Choir-Handbell Director
Jacksonville Children's Chorus, Westborough, MA, United States
Job Posting for Choir & Handbell Director – 12.5 hours/week
Good Shepherd is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It is an active 350-member congregation in Westborough, Massachusetts. Our Choir & Handbell Director must have a passion for proclaiming the gospel through music and an appreciation of the importance of music in the ministry of a diverse and vibrant congregation.
Good Shepherd is seeking a musician with a focus on Lutheran ministry for a 12.5 hour per week position. We are seeking a leader to plan and direct music for our hymn‑based 9 am service, special programs, and community events. The Choir & Handbell Director is a member of the staff team for ministry. This team works joyfully together, supports one another and prays with and for each other.
Our other paid church music staff include a Praise Band director for our Contemporary Service, and an Organist for the hymn‑based service who also accompanies the choir. The staff is bolstered by several lay leaders and musicians. Interested individuals may apply or obtain additional information, such as a detailed job description, by email at music@goodshepherdcares.org.
Hours 12.5 hours per week
Core Responsibilities
Participate fully in the life and ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, working with pastors, church staff, and lay leaders to facilitate congregational goals and assume responsibility for tasks as mutually agreed upon with the pastors.
Direct and support special music for the hymn‑based worship service on Sunday mornings, generally involving the adult choir supplemented by handbell choir, children’s choir, children’s chimes, and individuals/small groups from the congregation.
Direct and support special music for Christmas Eve services and Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday).
Provide instrumental accompaniment for singing during Wednesday services during Advent and Lent (piano, guitar, or another appropriate instrument).
Direct the Chancel Choir (adult choir), including rehearsal time, selecting and planning musical offerings, and helping musicians grow in competence and spiritual understanding of their role in worship and leadership. Recruit, nurture, motivate, encourage, inspire, and build community.
Direct the Gospel Ringers Hand Bell Choir, including rehearsal time, selection and planning of music, and creating opportunities for the choir to grow in their skills. Make arrangements for adjusting and repairing the bells and chimes as needed.
Lead and coordinate the Children’s Music program, including music education for Sunday school children during large group gathering time, directing or supporting volunteers who direct our two children’s choirs (Joyful Noise grades 1‑5 and Allegro Chimes grades 4‑high‑school), enriching current programs, scheduling children’s musical offerings in worship, and providing opportunities for musical gifts to share in worship services.
Additional Responsibilities
Annual Budget: determine and submit, with the Worship & Music Committee and Altar Guild, the annual budget requirements for the music program and administer the expenditures of the approved budget.
Music Library: maintain the music library, purchase appropriate licenses for performance and streaming, schedule piano tuning twice per year, and purchase music and other supplies.
Worship Planning: meet with pastors, staff, and lay leaders for worship planning, coordinate weekly with the organist and collaborate with the contemporary music team (New Direction) for music for single‑service Sundays and blended holiday services. Advise pastors regarding hymn accessibility, teach new hymns, and advise when necessary.
Work with the Worship & Music Committee for input on music matters; the committee meets once per month in the evening with a longer meeting in May for upcoming year.
Recruit, facilitate, and communicate: support and educate all musicians, recruit participation from all ages, communicate with participants and parents about schedules and upcoming music, and provide information for the church newsletter.
Maintain professional competency by practicing, performing, attending continuing education opportunities, and reading professional journals; encourage participation in the Boston area Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM).
Be available to assist with funerals when requested and facilitate a Resurrection Choir when needed.
Participate in community ecumenical and synod events; typically include an ecumenical Good Friday or Thanksgiving service every few years.
Perform other tasks as needed, including participating in newcomer gatherings to explain Worship & Music ministry.
Participate in annual staff evaluations.
Expected Schedule September to Mid‑June Sunday 9 am hymn‑based service with children’s music to follow; Chancel Choir rehearsal as needed prior to service (generally 8:15 am‑11:15 am, extend to 11:30 am if singing with the second service).
Wednesday evenings 6 pm‑~8 pm during Advent and Lent.
Thursday evenings 6 pm‑8 pm Chancel Choir and Gospel Ringers (handbell) rehearsals.
Worship & Music committee meetings (2 hours/month or every other month).
Planning and communication as needed.
