Director of Music

Director of Music, St. Luke Lutheran Church

This document lays out the qualifications and responsibilities for the Director of Music position for which St. Luke Lutheran Church is currently recruiting.

Music Program Vision Statement

An engaging and stimulating music program at St. Luke Lutheran Church enhances worship and special events through varied musical styles, traditions, and groups. The program proclaims the gospel, attracts church members, and promotes involvement in music activities. Participation is rewarding and collaborative, striving to produce beautiful music while providing community and enjoyment.

St. Luke seeks a skilled and committed individual to help us realize our vision.

Qualifications

The qualifications in this section have the following structure. For each area, we list qualifications at three levels.

● Essential: Applicants expected to have all (or nearly all) of these qualifications

● Desired: Applicants should have many of these qualifications

● Bonus: Additional qualifications of value

Formal Training

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in Music

Desired: Master’s degree in Music

Bonus: Degree is in choral conducting

Performance Skills

Essential: Keyboard and vocal skills sufficient for rehearsals

Desired: Keyboard or guitar and vocal skills for accompaniment and performance at services

Bonus: Other instruments – organ, bass, drums

Choral Conducting Experience

Essential: Experience rehearsing and conducting choral groups

Desired: Experience with church choirs – traditional and contemporary

Bonus: Experience with Lutheran church choirs

Handbell Experience

Essential: Willing to learn handbell conducting

Desired: Experience rehearsing and conducting handbell ensembles

Bonus: Experience is in a church setting

Worship Planning

Essential: Familiarity with church service organization

Desired: Familiarity with liturgical service settings and liturgical calendar

Bonus: Familiarity with Lutheran liturgies, hymnal, highlighting the day’s message

Broadening Participation

Essential: Willingness to create opportunities for people with limited or no musical training (e.g., might not read music)

Desired: Experience with leading informal music activities (e.g., sing-alongs)

Bonus: Experience with marimbas

Knowledge of Repertoire

Essential: Familiarity with a broad range of traditional and modern music styles

Desired: Knowledge of sacred music, world music traditions

Bonus: Knowledge of instrumental repertoire

Audio-Visual Operation

Essential: Willing to learn to operate basic audio-amplification system

Desired: Familiarity with audio-amplification, digital-projection equipment

Bonus: Able to configure AV systems

Computer Skills

Essential: Knowledge of basic desktop tools (e.g., Word) and email

Desired: Familiarity with worship-support software, web tools (e.g., Google docs), conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom)

Bonus: Experience with ProProducer, digital audio editing

Organizational and Communication Skills

Essential: Ability to be self-directed, communicate effectively with others, team player

Desired: Experience in a church setting

Bonus: Creative, sense of humor

Faith

Essential: Must be a committed Christian, respectful of Lutheran Doctrine

Responsibilities

The responsibilities in this section have the following structure. For each area, we list responsibilities at three levels.

● Definite: Required duties of the position

● Probable: Director of Music will be responsible for many of these

● Possible: Other duties, depending on interests and other staff

Music Direction

Definite: Rejoice Choir (adult, traditional), small groups and soloists, modern worship

Probable: Summer choir (5-6 times per summer, day-of rehearsal)

Possible: Handbell choirs, children’s or youth choirs

Service Planning

Definite: Planning music (with clergy, other directors, worship leaders, accompanists) for regular and special worship; weddings and funerals; groups under direction

Definite: Attend weekly staff and worship-planning meetings

Probable: Coordinate & schedule all performance groups & individuals

Event Planning

Probable: Collaborate on planning of Christmas Program and Vacation Bible School

Probable: Organizing annual Rejoice Choir fundraising concert, community-building music events

Possible: Advent Festival, Ring & Sing (Bells and other choirs), Talent Show

Service Participation

Definite: Presence at Sunday and special services, including midweek Advent and Lent

worship, set-up for music groups, direction of music groups

Probable: Accompany and perform at services

Probable: Lead congregational singing

Recruiting

Definite: Organize searches for part-time music staff

Definite: Help recruit and supervise directors of other music groups

Definite: Recruit participants for all musical groups

Probable: Booking of outside instrumentalists

Outreach and Coordination

Definite: Incorporate youth in music & ministry of St. Luke

Probable: Interact with other church choirs and directors

Possible: Represent St. Luke in community and synod activities

Equipment and Maintenance

Definite: Arrange maintenance of musical instruments

Definite: Supervise and expand the music library

Probable: Work with AV tech on purchase

Possible: Coordinate purchase or rental of other music-program equipment (e.g., folders, robes, risers, stands, handbell equipment, sound shields)

Professional Development

Definite: Maintain and develop professional skills

Probable: Pursue formal and informal professional development opportunities as funds allow

Probable: Participate in appropriate professional organizations

Possible: Organize development activities for others