Choir Director

North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church; Garner (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Garner United Methodist Church seeks a Choir Director to guide the Chancel Choir in rehearsals and worship, while collaborating with staff and volunteers to present spiritually uplifting music. The role emphasizes leadership, communication, and a calling to worship through music.

The successful candidate will supervise music personnel, coordinate rehearsals, and stay current with traditional and contemporary repertoire, serving the congregation with a welcoming voice.

Qualifications

• Be a professing Christian who perceives a calling to assist the pastor and the congregation in the worship of God through music
• Read music; ability to play musical instrument(s) desirable
• Experience in choral conducting, vocal performance, and church music ministry preferred

Responsibilities

• Select, rehearse, and present high energy, spiritually inspiring music for weekly worship and special services
• Lead Chancel Choir rehearsals and possibly handbell choir
• Collaborate with music personnel and volunteers to present ensemble, solo, or instrumental pieces during worship
• Recruit and encourage choir members within the congregation and promote the music ministry
• Maintain and expand the music library and equipment inventory
• Prepare and administer the annual music ministry budget
• Attend Music Ministry Team and Worship Team meetings quarterly
• Provide leadership to the accompanist and organist and liaise with Staff Parish Relations Committee
• Work well with volunteers and promote harmony in the workplace
• Stay current on traditional and contemporary church music
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Senior Pastor

Skills

Choral conducting

Vocal performance

Musical direction

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Garner United Methodist Church is a friendly, inclusive, and active congregation that is missionally minded and growing. The Choir Director at Garner United Methodist Church will be amiable and approachable with a passion for sacred music and for collaboration. The Choir Director will be skilled at musical direction and the musical arts. The Choir Director will lead Garner UMC’s Chancel Choir in rehearsals and during worship, both glorifying God and providing an outlet for choir members to share their gifts with the congregation. The Choir Director will be comfortable in the worship setting and in directing the congregation in learning new hymns on occasion. The Choir Director will be a professional, a good communicator, and able to work with people of different abilities. The Choir Director will be friendly and interactive with the congregation, as his or her schedule permits.

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Select, rehearse, and present high energy, spiritually inspiring music in consultation with the Senior Pastor for weekly Sunday morning worship services and special worship services throughout the church year, e.g., Holy Week worship services, Christmas Eve services, funeral services.
2. Lead Chancel Choir rehearsals on Wednesday evenings. If Choir Director is knowledgeable about leading a handbell choir, the Choir Director may also lead a handbell choir.
3. Works cooperatively and collaboratively with other music personnel and volunteers to develop collaborative, ensemble, solo, or instrumental pieces to occasionally present during worship.
4. Recruit and encourage choir members from within the congregation and generally promote the music ministry at Garner UMC.
5. Supervise maintenance of and additions to the music library and equipment, e.g., purchased music, musical instruments, related accessories.
6. Prepare and administer the annual music ministry budget reflecting the needs of the music ministry program and in accordance with the mission of Garner UMC.
7. Attend meetings of the Music Ministry Team and Worship Team on a quarterly basis.
8. Provide effective leadership to the accompanist and organist. Report any concerns to the Staff Parish Relations Committee.
9. Work well and respectfully with volunteers including Chancel Choir members and Praise Band members.
10. Promote harmony in the workplace by maintaining good working relationships and supporting staff decisions.
11. Stay current on traditional and contemporary church music.
12. Perform any additional duties as assigned him/her by the Senior Pastor.

Requirements:

• Be a professing Christian who perceives a calling to assist the pastor and the congregation in the worship of God through music
• Relevant bachelor’s degree completed or in process and/or equivalent experience is required
• Ability to read music; ability to play musical instrument(s) is desirable
• Experience in choral conducting, vocal performance, and church music ministry is preferred
• Ability to learn and use worship planning computer software and online platforms

Office Hours/Work Arrangements:

The Choir Director, in consultation with the Senior Pastor, will establish routine office hours, evening rehearsal times, and Sunday morning rehearsal time. Should the schedule need to be changed because of special activities and the Choir Director is required to be present, adjustments will be made.
The Choir Director may attend one music workshop for music-related continuing education, leadership, or development annually. The workshop must be specifically related to the music minsitries of the church and must be approved in advance by the Senior Pastor and/or Staff Parish Relations Committee with the reasonable expenses to be paid by the church.