Music Director
Start Date: The current music director is retiring on June 1, 2025. We would like to hire before then.
Job Overview
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Music Director to lead our music program and inspire our community through the power of music. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in music education and performance, along with exceptional leadership skills. This role involves overseeing all musical activities, mentoring musicians, and fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and growth. The music director is an important leader in a congregation that works for social justice, is LGBTQ affirming, and welcomes immigrants. The ability to work in a multicultural, progressive church is required.
Responsibilities
- Lead and direct musical ensembles, ensuring high-quality performances and rehearsals, including the sanctuary choir and hand bell choir (which take the summer off).
- Educate students in music theory, composition, and performance techniques.
- Recruit members to the choirs.
- Encourage participation from the entire congregation – even if they cannot be a part of one of the official choirs – for solos and special music offerings.
- Connect to area musicians for special concerts and guest performances, especially in the summer and around the holidays.
- Collaborate with the pastor and worship team to present cohesive worship experience that incorporates a theme within the sermon, Bible text, congregational hymns, and other music.
Qualifications
- Proven experience in music direction or a similar role within an educational or community setting.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire others.
- Excellent communication skills to effectively convey ideas and instructions.
- Experience in working with a variety of ages and cultures. In the past music in this church has included a children’s choir, an African choir, and a ukulele choir. The ability to incorporate the wide diversity of the congregation into the music ministry would be a huge benefit.
- A degree in Music Education, Music Performance, or a related field is preferred but not mandatory.
- A passion for music and a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all participants.
- A spiritual life that can provide leadership among the groups is preferential, but not required.
Join us in making a positive impact through music! We are an inclusive congregation that welcomes all. Help provide the musical leadership that inspires the growth of the Beloved Community in Rock Island.
To Apply: Email resume and cover letter to office@tworiversumc.org or mail to 1820 5th Ave. Rock Island, IL 61201
Hand Bell Choir Director
Overview
We are seeking a dynamic leader to direct our hand bell choir. This is a small choir of volunteers that plays at least once a month. The hand bell choir usually does not meet in the summer.
Responsibilities
- Provide a hand bell anthem at least once per month during the nine-month choir year.
- Provide additional music during other special worship seasons such as Lent and Advent as time, abilities, and personnel allows.
- Rehearsals are scheduled as needed by director (typically adjacent with the sanctuary choir, to allow volunteer members to attend both rehearsals)
- Rehearse before the 9:30 service on the Sundays in which bell choir is playing
- Oversee the care, maintenance, storage, transportation, and repair of the handbells and related equipment.
- Review, select, and oversee purchase of new music appropriate to the ability and makeup of the choir.
- Recruit and train new members of the choir.
- Participate, in conversation with pastor and music director, in off-site services and bell choir festivals.
To Apply: Email resume and cover letter to office@tworiversumc.org or mail to 1820 5th Ave. Rock Island, IL 61201
