Music Director

Christ Lutheran Church (CLC) in Natick, MA, seeks a part-time Music Director to guide, enhance, and develop the music ministry of the community. The ideal candidate will be someone who can provide compelling and thoughtful music for worship that includes both traditional Baroque and Classical works and more contemporary offerings from composers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Music is integral to the ministry of CLC. Our existing music program is a commitment to the Lutheran understanding of the importance of music in the life of the church.

The Music Director would be someone with a passion for building community through music, fostering nurturing relationships with our existing musicians and eager hopefuls, and leveraging community connections to broaden our offerings.

The role of Music Director will include oversight and guidance of an 8–12-member adult choir that welcomes members with musical skills at all levels and that includes several members with high caliber choral talent. The congregation includes talented musicians who offer skills in a range of instruments. It is anticipated that the Music Director will lead and challenge the choirs and musicians to grow in their efforts to contribute to the liturgy through music.

The Music Director will work with the guidance and collaboration of the Pastor and in coordination with our other paid music staff to lead our program of instrumental and vocal liturgical music that fosters passionate spirituality, complements the liturgical celebration, and highlights the Music Director’s creativity, leadership, and gifts, all anchored by skilled artistry at the organ and piano.

Qualifications & Experience

• Four-year degree in organ performance or equivalent experience, with preference for those with advanced degrees in choral conducting or church music direction
• Minimum of four years of experience directing the music for a liturgical church, with at least 2 years as choir director as well
• Knowledgeable and respectful of the liturgy and worship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
• Ability to work under pressure and thoughtfully and collaboratively engage other staff and members of the congregation and respond appropriately.
• Ability to work effectively with musicians of varying talent levels and ages, from young children to adults
• Appreciation of and experience in a wide range of music styles and periods
• Openness to continued creative renewal and change
• Exceptional administrative, communication, and organizational skills

Benefits

• Salary range: $25,000 - $30,000, commensurate with experience
• Four weeks paid vacation
• Continuing education stipend
• Ability to use facilities (as permitted by schedule) for private teaching

Music Director’s Responsibilities

This part-time (average of 20 hours per week) position involves:

Weekly

• Playing organ and piano for weekly 10:00 AM Sunday morning and seasonal services: Mid-week Advent, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Mid-week Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Holy Week services.
• Weekly staff meetings with the Bell Choir Director, Parish Administrator, and Pastor
• Weekly communication with Parish Administrator to include the liturgical music in the weekly service bulletin.
• Directing the choir in Sunday services and weekly choir rehearsals from September through June. Choir rehearsals are currently Thursday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 PM, with some flexibility to change, and Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 9:45 AM.

Periodically (Monthly, Every Six Weeks or Quarterly)

• In collaboration with the Bell Choir Director and Pastor, choosing the hymns and service music appropriate for the liturgical Church Year.
• Choosing organ and piano instrumental music selections and choir anthems appropriate for the liturgical church year.
• Hiring additional instrumentalists for special occasions (i.e., trumpet, violin, jazz trio, etc.)
• The current standard is to plan as close to a season in advance (i.e. Advent is set by September 1, Epiphany by Advent 1, Lent by Epiphany 1, etc.)
• Meetings with the Pastor and the Worship, Music, and Visual Arts (WMVA) Committee

Variable/Annual

• Write music news notes for the ENews, our weekly email communication to the members and friends of CLC.
• Scheduling and rehearsing with congregational musicians (Appalachian Land & Seasons Band and World Music Ensemble)
• Contracting substitute musicians to cover scheduled time off
• Arranging and scheduling maintenance and repairs for the organ and pianos, usually twice a year
• Keeping the music library organized and making additions as allowed by the budget
• Right of first refusal for unscheduled celebrations such as weddings and funerals (which are compensated separately)
• In conjunction with the Bell Choir Director, Pastor, Council, and WMVA Committee, design music-centered events that will draw in both the membership of the church and our neighbors in the wider community
• Writing an annual report of the music program in advance of the annual meeting (June)

Other responsibilities may be assigned at the discretion of the Pastor and WMVA Committee and based on the interest and experience of the candidate.

This position reports to the Pastor.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, please submit to
musicdirectorsearch@christnatick.org the following:

• Introductory cover letter summarizing your philosophy of music as an element of worship and how your gifts would serve the congregation of Christ Lutheran Church
• Resumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Three current references including phone and email
• Link to or recording of a service, performance, or rehearsal