Description
Reports to: Senior Minister
Hours: 28 hours per week (on average), salaried. Sunday mornings, Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings required; other work hours are flexible. The Music Director’s presence for three Christmas Eve services, Holy Week services, and other special services (including occasional memorials and weddings) is expected with coordinated scheduling.
Benefits: Health insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, PFML, worker’s comp
Job Summary: The Music Program of Fauntleroy Church greatly enhances our worship services, bringing joy, connection and a sense of the Divine’s movement among us. The part time Music Director does this not only with dedication to their craft, but also by working closely, collaboratively and creatively with others. With the pastors, the Music Director works to tie music to the thematic vision for each worship service. With the music program volunteers, they work to nurture vocal and instrumental gifts and interests, serving as a catalyst for shared musical beauty to emerge and grow.
While “Music Director” positions vary from church to church, at Fauntleroy Church, the Music Director is expected to exhibit strong leadership skills in providing choral direction for the non-audition choir, strategic planning, guidance to a piano accompanist, and development of choral ensembles, bell choir and youth music.
The Music Director should have an appreciation for a wide range of sacred and secular music, encompassing the genres of classical, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, rock, pop, reggae, R&B and others. We appreciate occasionally “spicing things up” with a musical surprise or something out of the ordinary utilized in a powerful, new way.
It is important that our Music Director knows how to lean on volunteers, feel comfortable both bringing energy and following energy, and in general, work to maximize potential in the music program.
The Music Director should understand (or have a willingness to learn) what worship is, how music enhances and makes it possible, and how performance within worship prioritizes attention to the Divine over attention to the performers.
Requirements
Required Skills:
1. Direction and leadership of the music program of Fauntleroy Church
Supports the beliefs and mission of Fauntleroy Church, seeking ways for the music program to complement our theologically liberal and progressive beliefs.
Conducts weekly church choir and ensemble rehearsals
Continually seeks to develop the choir, soloists and ensembles
Approaches schedule demands strategically and cooperatively, navigating availability of singers/instrumentalists, and what will best support the plans and wider vision of worship seasons and services
Promotes the music program in verbal and written communication
Develops strategies to identify, encourage, and utilize individual talents in the
worship life of the church
Discipline in planning well in advance and monitoring the ebb and flow of the position is necessary in honoring your 28 hours per week.
Receptivity to the pastors in their roles as “theologians in residence;” listening when requests are made to change lyrics or avoiding certain songs is expected.
Responsible for all administrative duties connected to the music program
whether carried out in person or delegated to music program volunteers
Comfort in sharing your opinion when you feel an idea won’t work or will be too challenging is appreciated and necessary as an expert in the musical field.
The Music Director must be willing to have careful conversations with vocalists and instrumentalists when their skills aren’t where we need them to be, seeking to help as possible and redirect the choir, soloists, and ensembles
Reviews and purchases new music within the bounds of the music budget and copyright licensing for online streaming
Respect for intellectual property and copyright law, including a willingness to learn and use our reporting systems and citation practices is expected.
Recruits music participants from both inside and outside the church
2. Assigned Duties:
Attends weekly staff meetings on Wednesday mornings
Collaborates with ministers in the selection and performance of music
Serves as one of two staff liaisons (the Senior Minister being the other) to the
Worship Ministry that meets monthly and provides music reports/updates at
meetings
Ensures coordination of music for weddings, funerals and other special services and events. The Music Director has first right-of-refusal for these additional earned income opportunities.
Puts together several music-focused services, including the annual Christmas concert
Arranges for music leadership during vacations and other absences
Ensures good repair and tuning of all pianos in church (and other musical
instruments as needed)
Maintains professional competency by practicing, performing, attending
continuing education opportunities, teaching workshops or seminars, and reading
professional journals
Maintains the music library of the church in collaboration with volunteers
Works to revitalize the adult bell choir and children’s rainbow bells
Cultivates relationships with other church and music programs in Seattle
In medium-sized churches such as ours, every staff member engages “generalist” duties from time to time, either through unexpected surprises or as we seek to cover each other’s backs
Desired Skills:
Ability to play both piano and guitar (though we also plan to hire an accompanist)
Ability to play ukulele or other instruments a plus
Skilled in rescoring music to best suit abilities and ranges
Enthusiasm for working with all ages, helping our youngest through our oldest to embrace and develop their musical gifts
Patience for working with volunteers, shifting participation, differences of vision, and a wide range of musical talent
Willing and able to set-up, take-down and adjust musical equipment and sound equipment
A sense of adventure, wonder, openness and excitement for possibilities
Background Requirements:
A background check is required. Abuse prevention training and other trainings may be required as well.
Please read this document thoroughly before applying on or before December 31, 2024. The Music Director position opening begins June, 2025.
TO APPLY: Submit a resume & cover letter to MusicDirectorSearch@FauntleroyUCC.org. If available, please include links to a video of you directing a choir.
