Director of Music and Arts
Status: Approximately 20 Hours a week
Anticipated start date: June 2022
Church Contact Information:
United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley
13421 Clopper Road
Germantown, MD 20874-2119
Mailing Address: PO Box 803, Germantown, MD 20985 Phone: (301) 200-2213
Web: www.uccsenecavalley.org
Email: uccofsenecavalley@gmail.com
The United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley, a 100 member congregation located in Germantown, MD, seeks a dynamic and engaging worship collaborator to be their Director of Music and Arts. UCC Seneca Valley (UCCSV) is an open and affirming, theologically progressive and inclusive spiritual community that is centered in the belief that we are all beloved children of God. We seek to joyfully share Christ’s message of hope through creative expression, deepening connections between people, advocating for justice, and serving our community. Whatever your background might be – your race, your nationality, your age, your physical or mental ability, your gender identity or expression, your sexual orientation – whoever you are and wherever you come from, we welcome you into our community of faith. As an Open and Affirming congregation, UCCSV welcomes people of all sexual orientations and all gender identities and expressions. The Director of Music and Arts would be expected to share and uphold these values and our approach to faith. (For more information see our website: https://www.uccsenecavalley.org/)
Our church is working to explore what it means to be a community connected on multiple platforms for worship as well as to re-connect members to each other and the church as we recover from the pandemic. Music and the arts are central to our church’s identity and we are interested in expanding how we use these mediums to further deepen people’s sense of belonging, enhance our passion for justice and service, and engage people across generations and cultures.
The Director of Music and Arts is called to provide leadership in crafting a dynamic, creative music and arts ministry in all aspects of worship and the community life of UCCSV. They are responsible for the overall development, management, and growth of this ministry for children, youth, and adults so as to enhance worship, build community, and offer an extravagant welcome to all.
Due to the nature of this position the Director of Music and Arts would be expected to be on site at the church for regular rehearsals and for Sunday morning worship services (in addition to occasional special worship services throughout the year such as Good Friday or Ash Wednesday). However, there is flexibility in terms of remote work and online attendance for regular staff meetings and collaboration with the worship planning team. Job-sharing (i.e., separating accompanist and director duties) is an option with this position.
Ministry Responsibilities
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Provides leadership to support the mission of the church through music and the arts.
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Directs, accompanies, supervises, plans, and/or provides all musical elements of worship
and special services, including but not limited to the Adult/Youth and Children’s Choirs.
These choirs are made up of volunteers with a wide range of musical experience. -
Conducts regular and supplemental (as necessary) rehearsals for the Adult/Youth and
Children’s Choirs. -
Provides appropriate musical elements for all activities within the music ministry,
including selection of repertoire in consultation with the Pastor in a timely fashion. -
Enhances the expression of faith by incorporating a broad musical spectrum, from
diverse time periods, genres, and cultures. -
Creates videos or audio tracks of instrumentals and/or choir pieces occasionally as
needed for hybrid and online worship. -
Encourages and fosters the musical and artistic talents of all members and worshipers of
UCCSV. -
Serves as primary accompanist as musical needs of the church dictate.
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Supports musical and artistic expression with other faith communities, such as intra- and interfaith services.
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Maintains collegial and productive working relationships with the Pastor and groups
assigned to plan and participate in worship and special services.
Administrative Responsibilities
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Coordinates the use and proper maintenance of UCCSV’s musical instruments, including a Rodgers electronic 2 manual organ with full pedal board and a Yamaha C Series 7 foot grand piano.
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Oversees the maintenance and organization of the UCCSV Music Library.
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Obtains and reports copyright permission to reprint, stream, and record hymns and
songs for the congregation. -
Arranges for a substitute or guest music director, or additional musicians for special
worship services, as necessary. -
Develops, manages, and operates within a yearly budget for UCCSV’s music and arts
ministry in consultation with the Pastor and the Board of Deacons. - Receives direction from the Pastor, collaborates with the worship team, and reports to the Board of Deacons. This includes weekly Church Staff meetings, a monthly report to the Board of Deacons, and periodic worship team meetings.
Qualifications
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â— A minimum of 3 years of experience in choral direction and/or accompaniment.
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â— Piano solo/accompanist skills required (organ experience preferred, but not required).
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â— Experience working with volunteer children and adult/youth choirs with multiple levels
of musical knowledge. -
â— Skills in audio and/or video production or a willingness to learn how to create recorded
tracks and/or videos occasionally as needed for use in hybrid and online worship. -
â— Excellent communication and planning skills.
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â— Formal musical training preferred.
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â— Experience with diverse repertoires from various time periods, genres and cultures.
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â— Ability to enhance the faith experience through music and the arts.
Salary Range & Benefits: $29,000- $32,000 with generous vacation & professional leave.
References will be requested.
Deadline to Apply: May 15th, 2022
How to apply: Email your resume and cover letter to uccofsenecavalley@gmail.com
Links to videos or other examples of your work are appreciated.
