St Barnabas Seeks Music Director

St. Barnabas seeks a Music Director who is aligned with our values relative to the music program:

• Participation over perfection – We encourage people of all levels of singing ability to join the choir. A leader skilled in helping individuals gain confidence and find their true voice will allow a continuation of the good work started by our last Music Director who offered selections that were somewhat challenging. Choir members are willing to be challenged by musical selections, and they want to have fun. Our ideal Music Director finds ways to bring a sense of levity and joy while helping the choir work hard to achieve their best.

• Supports a caring community – The choir is a small caring community within a congregation that understands Christianity to be a call to care for each other. Our director must lead with kindness and create a safe, inclusive, spiritually grounded environment.

• “Broad” Church, Broad musical styles – We are neither very “low” or very “high” (Anglo-Catholic) liturgically, but intentionally blend various styles. 95% of what we typically use is traditional church music, however some parishioners would like to see a wider variety of music occasionally (Taize, folk, etc.)

• Use of special music styles and instrumentation to highlight special days and seasons in the church. The Music Director will collaborate with the Worship Planning Group, which chooses seasonal focus themes and gives input about music.

Skills/Experience

• Some experience with church music; liturgical sensibility is a plus.

• Keyboard skills necessary to conduct choir rehearsal are essential. Ability to accompany the choir occasionally a plus. 

• Experience and/or training in choral direction and voice coaching is also desired.

Job Duties

• Select hymns, service music, anthems, etc. with consideration for the parish and abilities of the choir.

• Attend the Worship Planning Group meetings

• Conduct weekly choir rehearsals on Thursday nights

• Conduct choir warmup on Sunday morning at 9am and direct choir during 10am service as well as special seasonal services.

• Work with sections or individuals as needed

• Report music through One License as required

• Coordinate special singers and instrumentalists

• Use Google workspace and church email system

Job is budgeted as a 10 hour per week position, reporting directly to the rector. Please email cover letter and resume to Rev. Celeste Geldreich.