Music Director

Northminster Presbyterian Church

Position Description

Title: Music Director

Purpose:

The Music Director is responsible for selecting choral music, preparing and conducting the choir for worship on Sundayand for special services during the year, and coordinating other aspects of the church’s music program.

Additionally, the Music Director accompanies the choir and/or other musicians, and provides service music, including preludes, hymns, offertories and postludes, for the Sunday morning and other worship services.

Northminster currently has one weekly Sunday morning traditional worship service year-round and one Thursday evening choir rehearsal per week, September through Pentecost.

Church instruments include a 3-manual Allen digital organ (1990), a classic Steinway grand piano, a five-foot Bush & Lane grand piano, five octaves of Mall mark hand bells, a set of hand chimes, and various percussion instruments.

Accountability:

The Music Director serves under the authority of the Session of the church, ordinarily in consultation with Worship and Music Committee, and under the direction of the Pastor.

Responsibilities:

The Music Director—

1. Is responsible for developing, training, rehearsing and directing the choir and providing accompaniment fromSeptember through Pentecost. From Pentecost to September, the Music Director is responsible for playing or ensuring the availability of service music by working with musicians in the congregation and filling in as needed.

2. Must make appropriate contingency arrangements in the event of unplanned absences, as soon as practical and in coordination with the Pastor, including, if necessary, the appointment of a replacement. Should a paid temporary substitute be needed, the honorarium is not to exceed $200 per event.

3. Is responsible for rehearsal and direction for special services on: Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, MaundyThursday, Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas Eve.

4. Performs, upon request and if available, accompaniment and incidental music for special services such as weddings and memorial services. In these cases, the Music Director works with the Pastor and service requestor to select appropriate music. Private parties arranging such services customarily provide compensation separately.

5. Informs the Worship and Music Committee in a timely fashion of maintenance requirements for the organ and piano.

6. Encourages use of the variety of musical skills (vocal and instrumental) of congregation members during worship service and supports participation of children in musical worship.

7. May arrange, in coordination with, or at the request of the Worship and Music Committee or the Pastor, for occasional participation in worship services of volunteer or paid outside musicians.

8. Plans, with the Pastor, appropriate music for church services. Attends monthly check-in meetings with the Pastor/Head of Staff.

9. Participates in Worship and Music Committee meetings (4 to 5 meetings per year).

Relationships:

Receives administrative direction and support from the Pastor and Worship and Music

Committee, and works closely with the Church Organist and other church staff.

Concerns and areas of need or support may be addressed with the Personnel Committee at any time.

To encourage development and ensure well-being, the Personnel committee carries out annual reviews, usually in the first two months of the calendar year.

As a leader in and staff member of the church, the Music Director facilitates, in cooperation with Personnel, Christian Education, the Pastor, and Worship and Music, compliance with the NPC Sexual Misconduct Prevention Policy.

Evaluation:

Participates in an annual review by the Personnel Committee of the Session.

Minimum Qualifications:

The Music Director—

1. Communicates with and fosters the musical skills of people of all ages and musical backgrounds.

2. Demonstrates interest in a wide range of musical experiences.

3. Demonstrates sufficient piano and/or organ skills to competently sight-read and perform hymns, liturgy, andimprovise easy anthem accompaniments. Organ playing proficiency is desirable but is not required.

4. Is able to work with and provide direction as needed to other staff and volunteers engaged in music in church activities.

5. Is able to research, develop, and execute music programs tailored to congregation and community needs and abilities.

6. Shows good planning skills and dependability.

7. Possesses, preferably, a college-level degree in choral conducting, music education, piano or organ performance, or substantial music leadership experience.

Hours, Salary, and Benefits:

The position averages fifteen (15) hours per week annually. For 2026, the basic salary is $41 per hour, to be paid on the first day each month of the calendar year, beginning one month after the job starts.

This position provides an annual discretionary wellness benefit of 250 dollars.

Additionally, this position provides a Continuing Education Allowance (CEA) consisting of up to one paid week off plus astipend of up to $1,000 each year. CEA monies will be disbursed by Personnel based on the recommendation of theWorship and Music Committee acting at the Music Director’s request.

The Music Director may take up to six (6) paid Sundays off from worship per year. Time off must be coordinated in advance with the Pastor, and timely notification given to the chair of the Worship and Music Committee, and to the choir and other music program participants, as appropriate.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $41.00 per hour

Benefits:

Paid time off

Work Location: In person