DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY

First Presbyterian Church of Oakland

Who We Are

First Presbyterian Church of Oakland is a diverse community of believers. We place high value on making every individual feel welcome in our church community including people of all ages, races, socio-economic background, ethnicities and genders.

We celebrate in worship Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. in a 100-year-old neo-gothic sanctuary with approximately 60 in attendance on a given Sunday. Our worship style tends to be eclectic; our congregation’s diversity leads to a mix of traditional and contemporary elements. Congregation members, including children and youth, regularly participate in leading worship services.

Music is a central piece of the worship experience and ranges from traditional hymns to African American spirituals and folk songs from around the world, with musical offerings ranging from classical music to jazz. We value the musical gifts of many members of our congregation of all ages including vocal and instrumental musical offerings. Our choir ranges from 10-15 singers and rehearses weekly to provide musical offerings for the Sunday worship service. Hymns are accompanied either on piano or on our renowned Rosales pipe organ.

Who We Are Looking For:

You would be an ideal candidate for this position if you:

·       Would relish the opportunity to get to know us and become an integral part of our faith community;

·       Have a repertoire of ideas for worship service music as well as being open to working with the ideas of the worship planning team;

·       Can play a variety of musical styles on an instrument, preferably piano, organ, and/or guitar;

·       Would enjoy developing the musical gifts of amateur musicians of all ages, providing musical leadership and encouragement;

·       Are able to employ worship music to inspire openness to the Holy Spirit. SUMMARY

The Director of Music Ministry will focus on engaging and developing the musical gifts already present in the congregation for worship. Working closely with the Pastor and Director for Children & Youth , s/he participates in planning and leading a variety of worship music, including congregational singing, a small choir, and musicians of all ages and abilities. Our primary focus is on continuing to develop an intergenerational, multicultural worship environment that reflects our vision to “Make God’s Welcome Known” in both weekly worship and special worship events.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinate the music ministry of First Presbyterian Church with a primary emphasis on rehearsing and directing the choir, planning the musical aspects of worship services, and making use of the musical gifts of those present in worship. The tasks fall in four categories

 

·       Worship

o   Coordinate all musical accompaniment and musical offerings in weekly worship, ensuring that selections are consistent with Presbyterian (PCUSA) theology

o   Lead the choir, preparing them for Sunday morning worship services and other worship events such as seasonal and special occasion observances, providing or organizing accompaniment in

rehearsal and worship as needed. The choir usually sings a least two or three Sundays each month.

o   Encourage and support congregational singing in weekly worship and encourage all to engage fully in the church’s musical life.

o   Oversee the music library, keeping it organized and current.

o   Provide for substitute musicians as needed.

·       Congregational Engagement

o   Recognize the importance of compassionate leadership when working with the choir and/or ensembles and participating in worship

o   Build relationships in the congregation that include the diversity of our members and friends

o   Recruit and develop congregational members for participation in music leadership

o   Offer regular, scheduled times to meet with congregants

·       Staff

o   Participate as a member of the Worship Planning Team (typically, the Pastor and Director for Children & Youth) to plan and review weekly worship services, including: Advent, Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and other seasonal and occasional services as necessary

o   Work with Children & Youth staff and congregational leaders to engage younger congregants in music ministry.

o   Offer support as needed for other gatherings, as requested.

·       Session

o   Be accountable to the Worship & Music Committee in coordination of the annual budget

o   Coordinate music ministry in accordance with the Vision and Mission of the church

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

·       Organized, effective communicator who enjoys working with people

·       Passion for planning meaningful worship experiences to congregants of diverse ages, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and genders

·       Demonstrated experience and/or training in global music

·       Bachelor of Music or Music Education OR significant training and experience as a church musician

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS

·       Master of Music in Choral Music, Sacred Music, Music Education, or another relevant field

·       Demonstrated expertise and performance in a wide variety of musical genres and styles

·       Piano and/or Organ proficiency

·       Skills in other instruments (guitar, voice, etc) to contribute to a vibrant and diverse music program at the church

BENEFITS

·       Sanctuary and other spaces may be used as available for personal and professional artistic development through teaching, performing and otherwise sharing artistic gifts with the community within and beyond the congregation.

·       Self-pay option to join health care benefits program

·             Two weeks paid vacation

TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter and CV to Daniel Strychacz at daniel@firstchurchoakland.org.