Description
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND CHORAL CONDUCTOR/ ORGANIST
St. John United Methodist Church, 736 Greene St. Augusta, Ga 30901
Position: Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)
Salary Range: $60,000-$75,000 (Commensurate with experience) plus Benefits
Website: www.stjohnaugusta.org
Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) in choral conducting, organ performance, church music, or sacred music.
Since 1798, St. John United Methodist Church has been a vibrant and welcoming pillar of spiritual and cultural life in Augusta, Georgia. The Director of Music at St. John United Methodist Church is an artistic leader who understands that church music is fundamentally about worship and ministry. This role requires managing a variety of different collaborating situations– choirs, staff, concerts, other professional musicians, budgets, and volunteers.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Musical Excellence
Exceptional organ performance abilities, including hymn playing, and advanced repertoire.
Strong choral conducting skills.
Experience developing and leading volunteer choirs assisted by section leaders.
Knowledge of traditional sacred music repertoire across historical periods and styles.
Understanding of liturgical planning and the role of music in worship.
A personal record of progression in musical leadership and reputation.
Professional Experience
Demonstrated success leading music programs at churches or the clear potential to do so.
Demonstrated comfort working with choir, staff, volunteers, professional and international musicians.
Experience with and commitment to relevant liturgical traditions (United Methodist, Episcopalian/Anglican, Presbyterian or similar).
Interpersonal Qualifications
Artistic confidence conveyed with a spirit of humility.
A collaborative, inviting spirit: a leader with interpersonal gifts to inspire, teach, and build community through music.
Emotional intelligence and sensitivity to volunteer dynamics.
Pastoral presence that connects music to spiritual formation.
A gracious team player who values others’ contributions.
Theological & Spiritual Grounding
Deep personal faith and commitment to Christian ministry.
Understanding of music as theology.
Ability to articulate the spiritual purpose of music in worship.
Comfort with traditional United Methodist (or similar mainline Protestant) theology and practice.
Passion for helping people encounter God through music.
Management & Administrative Capabilities
Attention to detail, strong organizational and communication skills.
Ability to recruit, develop and manage multiple choirs, staff, and programs.
Scheduling, contracting, and incorporating additional instrumentalists as needed.
Maintaining music library; overseeing librarian and section leaders.
Recruiting and managing choral scholars.
Additional Advantageous Experience
Advanced degrees in choral conducting, church music, sacred music, organ performance, or ancillary fields.
Experience supporting (if not actually leading) children’s, youth, or handbell choirs as part of a fully dynamic music program.
Skills in strategic planning and budgeting.
Connections in the church music world.
Active involvement in professional organizations (e.g., AAM, AGO, ACDA).
THE CHOIRS
Chancel Choir: This 30-member volunteer choir (including four section leaders) provides music for worship year-round. The choir has toured internationally, performing in venues including Westminster Abbey (one week residency), St. Giles Cathedral Edinburgh, Bruton Parish Church Williamsburg, and for events like the North Georgia Annual Conference. They have performed under the direction of many prominent guest conductors, including John Rutter, Joseph Flummerfelt, Alice Parker, Mack Wilberg, Andre Thomas, Henry Leck, Eric Nelson, and Amanda Quist.
Junior Choir: this youth ensemble (2nd grade through high school) participates in leading the worship service at least four times a year.
Cherub Choir: this young ensemble (pre-K through 1st grade) joins with the Junior Choir, on occasion, during worship.
THE ORGAN
St. John is home to a Dobson pipe organ, opus 78, installed in 2003. Designed and built for our sanctuary by the Dobson Pipe Organ Builders of Lake City, Iowa, this three-manual, mechanical action instrument has 42 ranks of pipes (2,172 in all).
St. John has played host to many world renowned organists such as Olivier Latry, Paul Jacobs, Nathan Laube, Bradley Welch, Ken Cowan, Isabelle Demers, and David Higgs.
THE MUSIC
Weekly: Sunday morning service and choir rehearsal
Concerts with a Cause: A rich series of concerts featuring guest soloists, choirs, and chamber ensembles from around the world, including at least one concert showcasing the St. John Organ (Dobson opus 78).
Annually: An extensive variety of special services and festivals in addition to music tied to specific days (e.g., Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Easter & Christmas).
Occasions: Weddings and Funerals
APPLICANT SUBMISSION PROCESS:
All applicants are required to submit pre-screening materials (see list below) in order to be considered for an invitation to audition in person. Materials may be submitted via email to: [email protected].
1. Video Submission:
Video of a choral selection demonstrating conducting ability.
Video of two contrasting organ pieces.
Each piece should be unedited–fixed camera recorded in one take.
Recordings should be no more than one year old.
Each piece can be submitted separately or in one video.
2. Cover letter, resumé and short biography.
3. List of three references with current contact information (phone & email).
Email to: [email protected]
Requirements
Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) in choral conducting, organ performance, church music, or sacred music.
Exceptional organ performance abilities, including hymn playing, and advanced repertoire.
Strong choral conducting skills.
Experience developing and leading volunteer choirs assisted by section leaders.
Knowledge of traditional sacred music repertoire across historical periods and styles.
Understanding of liturgical planning and the role of music in worship.
A personal record of progression in musical leadership and reputation.
Professional Experience
Demonstrated success leading music programs at churches or the clear potential to do so.
Demonstrated comfort working with choir, staff, volunteers, professional and international musicians.
Experience with and commitment to relevant liturgical traditions (United Methodist, Episcopalian/Anglican, Presbyterian or similar).
Additional Advantageous Experience
Advanced degrees in choral conducting, church music, sacred music, organ performance, or ancillary fields.
Experience supporting (if not actually leading) children’s, youth, or handbell choirs as part of a fully dynamic music program.
Skills in strategic planning and budgeting.
Connections in the church music world.
Active involvement in professional organizations (e.g., AAM, AGO, ACDA).
APPLICANT SUBMISSION PROCESS:
All applicants are required to submit pre-screening materials (see list below) in order to be considered for an invitation to audition in person. Materials may be submitted via email to: [email protected].
1. Video Submission:
Video of a choral selection demonstrating conducting ability.
Video of two contrasting organ pieces.
Each piece should be unedited–fixed camera recorded in one take.
Recordings should be no more than one year old.
Each piece can be submitted separately or in one video.
2. Cover letter, resumé and short biography.
3. List of three references with current contact information (phone & email).
Email to: [email protected]
