Open Position: Director of music

Director of Music

Job Description

Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church


Please note: while we are currently accepting applications, this position will not begin until August 15, 2026.


The Director of Music (DOM) leads the music ministry at BRPC from August 15th – June 15th each year on a part-time basis, approximately 10 hours per week. Music is a vital means by which we worship and glorify God and deepen our faith; it is central to our faith experience at BRPC. The specific responsibilities of the Director of Music include:


Planning of Music for Worship

  •          Meet regularly with the Pastor, Assistant Director of Music (ADOM), and Tech Ministry volunteers to help shape weekly and special services of worship.
  •          Participate in staff meetings as requested by the Pastor. 
  •          Serve as an ex-officio member of the Worship Committee and attend monthly meetings  to coordinate worship services.
  •          Coordinate as necessary with the Tech Ministry Team, including providing sheet music and typed lyrics for the weekly anthem.
  •          Coordinate with ADOM in procuring instrumentalists or solos for services as needed.
  •          Coordinate with ADOM in procuring substitutes for DOM and ADOM as needed.
  •          Lead a  music program that offers diversity in both musical styles and inclusive language.
  •          Be prepared to follow the liturgical year, Revised Common Lectionary, and topics of special series in the worship services as determined by the Pastor.  If the lectionary and liturgical year are unfamiliar, must learn and respectfully observe these traditions.

Directing of Choirs

  •          Direct church choir rehearsals.
  •          Direct church choir in weekly and special worship services.
  •          Choose anthems for the choir, and coordinate with the Pastor and ADOM to plan special music.
  •          Nurture participation by the congregation in church choirs. Church choirs serve not only the purpose of providing music for worship, but also become places in the life of the church where people find a place of belonging.

Reporting and Supervision

  •          Report directly to the Pastor. Performance will be monitored by the Pastor and the Personnel Committee.
  •          Coordinate with the ADOM on a weekly basis for the music needs of the church. The ADOM  ultimately reports to the Pastor.
  •         The Pastor may assign other music-related duties as needed.
  •          Submit all expenditure vouchers to the Worship Committee for approval at their monthly meetings.  Expenditures should not be made without committee approval.

Communication

  •          Communicate with all members of the church, and with the broader public about musical offerings at BRPC. This includes contributing articles for the monthly and weekly church newsletter, seeing that choir information is on the church website, and other means as appropriate.
  •          Clearly communicate choice of anthem to the appropriate staff and volunteers, as well as the choir each week.  A list of upcoming anthems is preferred but flexible.

 

Administration and Instrument Care

  •          Purchase all music. The DOM should strive for a varied range of music.
  •          With the Music Librarian, maintain the music library filing system for all choirs and bell groups.
  •          Coordinate with ADOM to maintain and tune musical equipment
  •          Maintain bells and equipment.
  •          Ensure that anthems and hymns to copyright holders at least once per month.

Compensation

  • The Director of Music will receive a yearly salary of $15,000 per year.
  • The Director of Music receives four (4) Sundays of paid vacation time. The substitute music director (if necessary) will be paid $50 for leading Wednesday rehearsal and $50 during worship on Sunday. Reimbursements for substitutions beyond the fourth absence is the responsibility of the Director of Music.
  • Paid holidays include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr Birthday, Monday after Easter, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday after, and Christmas Day.  If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it will be observed the following Monday.  Please note that religious holidays, such as Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday, are working days for this position.

Qualifications include the following:

  •          Experience in choral direction.
  •          A degree in music is preferred, but not required.
  •          Joy in building community and praising God through music. 
  •     Church members are not eligible to apply or be hired for this position.
  •     BRPC is an LGBTQIA+ affirming congregation.

To Apply:


  •         Please email your resume and cover letter to Personnel Committee Moderator Jo Riggs at <cjoriggs@yahoo.com>. You should anticipate receiving a confirmation of receipt within 5 business days; if you do not hear back from us, please contact the church office directly.