Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church

Music Director Job Description

Overview / Job Summary

With a vision for worship that speaks to all who gather, Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church (LBPC) seeks a Music Director with the breadth of experience and musical repertoire to work with the pastoral staff to create a rich, blended worship experience. We look forward to a variety of musical expressions, including a diversity of instruments, music from the sacred music tradition of the past as well as that which arises through contemporary artists, and the offering of gifts from those within this church and those beyond it.

To that end, we have welcomed college singers from West Chester University, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with college singers from area universities in a partnership that supports their artistic and spiritual development, while it supplements the capacity of our Senior Choir. LBPC also has an adult bell choir, children/youth choir, as well as church members who share their vocal and instrumental skills in solos or ensembles.

Over the past several years, worship has been enriched with Native American Flute and New Orleans Jazz, as well as music from the folk, gospel, and traditional sacred music catalogs.

The Music Director the congregation seeks will be instrumental in bringing to fruition this vision of worship which is fresh, meaningful, and thoughtfully planned each week. The Music Director will be responsible for: leading the Senior Choir and overseeing the other music groups in the church, coordinating the musical offerings for weekly worship from within and outside of the church, and implementing a program which brings college singers to the church. Ideally, the Music Director will be skilled in playing both the organ and piano in addition to choral direction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Train and maintain the adult choir which is known as our Senior Choir, and enlist new choir members;
Oversee and direct all other musical programing including the Children’s Choir, Bell Choir, and other appropriate individuals or groups for church music;
Consult with the Pastor regarding coordination of musical selections for all worship services, and be available to come to the Church office for said coordination;
Arrange for non-choir contributions, including congregants offering solos, duos, and ensembles; inviting outside musical groups to perform; and selecting appropriate “video anthems” from YouTube, CCLI, etc.;
Arrange for the continuing participation of musicians and singers from West Chester University, and expanding this aspect of our music program by inviting musicians/singers from other local colleges, universities and high schools;
Responsible for the selection, coordination, and direction of all music required at special services such as Maundy Thursday, Easter, Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service, and Christmas Eve;
Arrange for the tuning and maintenance of the organ and piano
Prepare an annual music budget to be submitted to the Finance & Administration Committee by October of each year;
Any organ and/or piano music required for weddings or funeral services shall normally be played by the Music Director, who shall receive an honorarium for such services.
Attend Monthly Staff Meeting;
Be proactive in bringing new ideas to the table insofar as our church’s musical program.

Relationships and Interactions

The Music Director will report to and be supervised by the LBPC Pastor. The Music Director will also be guided by and interact with the Worship Committee, the Personnel Committee, and is ultimately accountable to the Session. The Director will also have interaction with the Church Administrative Assistant and Communications Specialist.

Qualifications, Skills, and Characteristics

This position requires both choral directing and organ/pianist skills. The director should have a musical degree, a knowledge of choral church music, and an ability to teach choral skills to both adults and children. The director should be familiar with a wide range of music that would be appropriate in a church setting. The personality best suited to this position would be dynamic, energetic, working well with others, and willing to think outside the box insofar as expanding and enhancing our musical programs.

Schedule and Compensation

This position will require on average 15 to 20 hours per week with an expectation that hours will ebb and flow as the church seasons require. It is anticipated that some of the work will require being present at the church, including planning with the pastor, overseeing senior and junior choir practice, and attending monthly staff meetings. A portion of the work will be able to be performed remotely on one’s own.

Salary commensurate with experience, $25,000 - $30,000. Benefits not included.

Start date: To be determined.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $25,000.00 - $30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Flexible schedule

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Wilmington, DE 19807

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