Director of Music

St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Santa Monica; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Santa Monica invites a part-time Director of Music to lead worship through organ and piano, select music, and coordinate with volunteer ensembles for weekly services.

The role emphasizes inclusive language and Lutheran liturgy, collaborating closely with the pastor to guide the church’s musical life. The incumbent will direct the 20+ voice choir, engage children and youth in worship, and arrange music for summer Sundays and special services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in music, church music, or related degree or experience.
• Demonstrated skill and competency at the pipe organ and piano, with knowledge of other instruments.
• Directed volunteer ensembles for worship (choir/instrumental)
• Interest in working with children to develop participation in worship/music
• Engagement in congregational life to recruit and involve people in music
• Commitment to extending ministry through worship and music to the community
• Knowledge of Lutheran heritage, liturgical seasons, lectionary, hymnody, and choral music
• Excellence in communication and organizational skills
• Desire to collaborate with Pastor and Worship & Music Committee with creativity and Gospel focus

Responsibilities

• Support congregational song through leadership and accompaniment on organ and piano for weekly worship.
• Plan worship with pastor; select hymns, music, psalms; adapt to liturgical calendar.
• Provide music info for bulletins; proofreading before printing.
• Incorporate varied musical idioms from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and All Creation Sings.
• Respect inclusive language and adjust lyrics in consultation with pastor when appropriate.
• Lead 20+ voice choir weekly; schedule varies with church calendar.
• Engage children/youth musically to foster participation and leadership.
• Provide music for summer Sundays and special services when choir isn’t scheduled.
• Provide music for weddings/funerals when requested and paid in advance.
• Arrange substitute musicians and prep them during absences.
• Maintain music library; oversee organ/piano care and maintenance.
• Maintain professional competency through planning, preparation, and continuing education.
• Participate in Worship & Music Committee meetings; assist in budgeting for music ministry.
• Participate in annual performance review with Church Council.
• Encourage participation in congregational activities and post-worship fellowship.
• Take on additional tasks as mutually agreed with Pastor.

Skills

Organ proficiency

Piano proficiency

Directing ensembles

Child involvement

Congregational life engagement

Liturgical knowledge

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in music or church music

Experience in church music

Job description

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.