DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

To apply: please send your resume to the church at wpc@westminsterpeoria.org or 1420 W. Moss Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61606.

Please be sure to include your qualifications for this position, and, if you wish, a statement about your past experience that would make you interested in Westminster. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. For more information about our church and its music program, please go to https://westminsterpeoria.org.

Our membership is a little over 100 with approximately 40 attending Sunday worship.  We currently have a vocal choir of seven. Of those seven is one member. The size of the choir reflects a reticence to participate in large groups post-Covid.  In time, that will reverse itself and several more congregational members are likely to join or rejoin the choir. We do not at this time have a bell choir, although, before Covid, we did. We would like to see this group activated. We have been playing music for two octaves but own a full three-octave set of Malmark Handbells in excellent shape.

JOB DESCRIPTION

GENERAL

The purpose of the position of Director of Music is to provide the church with both vocal and instrumental music which will enhance the service of worship to the highest degree possible within our resources.

The Director of Music is accountable to the session, Worship Committee, and pastor and is responsible for the entire music program of the church.

The salary range for this part-time position is open to negotiation.

This is a part-time, salaried position based on 52 weeks per year and biweekly pay periods. The compensation includes 15 working days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year. PTO benefits are in addition to holidays and can be used for sick, vacation, or personal days in any combination up to their maximum days per year. The Administration and Personnel Team shall review the salary and the worship committee’s written performance evaluation annually. Additional compensation will be paid by the families for services rendered at weddings and funerals. No payment will be made for any unused leave during the calendar year. One Sunday per year may be taken for paid bereavement leave; further leave may be negotiated.

QUALIFICATIONS

the person selected for this position should have skills in reading music, playing the organ and piano, and interpreting hymns to reflect the theological sense of the hymn. As a choral conductor, s/he will know the repertoire suitable for the personnel at hand and allow for the best possible music to be sung at each service. A basic knowledge of handbells is needed. Basic computer and email skills are needed to ensure a strong communication flow with the choirs and the parish. The person hired is expected to be reliable, cooperative, and display qualities of enthusiasm, and leadership ability. A willingness to work as a colleague of the Pastor and support staff is essential to the success of this ministry.

RESPONSIBILITIES

To plan and prepare, choral and organ/piano music that is appropriate for each service of worship and be willing to be flexible when the Pastor might ask for a certain type of music for a given service.

Select and play appropriate organ/piano music for 10 am Sunday service and various holiday worship services including Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.

To direct the vocal and bell choirs.

To hold regular rehearsals weekly from September through May, and additional rehearsals when needed for services of worship and other activities.

To serve as a member of the session’s Worship Committee which meets monthly.

To submit announcements, for the announcement section to the church service bulletin by the close of business each Tuesday.

Organize and maintain the church’s music library. To order such new music as is appropriate for use with the choir and handbell choir.

To consult with the Worship Committee on annual budget requirements for the music program, and purchase music and equipment within the confines of the yearly budget items for music. Additional funds may be available for important acquisitions but must be cleared with the Worship Committee and Session.

To maintain all musical instruments in good condition, assuring that pianos and organs are tuned at least once a year or when needed.

To aid in recruiting members for the adult choir. To employ paid singers for the choir within financial guidelines set by the Worship Committee. Hiring may take place among University students (Choral Scholars), placing ads in the local papers and online to attract prospective singers, and to be in touch with University choral staff for possible leads from that quarter. To encourage more church members into the choir.

Prepare and play appropriate music for weddings, funerals, and special services as needed in consultation with the pastor.

To obtain a substitute when unavailable to play the organ/piano at services of worship. It is assumed the musician will take PTO during major holidays (Easter, Christmas, etc.) without prior approval, and substantial reason. Substitutes will be paid at the weekly rate as determined by the worship committee.

To plan Christmas and Spring musical services with the approval and consideration of the Worship Committee.

Coordinate special music from congregants during the summer.

The parish hopes to engage a person who will see this job as an expression of his/her own faith as well as his/her professional expertise. A cordial personality and sense of joy is a great asset in this position.  We will do our best to make the new Director’s tenure enjoyable and inspiring and seen as a good use of precious weekend time in her/his life.

“Why am I a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church?  Two words keep  floating up in a rather persistent way  –  “home” and  “family” – and I realized that it is an inescapable fact that is what this church means to me. During my 40 years here, so many life events have happened and Westminster has been there for me through all those times – good and bad.    It has been my home and family.  They say “home is where the heart is” and I’ve found the heart of Westminster to be as open and warm as a family’s!”