St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, a congregation of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is searching for a full-time church musician of the highest caliber to lead its ministry of music.
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church is a community rich in history, living in the present gifts of God, and eager for the future that lies before it. St. Andrew’s seeks to be a welcoming, embracing community for all peoples, where we wrestle and rejoice in God’s redeeming Word, receive God’s sacraments and live in community with other sojourners.
The Ministry of Music involves choirs of all ages, professional and amateur instrumentalists, fine soloists, a Knabe grand piano, a Schantz pipe organ (three-manuals, 34 ranks, rebuilt in spring 2008) and newly remodeled choir loft in the church sanctuary. The congregation is known in Columbia for its fine music and solid liturgical worship life.
Children play a very special role in the liturgical life of the congregation. Through their singing in choirs and as soloists, monthly “Bible Playday” skits, and participation as worship assistants, they provide leadership for the proclamation of God’s living Word and support congregational song.
Local resources include the University of South Carolina, a strong AGO chapter, various musical festivals and organizations, Newberry College and other institutions. St. Andrew’s enjoys a vibrant relationship with nearby Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship is the primary resource for congregational worship and song. Holy Communion is celebrated at every Sunday morning liturgy and other services are used during weeknights or at other times on a seasonal basis. Common to the worship life of the congregation are services of Evening Prayer, services of the Word for Healing, and nightly services during Holy Week.
The Position description below is only a summary of the responsibilities and desired qualifications of the Director of Music Ministries. For a full position description, please call the church office or write to the Reverend John P. Trump, Senior Pastor at St. Andrew’s. The position is available as of July 2008.
Director of Music Ministries
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Plan and coordinate the entire music ministry, providing leadership and resource to other directors active in the program.
- Working with the Senior Pastor, staff and worship committee; participate in and take lead of planning for worship and other musical activities in the congregation.
- Schedule all choirs, ensembles and worship assistants participating in worship.
- Hold weekly rehearsals and/or provide for direction of all musical ensembles, including the Adult Parish Choir, Children’s Choir, Cherub Choir (volunteer director in place) and Handbell Choirs (work in partnership with the paid director in place).
- Educate and train all musicians participating in the program; recruit and facilitate participation from all age groups within the congregation.
- Make available new resources and ideas to program participants.
- Attend regular staff meetings and work with the Worship & Music Committee or other congregational committees for short- and long-term planning.
- Determine and submit the annual budget requirements for the music ministry and administer the expenditures of the approved budget.
- Maintain the music library and supervise the maintenance of all instruments (organ, pianos, electric keyboard, Orff instruments, hand bells, chimes and other percussion instruments).
- Participate with the church staff, pastor and other leaders in facilitating congregational goals, assuming responsibility for tasks as mutually agreed upon with the supervising pastor.
- Maintain professional competency by practicing, performing, attending continued education opportunities, teaching workshops or seminars, and reading professional journals.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in music or church music required. Master’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Lutheran theology, liturgical practice, and the use of music in worship.
- Demonstrated skill and competency at the keyboard, particularly organ and piano.
- Experience and competency directing choirs of all age groups.
- Experience and competency directing instrumentalists (professional and amateur).
- Ability to work well with others and participate collegially with staff members, pastor and congregational leaders.
- Rostered ELCA leaders are encouraged to apply, though being rostered is not a requirement.
Candidates for the position should submit the following:
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Vita |
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A recording of a recent worship service at which the candidate is the primary musician for the leadership of congregational song. |
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Worship folders or bulletins of recent worship services. |
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A brief statement (no longer than 500 words) on the role of the Director of Music Ministry in faith formation. |
Additionally, a candidate may submit, if applicable:
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An example of a composition for adult or children’s choir. |
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An example of improvisation skills. |
