Contemporary Protestant Worship Leader Pianist or Guitarist

Music Ministry International; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

Music Ministry International seeks a part-time Protestant Worship musician to support Naval Station Norfolk Chapel Command as a 1099 contractor. Responsibilities include leading Protestant worship, coordinating with chaplain, and preparing music for weekly services and rehearsals.

The role covers up to 124 units annually, with one Sunday service each week (about 52 units) starting near 10:30, plus 52 rehearsals and occasional memorial or special services not to exceed set limits.

Qualifications

• At least two years leading and directing Protestant Worship in a mainline church or equivalent.
• Preference for Protestant Contemporary Music experience.
• Will work as a 1099 contractor with Navy Chapel Command to support worship services.

Responsibilities

• Lead Protestant worship services as required.
• Support up to 124 units for the chapel (each unit typically 1–1.5 hours).
• Provide one Protestant Sunday service per week (52 units) starting about 10:30 and lasting ~1 hour.
• Conduct ~52 rehearsals; rehearsals ~1 hour each; schedule per Command Chaplain consultation.
• Provide special services (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday) not to exceed 10 units per year.
• Provide memorial services not to exceed 10 per year.
• Consult weekly with the Command Chaplain; maintain professional demeanor with military staff.
• Recommend musical selections; final decisions rest with the officiating chaplain; music leadership of choir/praise teams.
• Arrive no later than 30 minutes before services.
• Develop rapport and promote team building within Protestant volunteer choirs/praise teams.
• Part-time position with compensation based on budget and experience.

Skills

Religious music leadership

Choral direction

Protestant Worship experience

Job description

The successful candidate will become a 1099 contractor with Music Ministry International and provided services in support of the Naval Station Norfolk Base Chapel Command’s Religious Program for special events, ceremonies and worship. This musician shall:

perform Protestant Musician Leader services required to support the missions and responsibilities of the Naval Station Norfolk Chapel Command Religious program

perform up to 124 units for the chapel. A unit is defined as one event, such as a worship service, a choir rehearsal, a special event, etc. A unit is typically one hour to one and one half hours in length.

provide for one (1) Protestant Sunday service per week for a total of 52 units. Protestant service shall start at approximately 1030 and estimated to last about one hour. Schedule is subject to change; two weeks’ notice of any change will be provided to contractor.

conduct music rehearsals for a total of 52 rehearsals. The rehearsals shall include rehearsal time for special musical selections. Rehearsals shall last approximately one (1) hour. Determination of day of the week and time of rehearsals is at consultation with and the Command Chaplain.

provide special religious services, as determined by the Command Chaplain which may include, but are not limited to: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Years, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday – not to exceed 10 units per year.

provide for memorial services and special events, as determined by the Command Chaplain – not to exceed 10 services per year.

consult weekly with the Command Chaplain, or Protestant Chapel Pastor if so designated by Command Chaplain. Contractor is expected to maintain a professional and respectful demeanor toward military staff that is essential to effective teamwork and mission accomplishment.

recommend relevant musical selections, with Protestant service selections tied to liturgical year, but with final determination of musical selections always resting with the Officiating Chaplain. The Protestant Chapel pastor may elect to select all or some of music and will notify the musician of his/her preference as to who selects music. Short-term nature of memorial services may preclude significant time lead notice to the musician of selections made by the officiating chaplain.

lead congregation in worship music with the support of a choir and/or praise team; and will recruit and train choir and/or praise team members for performance.

arrive for all services no longer than 30 minutes prior to the start of the service.

develop rapport, and promote team building within the Protestant volunteer choirs, praise teams, and/or other choral groups.

Additional requirements: At least two years leading and directing accompanying and leading Protestant Worship in a mainline religion or additional experience in Protestant Contemporary Music are preferred.

This is a part‑time position with compensation based on budget and the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.