Chancel Choir Director

Simi Valley UMC

Choir Director Job Description

General Responsibility:

               Leads Chancel Choir of the church in a manner that strengthens worship, 

               encourages inclusion, community, and advances the mission of the congregation.

Qualifications:

1. Excellence in choral music direction and music education.
2. A genuine love for people and an optimistic, positive spirit.
3. A proactive and organized planning/leadership style.
4. Experience with a wide range of church music genres.
5. Experience and interest in encouraging connection with local community and university music programs.

Accountability:

               The Director of the Chancel Choir reports to the Lead Pastor and the SPRC.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Gives leadership to the development of the Sunday worship service, directs the Chancel Choir, including recruiting, coaching, motivating, shepherding, preparation and rehearsal (including any additional musicians hired for worship services).
2. Selects music for services appropriate to worship themes and seasons; reports to the pastor and consults on music selection and worship design as requested.
3. Supervises (with the Pastor) the Organist and works collegially with the other music and church staff.
4. Develops annual personal growth objectives which are helpful to the music program.
5. Proactively encourages new ideas and new developments in worship music.

Time and Hours:

10 hours weekly at a starting hourly rate negotiated based on experience.  Weekly base hours are rated on a calculation of 1 hour of preparation for each hour of “face time” per week: currently 2 hours for Thursday rehearsal; 2 hours for Sunday; 1 hour of administrative teamwork (5 hours total + 5 hours preparation).

Essential Functions:

1. Direct regular Thursday night choir rehearsals, 7:00-8:30 p.m. and regular Sunday morning 10:00 a.m. worship service. Additionally, direct the Chancel Choir whenever the choir is expected to sing, including special services such as Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter service, Christmas Eve services, etc.
2. Rehearse sufficiently for optimum performance at services and events.
3. Arrange for extra choral rehearsals as needed.
4. Dress professionally for Sunday services.
5. Arrange for a competent substitute to direct the Sanctuary Choir occasionally when not able to be present at worship services, performances, or rehearsals per the guidelines in the Personnel Policy.  No substitutes will be allowed for the following occasions: Christmas Eve, Easter week services, and Easter Sunday.
6. Have a good and open relationship with the organist.
7. Keep the choral library current and organized.
8. Communicate regularly with the Pastor and Church Office Staff.  Work with the Pastor to determine appropriate anthems for each Sunday.  Turn in titles and composers for the weekly bulletin in a timely fashion as requested by the office staff.
9. Communicate weekly via email with choir members regarding updates and scheduling.
10. Understand and work within the Choir budget line items, as determined by the Finance Committee. In addition, work with other music staff (both paid and volunteer) to manage the Special Music Fund.
11. Recruit additional musicians as needed and with knowledge of the music budget.
12. Provide lyrics for worship slides for any congregational music not in one of the two pew books.
13. Provide hard copies of any music outside of the pew books to the ASL interpreter, this includes Anthems and special music.

Personal Qualities

1. Be friendly and open to all members of the choir and congregation.
2. Be prepared to handle problems in the choir with kindness.

Compensation

This is a non-exempt position with an hourly rate ($25-35 per hour, depending on education and experience) and includes sick time and vacation time per the SVUMC Personnel Policy.

Submit your resume to Pastor Stacy Brooks at [email protected].