Music Director

The Presbyterian Church in Canada; Golden Horseshoe; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham Presbyterian Church in West Grey, Ontario, is seeking a Music Director to bridge our cherished heritage with contemporary worship, leveraging local musical talent to enrich our congregation.

You will lead rehearsals for the choir and contemporary ensembles, design worship experiences, and collaborate with the A/V team to ensure exceptional sound and worship flow. A passion for ministry through music and flexible leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Proficient keyboard playing with ability to read chord charts.
• Strong vocal direction for both choir and contemporary groups.
• Experience in liturgical context or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Worship planning with the Minister to blend traditional hymns with contemporary worship.
• Recruit and nurture local musical talent and assemble volunteer ensembles.
• Direct rehearsals for Choir, Praise Team, and instrumentalists with clear leadership.
• Collaborate with A/V team to ensure high-quality live music.

Skills

Keyboard skills

Vocal skills

Direct choral & ensembles

Liturgical worship experience

Reliable transportation

Job description

Durham Presbyterian Church is a vibrant, growing Presbyterian church in West Grey, Ontario. At Durham Presbyterian Church, our mission is to walk “Forward In Faith”, sharing God’s love within our church and community with care, service, compassion and love. We welcome everyone with the love of Jesus, creating opportunities and space to grow with God and with each other.

We are looking for a Music Director who can build a bridge between our cherished heritage and the exciting sounds of contemporary worship, utilizing the diverse talent God has placed in our community.

Core Responsibilities:

• Worship Planning: Collaborate with the Minister to design engaging worship services that flow seamlessly, blending traditional hymns with contemporary worship music.
• Community Cultivation: Identify, recruit, and nurture local talent. We want someone who will find the farmer who plays banjo, the high school kid with a killer voice, and the retired music teacher who loves gospel piano—and bring them together.
• Direction: Lead rehearsals for the Choir, Praise Team, and instrumentalists, providing clear direction while remaining flexible to the unique skills of volunteer musicians.
• Technology: Work with our A/V team to integrate live music effectively, ensuring the sound quality matches the excellence of the performance.

Attributes we are looking for:

• Versatility: You understand the structure of a traditional liturgy and the energy of contemporary gospel music.
• Connection: You have a knack for finding talent in unexpected places. You enjoy mentoring beginners and challenging seasoned pros.
• Innovation: You see tradition not as a museum piece, but as a living river. You know how to make “Amazing Grace” feel brand new without losing its soul.
• Collaboration: You understand the unique polity of the Presbyterian Church and are eager to work collaboratively with staff and session (elders).
• Spiritually Grounded: You view music not as performance, but as an act of worship and understand the importance of music in creating a space to encounter God.

Requirements:

• Excellent Keyboard skills, with the ability to read chord charts and improvise.
• Strong vocal skills and the ability to direct choral and contemporary ensembles.
• Experience in a liturgical worship setting (or a willingness to learn).
• Reliable transportation (rural setting).

Preferred (But Not Required):

• Experience with guitar, bass, or folk instruments.
• Familiarity with “The Book of Praise” (Blue Presbyterian hymnal)
• Audio/visual experience.

We can’t wait to hear how God is leading you to make a joyful noise unto the Lord!