Music Director – Port Elgin United Church

Choirs Ontario; Port Elgin; On-site; CAD 20,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A community-oriented church in Port Elgin is seeking a passionate Music Director to enhance worship experiences through diverse musical selections. Responsibilities include providing accompaniment, directing choirs, and fostering musical opportunities. Ideal candidates should demonstrate strong organizational skills and the ability to work collaboratively with church members. Apply to contribute to a meaningful worship environment.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with church staff, volunteer Committee members and congregants.

Responsibilities

• Provide piano or organ accompaniment for musical selections.
• Work closely with the Minister to select appropriate music for services.
• Input lyrics for weekly service’s PowerPoint presentation.
• Attend monthly Council Meetings.
• Direct a choir and coordinate practices.
• Develop music opportunities for children.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Ability to work cooperatively with church staff

Job description

Work Location: 840 Bruce St., Box 486, Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada N0H 2C0
Contact Name: Susan Brown, Ministry and Personnel Committee Chair
Contact Phone Number & Email: 519-832-9540 or by email at [e-mail]

Overview

Port Elgin United Church’s Music Director must be passionate about bringing meaningful music experiences to PEUC’s diverse congregation. The Music Director will play a pivotal role in enhancing the worship experience by providing a variety of well-prepared musical selections from the vast range of Christian music resources available. The creation of a meaningful and engaging worship environment through music requires the Music Director to hold strong to PEUC’s Christian principles, while enhancing our Mission and Vision.

Responsibilities

• Provide piano or organ accompaniment for musical selections
• Work closely with the Minister to select appropriate music for 3 Sunday services per month, as well as for special services such as Christmas Eve
• Embrace diversity in musical worship opportunities by exploring options from traditional hymns to contemporary pieces
• Input the lyrics of songs to be sung in the weekly service’s PowerPoint presentation via Google Docs by a weekly deadline agreed upon with the Office Administrator
• Understand and maintain up-to-date licensing and reporting for music usage (including duplication, distribution and broadcast), following the guidelines of the United Church of Canada, i.e., CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International)
• Attend monthly Council Meetings (second Sunday of month, 7-9 pm)
• Direct a choir, coordinating weekly practice sessions at a time that is satisfactory for most of the choir members
• Direct a “Summer Choir” that only meets to practice prior to Sunday service
• Engage, coordinate and rehearse with musical volunteers who wish to contribute their talents to worship services
• Develop music opportunities for children
• Develop a solid understanding of PEUC’s audio/visual technology while working closely with the AV Booth Team to ensure optimal sound balance for in-person and online worship
• Assist with setup and testing of sound equipment before each service
• Work with members of various Church Committees, e.g., Worship Committee, Continuing Education Committee, when needed, to coordinate a variety of musical opportunities during services
• Develop a yearly music budget to be presented to Church Council and the Congregation

Other Duties

• Direct a Bell Choir and/or Chime Bar Choir (PEUC has sets of both)
• Direct a Children’s Choir
• Provide music for funerals and weddings. Payment for such services will follow the Fees for Service Policy of Port Elgin United Church.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work cooperatively with church staff, volunteer Committee members and congregants

Preferred Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency in organ accompaniment
• Experience in choral conducting
• Familiarity with traditional hymns and contemporary Christian music
• Familiarity with the hymnals Voices United and More Voices, as well as the United Church of Canada’s new online Let’s Sing resource (coming soon)
• Strong sound technology skills
• Computer skills, i.e., working knowledge of Google Docs