OGLETHORPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

MUSIC DIRECTOR / ORGANIST POSITION
Permanent Part-Time ● 12 Hours a Week ● $18,000 Annual Salary ● Supervised by Pastor
A degree in music and experience directing a choir are required.
Experience directing a bell choir is desirable.
Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church (OPC) is…
An intergenerational community where God’s children of all ages are called to connect with one another, participate, and lead in the life of the church. OPC is a loving community that believes in offering opportunities to grow in faith through worship, education, and music. OPC is a church that is always looking outward to serve the needs of the community as Christ leads. OPC is a church of welcome, seeking to cultivate a sense of belonging for all who are seeking a church home.
Worship at OPC is…
Intentional in liturgy, creative in expression, and relaxed in atmosphere. We worship at one service every Sunday morning (11am during the year, 10am in the summer), along with occasional special services (Advent and Holy Week services, Taize prayer services, services of healing and wholeness). Hymns are traditionally sung along with an organ or piano, although sometimes with more contemporary instrument arrangements. Our chancel choir practices at 9:45am on Sunday mornings and sings an anthem during the Sunday morning service. Our hand bell choir practices Wednesday evenings at 6:45pm and generally plays once a month during Sunday morning services. The children of our church spend the first 15 minutes of the church school hour singing in children’s choir, which occasionally sings during Sunday morning services.
Our worship space has a Renaissance Quantum electric organ and a Yamaha Grand Piano. We also have an acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, along with a 5 piece drumset. We have funding for a couple of choral scholars who sing with our chancel choir.
We are seeking a candidate who…
1) Understands and is able to express how music weaves into the worship liturgy of the Christian faith.
2) Can select and arrange music that connects with the theme of each worship service and meets the gifts of the choir and congregation.
3) Is open to a diverse range of musical expression and instrumentation in worship services, drawing out the musical gifts of the community.
4) Has experience with a wide range of church music literature.
5) Has experience leading congregational singing on the piano and/or organ.
6) Is willing to commit to the principles of worship in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
7) Is able to pass criminal and sexual misconduct background checks.
We expect our Music Director to…
1) Offer music ministry leadership for growth, service, and connection of OPC members and participants.
2) Select music for upcoming services in consultation with the pastor.
3) Recruit, rehearse, and lead worship with adult soloists and groups, currently including the Chancel Choir, the Handbell Choir, and the OPC Band, for Sunday worship services and special services.
4) Recruit, audition, and hire paid vocalists within budget limits.
5) Coordinate and direct special services, such as Songs of the Season and Taizé services.
6) Within the church budget, purchase and maintain music documents and instruments.
7) Arrange for substitutes during times away from OPC.
8) Attend monthly staff meetings.
9) In coordination with church leadership:
a) Oversee the sanctuary audio system of OPC.
b) Provide for the maintenance of OPC’s musical instruments: organ, handbells, and pianos.
c) Provide for the maintenance of Choir vestments (robes – washable; stoles – dry-cleaned).
d) Manage the music-related designated accounts and budget line items.
The Music Director will not be required to provide music for funerals and weddings, however they will be consulted and provided an opportunity to participate with separate compensation.
The Music Director is expected to behave in accordance to the Personnel Policies of Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church, reflecting the values of this church. All church staff are expected to embody good communication skills, a spirit of teamwork, and thoughtful decision making.
The Music Director will be expected to pass a background check. Once hired, he/she will also be required to complete Partners in Prevention – Darkness to Light child protection training.