Reports To: Senior Pastor
Status: Full-Time
Job Summary:
The First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury seeks a passionate and skilled Music Director to lead and grow the church's music ministry. This full-time position requires a dedicated musician with a deep appreciation for sacred music who can inspire worship through diverse musical expressions, direct choirs and instrumental ensembles, and collaborate with church leadership to enhance worship services.
Essential Functions:
- Worship Leadership: Plan and lead music for all worship services, including Sunday services, special services (e.g., Christmas Eve, Easter, Holy Week), and other church events that will appeal to all ages of the congregation.
- Choir Direction: Direct and rehearse the adult choir, children's choir, and any other vocal or instrumental ensembles as able.
- Instrumental Leadership: Play the organ and/or piano during worship services and work with instrumentalists as needed.
- Supervise Music Team: Supervise auxiliary choir directors for those choirs and ensembles not directed by the Music Director themselves.
- Collaboration: Work closely with the pastor, worship committee, church leaders and other choir leaders to integrate music into the spiritual life of the congregation.
- Communication: Interact with church leaders and congregation to keep in touch with their preferences and interests.
Other Responsibilities:
- Congregational Engagement: Understand the congregation to be a choir itself, and lead the congregation during worship to drive engagement with music.
- Administrative Duties: Manage the music budget, maintain the church's musical instruments, and coordinate scheduling for rehearsals and performances.
- Music Program Development: Expand and enrich the church's music ministry by recruiting and mentoring musicians of all ages.
- Community Engagement: Foster relationships within the congregation and the broader community to enhance participation in the church's music programs.
Core Competencies:
- Mission & Vision Alignment: uphold the church's mission and support its values, so that the staff works together to meet goals and further the ministry.
- Leadership: provide consistent, strong, strategic leadership and team-building skills among various musical groups and alongside staff.
- Joy: embody a spirit of joyful participation, eagerness and excitement for the work, programs, and ministry of the church.
- Excellence: Excellent musicianship and performance ability, strives to give the best in service to the congregation and in honor to God.
- Communication: effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Creativity: creative in developing worship music programs, flexible and adaptable to various music styles and traditions.
- Organized: strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Professionalism: each member of the staff represents the church in a professional manner
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in music, sacred music, or a related field
- Proficiency in organ and piano performance preferred.
- Experience directing choirs and instrumental ensembles.
- Strong knowledge of sacred and liturgical music across various styles and traditions.
- Ability to work collaboratively with clergy, staff, and congregation members.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Commitment to the mission and values of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in church music ministry.
- Familiarity with Presbyterian worship traditions.
- Ability to compose, arrange, or adapt music for worship settings.
- Possess a broad network of contacts and resources to fill any performer vacancies and hire guest performers as needed.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Salary commensurate with experience.
- Benefits package including vacation, sick leave, and professional development opportunities.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and (if available) a sample of recorded performance or worship leadership to: personneladministration@cranburypres.org Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $50,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
