1795 Johnson Ferry Road, NE Marietta, GA

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1 Our Mission is Growing Disciples of Jesus Christ Position Description for the Director of Music at the Episcopal Church of St. Peter & St, Paul, Marietta, GA, May 20, 2014 Summary: The Director of Music is a full time staff member who serves as the organist and choir director for an Adult Choir, a Youth Choir and a Children s Choir. The Director of Music reports directly to the Rector (senior pastor). The mission of the parish and of this ministry is to grow disciples of Jesus Christ. The Director of Music will collaborate with the Rector, staff and volunteers to pursue this mission and the attached vision for the Ministry of Music. St. Peter and St. Paul is an Episcopal parish in sub-urban Atlanta, with ~1200 active members, with average weekend attendance of ~400 people (from three services). Our Saturday night service is a small service without music. We have hymns at the 8:00 AM Sunday service, and our choir (of ~24 adults) sings at the primary service at 10:30 AM. We have had two choirs for children and youth, though they are currently on hiatus this past year, and this new director will lead the effort to restart and develop a Children s Choir and a Youth Choir. We have an excellent organ and piano, and a music library and rehearsal room, with a budget for adding paid singers in the future. Basic responsibilities: Lead all music ministries of the parish on Sunday mornings and Holy Days, Support the Rector for the design of well-integrated liturgy given for the worship of God and as an expression of the prayers and praises of the congregation, in keeping with the attached Vision of the Ministry of Music, Develop singers of all ages as disciples of Jesus Christ through prayer, study and Christian fellowship in keeping with this Vision, Support the mission, vision and ministry of the whole parish, and the integration of choir members of all ages into wider parish life, especially coordinating with the Children s and Youth Ministries, Direct the adult Choir for the 10:30AM service, including weekly rehearsals, currently Wednesday nights from 7:30 9:00, and Sundays at 9:45. The choir sings for Holy Days including Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and multiple Holy Week services, Restart, develop and direct the Children s Choir and Youth Choir (6 th -12 th graders), building toward singing in worship once per month. Historically, these choirs have rehearsed earlier on Wednesday evenings, Personally recruit singers for all choirs and help them develop their musical gifts for ministry, Play the organ for the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM service, Holy Days, funerals, weddings, and other services as required, 1795 Johnson Ferry Road, NE Marietta, GA

2 Direct music for special services including Advent Lessons and Carols, Evensong, or other special worship services as may be planned, Collaborate with clergy and staff through weekly staff meetings, weekly planning meetings with the Rector, monthly worship committee meetings and working cooperatively, most especially with the Youth Minister and Director of Children s Ministry, Pastorally support choir members (as appropriate), in collaboration with clergy and staff, Prepare and maintain the approved Music budget, including hiring and supervising (in coordination with the Rector) of staff singers, instrumentalists, substitutes, and the maintenance of the organ, other parish instruments and the music library. Qualifications A Christian committed to Jesus Christ, and to the church as the body of Christ, Personal and professional character that demonstrates an authentic commitment to Christ and Christian standards, providing a good model for all ages, A vision of the ministry of music consistent with that of this parish, Demonstrated excellence in choral direction to inspire and develop singers of varied ability and create a well-blended ensemble sound, oriented toward the worship of God, Demonstrated excellence in organ and piano (performance & accompaniment) for the worship of God, Demonstrated effectiveness in choral and personal leadership with singers of all ages, Experience with the music of the Anglican Choral tradition, Experience with other styles of Christian music effective for worship, An understanding of and respect for the liturgy of the Episcopal Church, Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching music and singing skills, Demonstrated interpersonal skills and attributes in: o Building trusting relationships with children, teens and adults, o Positive & encouraging leadership, a healthy sense of humor, o Effectively communicating technical musical matters to new singers, o Warm and personal invitation to increase choir participation, o Planning and organizational skills for choir rehearsals, o Collaboration with clergy for liturgical planning, o Effective, direct, healthy communication; solution-oriented problem solving, o Initiative, responsibility, reliability and accountability, o Patience, flexibility, collaboration, active listening, Demonstrated skills in the selection of music for liturgical style, mood, season, and purpose, integrated with the assigned readings and the rest of the liturgy, Ability to build Christian community in choirs, Commitment to continued professional development. Education and experience: A related Undergraduate Degree, with preference for advanced degrees or equivalent, Professional training in choral direction and organ performance, At least five year s experience of church choir direction and organ playing for worship, demonstrating an ability to grow and sustain choirs for adults, children and youth.

