemented by the UCF Employee Handbook. All other benefits are as set forth in the UCF Employee Handbook.
Approved: May 2021; November 2021