Director of Music

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church; California (MO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, CA, seeks a Part-time Director of Music for 10–20 hours weekly.

The one-year renewable contract offers a modest salary range of $32,000–$45,000 commensurate with education and experience, starting January 2027. The Director will lead worship music, collaborate with the pastor, and guide choirs and instrumentalists to glorify God through diverse musical offerings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in music, church music, or related degree or experience.
• Skill and competency with pipe organ and piano; ability to incorporate other instruments.
• Experience directing volunteer vocal and instrumental ensembles.
• Interest in engaging children in worship and music.
• Willingness to recruit and involve people in music ministry.
• Understanding of Lutheran liturgical practices and hymnody.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Collaborate with pastor to foreground gospel through music.

Responsibilities

• Lead weekly worship music with organ and piano for services, including liturgical seasons.
• Plan worship with pastor; select hymns and music for services and ensembles.
• Provide bulletin information and proofread content for worship materials.
• Embrace diverse musical idioms from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and related collections.
• Ensure inclusive language in music selections, consulting the pastor as needed.
• Direct the 20+ voice choir during rehearsals and Sunday services.
• Engage children and youth through singing and instrument activities.
• Arrange for solo/ensemble/instrumental music during summers and special services.
• Provide music for weddings/funerals when requested and budgeted.
• Arrange substitutes and support for absences; maintain music library and instrument care.
• Maintain professional competency through planning, prep, practice, and education.
• Participate in Worship & Music Committee and budget discussions; yearly review.
• Attend congregational activities as schedule permits; other duties as agreed with Pastor.

Skills

Organ & piano proficiency

Volunteer ensembles leadership

Worship planning collaboration

Inclusive language in music

Children engagement in worship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in music or church music

Job description

Director of Music, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Santa Monica, CA

Part-time: 10-20 Hours per week, varying as church calendar necessitates, one-year renewable contract, no benefits included

Salary range: $32,000 – $45,000 commensurate with education and experience

Start: January 2027

About St. Paul’s.

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Santa Monica, founded in 1926, The word “evangelical” in both the name of our congregation and of our denomination means that we are centered in the Good News of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. St. Paul’s is an inclusive and intergenerational Christian community in which faith relationships with God are nurtured and deepened.

We are also a Reconciling in Christ congregation within the ELCA since 2001. “Reconciling in Christ” means that St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has adopted an affirmation of welcome for all people, but particularly those who might not feel welcome in other faith communities. We are intentional in our embrace and inclusion of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender individuals. Worship services and music videos can be viewed on the church’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@st.paulslutheranchurchofsa5601.

Overview of the Position

Worship is at the heart of all we do. Worship sends us forth to live as God’s people in our families, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. The role of the Director of Music is to ensure that God is glorified, and the gospel proclaimed through the musical life of the congregation. The Director of Music is responsible for leading the musical expression of the people – the assembly, choral groups, solos singers and instrumentalists – among whom organists have been especially important for Lutherans. The congregation has an Abbott & Sieker 17 rank tracker organ installed in 1974 as well as a 1917 Steinway piano. In 2026, the piano hammers were replaced and action regulated, and the organ was extensively rebuilt. The Director of Music works together in ministry with the pastor and people of St. Paul’s to involve the worshiping community in making high-quality, beautiful music together to the glory of God.

Job Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in music, church music, or other related degree or experience.


2. Demonstrated skill and competency at the pipe organ and piano, and a working knowledge of inclusion of other instruments.


3. Demonstrated skill and competency directing volunteer ensembles, both vocal and instrumental, to serve in worship as a choir or small group.


4. Interest in and willingness to work with children to develop and encourage their participation in the worship and music of the church.


5. Interest in and willingness to engage in congregational life to recruit and involve people in making music as individuals and in ensembles.


6. An understanding of and commitment to the extension of the ministry of St. Paul’s into the community, offering the treasures of worship and music as a means of communicating the love of Christ for all people.


7. Knowledge of and embracing Lutheran heritage and liturgical practices, including familiarity with liturgical seasons, lectionary, hymnody, and appropriate choral music.


8. Excellence in communication and organizational skills.


9. Desire to participate in a collaborative work environment, embracing and mindful of liturgical tradition, while bringing creativity and innovation to the communication of the Gospel.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

1. Support congregational song through musical leadership and accompaniment on the pipe organ and piano for weekly worship on Sunday mornings, special services appropriate to the liturgical calendar including Advent/Christmas, Lent/Holy Week/Easter, and other designated worship opportunities for the congregation.


2. Participate in worship planning with the pastor. Select hymns, choral music, psalms, preludes, offertories, postludes, and ensemble music, including pieces from diverse musical idioms appropriate to the Sunday texts, liturgical calendar, and seasonal theme.


3. Supply information on selected music in a timely manner to assist the parish administrator in bulletin preparation. Proofread the bulletin before printing.


4. Embrace the rich variety of musical idioms in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, All Creation Sings, and other resources to enhance the congregation’s worship experience.


5. Be aware of the congregation’s commitment to the use of inclusive language and expansive imagery of God when selecting anthems and hymns and make changes to lyrics in consultation with the pastor as appropriate.


6. Conduct the 20+ voice choir at weekly rehearsals Sunday mornings from 9-10am. The choir sings most every Sunday early/mid September through late May/early June depending on the church calendar.


7. Through music, engage the children and youth in the life of the congregation via singing and instrument skills, thereby fostering their participation and sense of leadership in worship.


8. Provide for solo, small ensemble, or instrumental music for Sundays during the summer months and for special services during the year when the regular choir is not scheduled to serve.


9. Provide music for wedding and funeral worship services if available when requested for a fee established by the Church Council and paid in advance.


10. Arrange for substitute musicians and provide preparation support for them during any time away from regular duties at St. Paul’s.


11. Maintain the music library and supervise the care and maintenance and the repair of the organ and piano.


12. Maintain professional competency by adequately planning, preparing, and practicing, as well as attending continuing educational opportunities.


13. Participate in Worship & Music Committee meetings as scheduled. Work with the Church Council to propose an annual budget for the music ministry.


14. Participate in a yearly performance review by the Executive Committee of the Church Council.


15. Encouraged to attend congregational activities, particularly following worship, as schedule permits.


16. Additional tasks as mutually determined with the Pastor.

Street Address: 958 Lincoln Boulevard

Zip Code/Postal Code: 90403

Phone: [phone]