Port Elgin United Church Music Director
Work Location: 840 Bruce St., Box 486, Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada N0H 2C0
Contact Name: Susan Brown, Ministry and Personnel Committee Chair
Contact Phone Number & Email: 519-832-9540 or by email at peunitedchurch@bmts.com
Job Description
Hours: 14 hours per week for 3 weeks per month (including 3 Sundays)
Wage: $30-$35/hr
Benefits and Pension: Yes
Position Overview:
Port Elgin United Church’s Music Director must be passionate about bringing meaningful music experiences to PEUC’s diverse congregation. The Music Director will play a pivotal role in enhancing the worship experience by providing a variety of well-prepared musical selections from the vast range of Christian music resources available. The creation of a meaningful and engaging worship environment through music requires the Music Director to hold strong to PEUC’s Christian principles, while enhancing our Mission and Vision.
Primary Duties:
• Lead music during Sunday Worship Services 3 Sundays per month
• Provide piano or organ accompaniment for musical selections
• Work closely with the Minister to select appropriate music for 3 Sunday services per month, as well as for special services such as Christmas Eve
• Embrace diversity in musical worship opportunities by exploring options from traditional hymns to contemporary pieces
• Input the lyrics of songs to be sung in the weekly service’s PowerPoint presentation via Google Docs by a weekly deadline agreed upon with the Office Administrator
• Understand and maintain up-to-date licensing and reporting for music usage (including duplication, distribution and broadcast), following the guidelines of the United Church of Canada, i.e., CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International)
• Attend monthly Council Meetings (second Sunday of month, 7-9 pm)
• Direct a choir, coordinating weekly practice sessions at a time that is satisfactory for most of the choir members
• Direct a “Summer Choir” that only meets to practice prior to Sunday service
• Engage, coordinate and rehearse with musical volunteers who wish to contribute their talents to worship services
• Develop music opportunities for children
• Develop a solid understanding of PEUC’s audio/visual technology while working closely with the AV Booth Team to ensure optimal sound balance for in-person and online worship
• Assist with setup and testing of sound equipment before each service
• Work with members of various Church Committees, e.g., Worship Committee, Continuing Education Committee, when needed, to coordinate a variety of musical opportunities during services
• Develop a yearly music budget to be presented to Church Council and the Congregation
Other Possible Duties:
• Direct a Bell Choir and/or Chime Bar Choir (PEUC has sets of both)
• Direct a Children’s Choir
• Provide music for funerals and weddings. Payment for such services will follow the Fees for Service Policy of Port Elgin United Church.
Required Skills:
• Demonstrated proficiency in piano accompaniment
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work cooperatively with church staff, volunteer Committee members and congregants
Preferred Skills:
• Demonstrated proficiency in organ accompaniment
• Experience in choral conducting
• Familiarity with traditional hymns and contemporary Christian music
• Familiarity with the hymnals Voices United and More Voices, as well as the United Church of Canada’s new online Let’s Sing resource (coming soon)
• Strong sound technology skills
• Computer skills, i.e., working knowledge of Google Docs
To apply, please email your resume to Susan Brown at peunitedchurch@bmts.com