Mid‑June to August Sunday 8:30 am hymn‑based service.
Choir optional – organize special music contributions from congregation.
No Thursday rehearsals.
Plan for upcoming program year in August.
Planning and communication as needed.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Good Shepherd is seeking a musician with a focus on Lutheran ministry for a 12.5 hour per week position. We are seeking a leader to plan and direct music for our hymn‑based 9 am service, special programs, and community events. The Choir & Handbell Director is a member of the staff team for ministry. This team works joyfully together, supports one another and prays with and for each other.
Our other paid church music staff include a Praise Band director for our Contemporary Service, and an Organist for the hymn‑based service who also accompanies the choir. The staff is bolstered by several lay leaders and musicians. Interested individuals may apply or obtain additional information, such as a detailed job description, by email at music@goodshepherdcares.org.
Hours 12.5 hours per week
Core Responsibilities
Participate fully in the life and ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, working with pastors, church staff, and lay leaders to facilitate congregational goals and assume responsibility for tasks as mutually agreed upon with the pastors.
Direct and support special music for the hymn‑based worship service on Sunday mornings, generally involving the adult choir supplemented by handbell choir, children’s choir, children’s chimes, and individuals/small groups from the congregation.
Direct and support special music for Christmas Eve services and Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday).
Provide instrumental accompaniment for singing during Wednesday services during Advent and Lent (piano, guitar, or another appropriate instrument).
Direct the Chancel Choir (adult choir), including rehearsal time, selecting and planning musical offerings, and helping musicians grow in competence and spiritual understanding of their role in worship and leadership. Recruit, nurture, motivate, encourage, inspire, and build community.
Direct the Gospel Ringers Hand Bell Choir, including rehearsal time, selection and planning of music, and creating opportunities for the choir to grow in their skills. Make arrangements for adjusting and repairing the bells and chimes as needed.
Lead and coordinate the Children’s Music program, including music education for Sunday school children during large group gathering time, directing or supporting volunteers who direct our two children’s choirs (Joyful Noise grades 1‑5 and Allegro Chimes grades 4‑high‑school), enriching current programs, scheduling children’s musical offerings in worship, and providing opportunities for musical gifts to share in worship services.
Additional Responsibilities
Annual Budget: determine and submit, with the Worship & Music Committee and Altar Guild, the annual budget requirements for the music program and administer the expenditures of the approved budget.
Music Library: maintain the music library, purchase appropriate licenses for performance and streaming, schedule piano tuning twice per year, and purchase music and other supplies.
Worship Planning: meet with pastors, staff, and lay leaders for worship planning, coordinate weekly with the organist and collaborate with the contemporary music team (New Direction) for music for single‑service Sundays and blended holiday services. Advise pastors regarding hymn accessibility, teach new hymns, and advise when necessary.
Work with the Worship & Music Committee for input on music matters; the committee meets once per month in the evening with a longer meeting in May for upcoming year.
Recruit, facilitate, and communicate: support and educate all musicians, recruit participation from all ages, communicate with participants and parents about schedules and upcoming music, and provide information for the church newsletter.
Maintain professional competency by practicing, performing, attending continuing education opportunities, and reading professional journals; encourage participation in the Boston area Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM).
Be available to assist with funerals when requested and facilitate a Resurrection Choir when needed.
Participate in community ecumenical and synod events; typically include an ecumenical Good Friday or Thanksgiving service every few years.
Perform other tasks as needed, including participating in newcomer gatherings to explain Worship & Music ministry.
Participate in annual staff evaluations.
Expected Schedule September to Mid‑June Sunday 9 am hymn‑based service with children’s music to follow; Chancel Choir rehearsal as needed prior to service (generally 8:15 am‑11:15 am, extend to 11:30 am if singing with the second service).
Wednesday evenings 6 pm‑~8 pm during Advent and Lent.
Thursday evenings 6 pm‑8 pm Chancel Choir and Gospel Ringers (handbell) rehearsals.
Worship & Music committee meetings (2 hours/month or every other month).
Planning and communication as needed.
Mid‑June to August Sunday 8:30 am hymn‑based service.
Choir optional – organize special music contributions from congregation.
No Thursday rehearsals.
Plan for upcoming program year in August.
Planning and communication as needed.
#J-18808-Ljbffr