St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, also known as The Mark, was founded in 1880 and is the first African American church in Montclair, New Jersey. Our worship style blends traditional and contemporary elements. We seek to reach our community, including the growing number of young families and students from the surrounding colleges and universities. Our next Music Director will help us continue to grow spiritually and numerically.
The Director of Music is responsible for developing and enhancing the ways that music contributes to the spiritual life of St. Mark’s worship services, to the music ministry of its choirs, and the spiritual growth of the music ministry members. Since music is one of the most important elements of worship, the Director of Music has the general responsibility of ensuring that in-person and online music provides a spiritual message for the congregation and the more specific evangelical responsibility of bringing others to Christ. The Director of Music achieves these major goals through preparing choirs, soloists, other musicians, and all music groups, and in planning worship services with the pastor, Worship Planning team, and AV team.
In sum, the above introduction states that the Director of Music will:
- Provide music (Hammond organ, piano, and /or other instruments) and worship leadership and direct all music and singing for in-person and online worship services.
- Define, create, and implement the evangelical role of music for St. Mark’s.
- Assess the rhythm, tone, voice, and skills of each musician and develop a good understanding of their individual abilities.
- Prepare budgets and ensure music staff work within budgetary constraints.
- Lead and supervise rehearsals and performances.
- Arrange regular maintenance for all musical instruments with the Board of Trustees
- Stay up-to-date on developments and trends in church/worship music.
- Accompany special events on the church calendar, which might include Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, a Christmas music program, or other special services.
Note: Playing for special events would be subject to the music director’s availability and paid under separate contract.
Qualifications:
- Excellent keyboard skills (piano, synth, possibly organ)
- Good sight-reading skills as well as the ability to learn some by ear
- Broad musical repertoire preferred
- Musical ability in a variety of genres (gospel, hymns, contemporary, world music, etc.)
- A personality and approach to music ministry that naturally make room for others to lead and encourages collaboration
- Experience and ability in worship song leading as well as teaching others new songs
- Interest in helping others to grow and stretch in their musical leadership in worship
- Openness to new musical ideas and expressions of faith in worship that others may bring
- Recruit, train, direct and encourage the formation of groups
- Rehearsal with choir members is a must
- Willingness to work with children
- A background check is required
Salary Negotiable
Part-time Position: 10 to 15 hours per week
Apply to: info@themarkmtc.org