3 Background check: Employment is contingent on a successful completion of criminal background check. Three references are required, including at least one personal and one professional reference. Timely completion of Safeguarding God s People and Safeguarding God s Children (training for the prevention of abuse and sexual misconduct) is required upon employment. Compensation and benefits: The position is full time, with salary and benefits (which currently include medical & dental insurance and a 403(b) retirement benefit). Annual salary range is $55,000 70,000, depending upon education, experience and demonstrated abilities. Submit a cover letter and resume by June 23 to The Rev. Tom Pumphrey at tpumphrey@peterandpaul.org Visit us online at (5/20/14) Mission & Vision of Ministry for the Ministry of Music at St. Peter and St. Paul (based on the parish Mission & Vision): 5/20/14 Our Mission is Growing Disciples of Jesus Christ through the Ministry of Music. We are part of this Christian Community, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Active in Worship of God, Discipleship for all ages, Serving Christ in the world. The Ministry of Music in this parish: Is first and foremost for the Worship of God by the whole congregation: Music is part of an integrated liturgy for a coherent experience effective in glorifying Jesus Christ, expressing and supporting the prayers and praises of the congregation, and drawing people into the presence of God. Excellence should be in the service of worshipping God, rather than entertainment of an audience. Music is selected to empower congregational singing (including hymns, service music and communion hymns). Music of this parish is grounded in the Anglican choral tradition, with use of other styles as appropriate and effective. The parish choirs play an essential role in the leadership of worship in this church on Sundays and Holy Days. The choirs emphasis is on leading congregational singing, ensemble singing of the choir, and incorporation of unique talents as appropriate (instruments or vocalists; solo voices to be used judiciously and primarily in support of ensemble or responsive singing). Special musical opportunities are available in special worship services such as Evensong, Choral Eucharist, Advent Lessons & Carols, etc.

4 Children and Youth are integrated into the liturgical and musical leadership of the parish (not as entertainment, but as part of worship), primarily through Children s Choir and Youth Choir, secondarily through collaboration with Children s and Youth ministries. Opportunities for young people to work with adults are welcomed and encouraged. The Ministry of Music also Grows Disciples by learning, prayer and Christian Community: The Ministry of Music is effectively integrated into the life of this Christian Community, in collaboration with leadership and other parish ministries. Selection of texts and musical settings help proclaim the word of God. Choirs grow as disciples through the study of texts and liturgy, prayer and theological reflection. This is especially important for children and youth. Choirs grow in healthy Christian relationships as groups and with the wider congregation. Choir and congregation grow in their musical abilities for the worship of God. This ministry finds a healthy balance of musical excellence and accessibility for new singers, and a healthy balance of known repertoire and new or more challenging music. The Ministry of Music is a source of joy for the choirs (and congregation), and one of the many doors through which people enter the Christian Community and a relationship with Christ. The Choirs are primarily volunteer singers from the parish, with a range of abilities. Paid staff singers primarily support ensemble singing and the musical development of their volunteer peers. Our Basic Programmatic Framework for the Ministry of Music is: Adult Choir, singing regularly at the 10:30 AM service, Two choirs for children and youth (through 12 th grade) will be developed (see development goals below). Historically, we had one for Pre-K through 2 nd grade and one for 3 rd through 8 th grade. These two choirs were on hiatus this past year. Organ and piano as chief instruments of the Director of Music, Other instruments as appropriate, effective and within our resources. Resources for Music: Choir of 24 adults, Library of 800 titles of music, plus anthologies, A.E. Schlueter twelve rank pipe organ interfaced with a three manual Rogers console of excellent sound,

5 Steinway piano (plus 4 upright pianos throughout the buildings) A three octave set of Schulmerich handbells, serviced and refurbished within the last four years (handbell choirs were active , and ; there was no handbell choir this past year), Orff Instruments, Choir practice room and office for the Director. Music budget, which includes funds to begin hiring staff singers in Ministry Development Goals to implement this vision: Sustain and develop the Adult Choir, Restart and build a Children s Choir, Restart and build a Youth Choir for grades 6-12, Hire and develop staff singers within budgeted financial resources, Consider the resources required to restart the Handbell Choir in the future. (5/20/14)