Music Director – Port Elgin United Church

Choirs Ontario; Port Elgin; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent religious organization in Port Elgin, Ontario, is seeking a passionate Music Director to enhance worship experiences through diverse musical offerings. Responsibilities include directing choirs, coordinating music for services, and maintaining sound technology. The ideal candidate will be skilled in organization and cooperative work, with a strong proficiency in musical accompaniment.

Benefits

Benefits and Pension

Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills required for managing music selections and coordination.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff and volunteers essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide piano or organ accompaniment for services.
• Direct choir and coordinate with volunteers for musical practices.
• Maintain licensing and reporting for music usage.

Skills

Organizational skills

Cooperation

Tools

Google Docs

Sound technology

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]

Job Description

Hours: 14 hours per week for 3 weeks per month (including 3 Sundays)
Wage: $30-$35/hr
Benefits and Pension: Yes

Position 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.

Primary Duties:

• 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 Possible 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.

Required Skills:

• 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