Church Music Director

The music director coordinates all of the details of the worship experience, as well as oversees the worship/music team(s) of the Church. The role is responsible for developing, coordinating, and coaching musical staff and volunteers, through leading and general oversight of the Church’s praise team, choir(s), instrumentalists, and any other expressions of music. The role will generate an atmosphere of celebration and reverence to God through music for all worship services. The music director is to be a visionary who is creative in cultivating a life-giving, passionate, culture of worship that leads people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences, into becoming a lifelong follower of Jesus and inspires others to live the gospel. They are to be a committed disciple of Jesus Christ, seeking to know, love and serve God and neighbor, while also dedicated to continual spiritual growth.

Skills, Education, and Experience Required:

• Skills
  
  • Quality singing voice
  • Ability to read music and play it on an instrument
  • Ability to lead, inspire, and engage the congregation during the worship experience
  • Able to lead praise team practice, choir rehearsal and other musical ensembles
  • Understand and appreciate the full range of musical styles: traditional, contemporary, etc.
  • Ability to develop, train and coach others to provide a sustainable music ministry.
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills required to effectively collaborate with the church staff, volunteers and other members of the music ministry.
    
  Education and Experience
  
  • Bachelor’s degree in a worship degree or music discipline from an accredited college, university or seminary; or equivalent music ministry experience, earned through volunteer service or internship.
  • Experience as a worship leader, directing praise teams, choirs, and a variety of musical ensembles
  • Experience working with youth, young adults and older adults with a diversity of musical gifts and talents.
  • Several years’ experience in Church worship/music ministry, including leading worship, production, and worship planning.
  • Experience in audio/visual, lighting, and computer technology that enhances the worship experience.
  • Familiarity with modern Christian music as well as more traditional styles of sacred music in a blended worship format

Job Responsibilities:

• • Maintains and inspires an environment where new musical talents of all ages are encouraged and trained.To achieve this, the director of music will focus on working with children, adolescents/youth, young adults and adults, and develop a workplan that can meet the needs of each of these groups through the formation of choirs and praise teams that can serve during praise and worship as determined by the director of music in coordination with the pastoral team.
  • Worship Leader
    • Supports and promotes the shared vision for worship music at Forest City SDA Church
    • Plans and directs praise and worship services for the Church.
    • Serves as worship leader during praise and worship.
    • Responsible for weekly rehearsals and ensuring effective preparedness within the praise team, holding periodic meetings for evaluation and planning.
    • Help bridge generational/cultural differences by selecting a balance of musical styles for every service which will, as a whole, have multi-generational appeal, and by briefly presenting spiritual context of all music to the congregation in terms through which all generational and cultural perspectives can understand, relate and connect with God.
  • Music Department Leader
    • Plan, organize and lead the music ministry
    • Work with the Pastoral Team, Council of Elders and Church Board to determine and evaluate the overall direction of music ministries that will serve to encourage the spiritual development of the church body and the enhancement of worship in music.
    • Recruitment and oversight of volunteer soloists, choir members and instrumentalists, enlisting and utilizing the talents available within the local church first, for participation in the music ministry.
    • Maintain effective communications with the Senior Pastor, Pastoral Team, and Council of Elders
    • In the case of any special music-related event, concert or musical guest, the director of music will be responsible for evaluating and recommending if said event or guest should appear in the Church, subject to the discretion of the Pastoral Team and, where necessary, the Council of Elders.
    • Develops, conducts, and coordinates special training programs for volunteers, and others involved in the music ministries of the church, for the purpose of teaching and coaching, as well as developing leadership in the music ministry.
    • Promote fellowship within and help recruit new volunteers into the music ministry
    • Lead and direct the various components of the music ministry and its programs, including:
      • Praise Team singers along with Special Music
      • Accompanying instrumentalists
      • Bands with a variety of instruments, traditional and contemporary
      • Youth Choir (working in association with Youth director)
      • Children’s Choir (working in association with Children’s director)
      • Adult Choir(s)
    • Include the various groups and talents of the music ministry as a regular part of worship, where it fits stylistically.
  • Music Planner
    • Work with Audio/Visual Department director for coordination of sound technicians, lighting technicians, video technicians, & media/projection technicians to enhance the worship experience.
    • Works with the pastoral team to plan music for evangelistic purposes and for special events of the church.
    • Consult with senior pastor regarding themes of regular services, special events, and programs for appropriate musical selection, e.g. Sabbath worship services, Easter and Christmas Programs, etc.
    • Collaborate with the senior pastor in establishing distinctively styled worship services.
    • Arrange for and prepare music components for special worship programs for Christmas, Easter services, which may vary
    • Participate in weekly or other scheduled meetings with the pastor and pastoral team for planning, coordination, and evaluation of worship sessions.
    • Implement logistical details and provide support and expertise for concerts, musicals and special evangelistic efforts that involve music and other technical areas of the church.
  • Music Administrator
    • Participate in the church’s annual budget for all music ministry requirements.
    • Prepare, present, and manage the music ministry budget and all budgetary matters related to this ministry through the Finance Committee.
    • Acquire the music, equipment, supplies and instruments required to perform designated duties
    • Oversee the orderly maintenance of the music library and database of music, praise music, and anthems used in worship
    • Strictly adhere to all Forest City Church policies and processes.
  • Out of scope – weddings, funeral services, and personal events.