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The Reformed Church of Bronxville

Position: Director of Music

Status: Full time

Reports to: Senior Minister

Salary: The role offers a salary range of between $75,000 and $90,000 commensurate with experience.

The Reformed Church of Bronxville is seeking a Director of Music who sees this work as a ministry in which they are sharing their own musical gifts with the church, encouraging and developing those gifts in others, and inspiring all to see music as a joyful way for us to celebrate our faith together. Strong interpersonal skills, a collaborative work ethic, and a creative and energetic outlook are ideal qualities for this position. We are searching for a skilled musician and choral director who demonstrates a desire to build relationships within our growing, multi-generational congregation and increase engagement with our music programs.

Worship and Programs

o Organize and direct music in worship services and all music programs, including adult, youth, and children’s choirs; adult and youth bell choirs; and special concerts and programming.

o Rebuild and lead the adult Chancel Choir with members of the congregation and community, understanding that it is a small-group ministry.

o Build and lead the youth and children’s choirs; develop relationships and explore collaborations with music departments in local schools (Bronxville K-12 is across the street; Tuckahoe and other schools with active music departments are close by); work with the Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries to engage students from those programs in music programs.

o Plan to engage youth and children’s choirs and bell choirs in worship as often as possible (adult Chancel Choir sings at all worship services during the program year.)

o Actively seek to engage congregation members of all ages and skills in performing (with voice or instrument), accompanying, or otherwise participating in the musical elements of worship.

o Select, prepare, and lead music that aligns with the liturgical calendar and sermon/scripture themes.

o Collaborate with the pastoral staff to plan music for all regular, seasonal, festival, and special services.

o Work with ministers to plan music for weddings and funeral services, engaging with families in a pastoral way.

o Collaborate with program staff to incorporate music into youth and mission programs where appropriate.

o Develop and lead an annual series of diverse concerts and performances that engage and enrich the lives of the congregation and community and encourage visitors to the church.

o Actively participate in programs organized by the ministers and program staff as requested.

o Develop and deepen relationships with partnership organizations, including the Concordia Conservatory.

Administration

o Hire and manage part-time professional musicians as required to: serve as organist/pianist in worship and accompanist in choir rehearsals; serve as Handbell Director; serve as soloists/Chancel Choir section leaders; perform as instrumentalists. The need for these positions would depend upon the skills and qualifications of the Music Director; staffing would be done in collaboration with the Senior Minister and Personnel Committee.

o Collaborate with Worship Council Chair and members to encourage volunteer engagement and creatively grow and promote all music programs.

o Manage Music Department budget and special funds; assist when asked with the church’s annual stewardship campaign.

o Plan for and oversee the maintenance of the organ and other church-owned musical instruments.

o Oversee the orderly maintenance of the music library and database of hymns and anthems used in worship. Actively expand the library.

o Acquire and maintain the music, equipment, and supplies required to perform designated duties.

o Attend all regularly scheduled worship planning and staff meetings, Worship Council meetings, and Consistory as requested.

o Work with the Communications Department to publicize and promote music programs.

Who We Are

The Reformed Church of Bronxville (RCB), located in Bronxville, NY, fifteen miles from midtown Manhattan in Westchester County, is a Christ-centered community of individuals who are sincerely interested in building relationships with God; who long to find meaning and purpose in their lives; and who seek opportunities for service and grace for themselves, their families, fellow congregants, and the community.

RCB is a vibrant church community filled with growing and dynamic programs for all ages, including thriving youth programs, Bible study groups, mission teams, and choirs, to name a few. Beyond the programming, however, are our people. People who are filled with joy and sorrow, and who are experiencing life and seeking a community of faith that supports each other every step of the way. People who love to sing and serve and to be mentors and supports to each other. People juggling life with kids and work and sports in some years and aging, life transitions, sickness, and different challenges in others. RCB is a spiritual home where people at different stages in their faith journey can worship together and wrestle with it all, exploring the vast intersections of the Bible with everyday life and supporting each other in our day-to-day lives, all the while keeping our eyes anchored upward on God.

As Jesus would do, RCB welcomes all people into our community regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, physical or mental capacity, education, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic or marital status. RCB is a community for all who want to follow Christ.

Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and playing samples to musicsearch@reformedchurch.org.

Qualifications and Competencies

o Bachelor of Music degree, preferably in Organ, Choral, or Sacred Music required, with additional graduate level studies preferred.

o Demonstrated 3-5 years’ experience leading a church choral music program.

o Demonstrated skill in organ and piano performance.

o Knowledge of the traditional body of music used in worship and liturgy as well as an ability to select and direct music from a variety of cultural and stylistic sources that will enliven worship services in the context of the scriptures/sermons and liturgical calendar.

o Experience hiring and managing part-time staff and musicians.

o Experience in encouraging, motivating, and teaching singers at a range of skill levels.

o Ability to prioritize pastoral care and consideration in all engagement with staff, congregation, community, professional musicians.

o A collaborative leadership style; ability to work cooperatively as part of a staff team.

o Strong communication and organizational skills.

o An active faith and passion for music as a form of worship.