Ecumenical Music Director Pianist or Guitarist

Music Ministry International; Yuma (AZ); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

Music Ministry International is seeking a part-time Director of Music in Yuma, Arizona. The successful candidate will coordinate worship music programs for military services, ensuring high-quality music that aligns with the themes of both Roman Catholic and Protestant services.

Responsibilities include leading musical selections, maintaining music inventories, and supporting the overall worship experience. Applicants should have a minimum of five years of relevant experience and be proficient in piano, organ, or guitar.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience delivering music for Roman Catholic and Protestant worship services.
• Ability to play keyboard instruments or guitar using prescribed music sources.
• Strong planning skills for musical selections ensuring suitability for worship.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and administer the music program for military and civilian employees.
• Plan and coordinate musical selections with chaplains for services.
• Maintain organized inventory of music supplies and resources.

Skills

Experience with Roman Catholic and Protestant worship services

Proficiency on piano, organ, or guitar

Planning and coordinating musical selections

Accompanying singers, choirs, and congregations

Job description

The successful candidate will be a 1099 Director of Music with Music Ministry International and be responsible for coordinating and administering the Roman Catholic and Protestant music programs, providing a high-quality music program with emphasis on musical selections, accompaniment, and maintenance of music supplies.

Responsibilities

• The Director of Music shall coordinate and administer the music program for active duty and retired military, dependent family members, and civilian employees at the MCAS Yuma Station Chapel, working with the MCAS Station Command Chaplain, worship leaders, cantors, and other musicians to ensure a coordinated service of worship.
• The Director shall plan and coordinate musical selections with the presiding Protestant Chaplain and Catholic Priest to align with the theme and style of each service.
• Selection of pieces for choir solo presentations, adjusting tempo and style to enhance worship participation.
• Maintain an organized inventory of music supplies, resources, files, and directives, and submit requests for ordering supplies through the Religious Support Administrative Manager and chaplain approval.
• Perform accompanist duties at choir rehearsals and services per the Service Performance Calendar, rehearsing appropriate congregation members prior to services.
• Be on site for Sunday morning services and other music functions.
• Lead the music, including choir and congregation.
• Recommend music purchases in writing to the MCAS Yuma Command Chaplain to enhance the Religious Ministries Musical Program.
• Notify the senior Religious Support Administrative Manager of facility or equipment maintenance needs.
• Provide music selections to the Religious Program Specialist no later than 12:00 on Wednesdays for inclusion in the weekly bulletin.
• Maintain a neat, well-groomed appearance appropriate for chapel worship services during all duties.
• Record each session performed in the logbook, annotate date, time, and reason; submit logbook pages with invoices to the Command Chaplain for payment.
• Provide a substitute at the Director's expense if unable to perform services, ensuring the substitute meets contract specifications.
• Notify the MCAS Station Command Chaplain of planned substitutions two weeks in advance for planned absences.
• Coordinate last‑minute substitutions by phone and email 2–3 hours before scheduled time when necessary.
• Work within the guidelines of the Statement of Work and in coordination with the MCAS Yuma Command Chaplain, adhering to directives of the Archdiocese of Military Services and the Roman Catholic Church.

Schedule

Estimated 13 sessions per month, up to 104 worship and 52 combined rehearsal sessions, six special Masses on major holiday dates (estimated, not guaranteed), and two special worship services, for a total of 164 sessions annually.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience with Roman Catholic and Protestant worship services, proficient on piano, organ, or guitar.
• Ability to play a keyboard instrument or guitar for Catholic worship using the Oregon Catholic Press (OCP) Respond & Acclaim 2016 and the OCP Breaking Bread Missal 2016; for Protestant services, proficient in contemporary Christian music.
• Strong skill in planning and coordinating musical selections and accompanying singers, choirs, and congregations.
• Deliver a quality music program: playing in tune, appropriate tempo, and suitable to the solemnity of the worship service.

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