Director of Music Ministries & Organist

First United Methodist Church - Tupelo, MS ("FUMC" or "the church") is seeking qualified candidates to apply for the position of Director of Music Ministries and Organist.  The current Director is retiring after thirty-seven (37) years of faithful and dedicated service to the church. 

FUMC celebrated its Sesquicentennial in 2017 and has a membership of over 1,500 people. Members of this historic downtown church have played a vital role in all areas of the Tupelo community for decades. FUMC continues to lead the way in race relations, local missional, and outreach projects, and is a community of faith where all are welcome.

The church has a long history of a dynamic music ministry which is revered and recognized throughout our state and the region.  We have many ways to participate in the music ministries and they include four children’s choirs, a Youth Choir, an advanced hand-bell choir, and the Chancel Choir. Church instrumentalists and pianists are also utilized regularly. Each Sunday there are three morning services – two traditional services in the Sanctuary and one contemporary service in the Fellowship Hall. A wide variety of musical styles is regularly incorporated into the traditional worship services. The Chancel Choir currently has a membership of fifty singers and rehearses and sings twelve months of the year. The Chancel Choir presents musical services with orchestra and has been a featured choir with the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra two times in the last several years. All other choirs are active from August until May.

The Sanctuary organ, a beautiful free-standing mechanical action instrument was custom designed and custom built by Gabriel Kney in 1991. It consists of 32 stops and 41 ranks. The church also has wonderful Yamaha pianos for use in the Sanctuary. Other resources include a large dedicated music suite; a five octave set, a three octave set and a two octave set of Schulmerich Hand-bells; a five octave set and a two octave set of Schulmerich Hand-chimes; and a large group of Orff instruments and African drums.

For more information about our church, please visit www.fumctupelo.com.

Following is the job description which covers the expected duties and responsibilities of the position.  We will consider, however, amending the job if needed, namely separating the duties of the organist into a separate role. 

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH-TUPELO

Job Description

Director of Music Ministries and Organist

SUMMARY

The Director of Music Ministries and Organist (Director) reports directly to the Senior Pastor and is responsible for the coordination, planning, and administration of the overall dynamic music ministry at First United Methodist Church – Tupelo (FUMC). The Director will develop, implement, and promote all aspects of the music ministries of FUMC including but not limited to vocal choirs, handbell choirs, pianists, organists, and other instrumentalists, and will actively engage the congregation in glorifying God in worship through music in both traditional and non – traditional worship settings, special worship events, weddings, and funerals.

The Director should be willing and able to incorporate a wide variety of musical styles into the worship settings at FUMC, utilizing the skills and talents of lay people in vocal choirs, handbell choirs, and various instrumentalists.

The Director should be able to play the organ or piano while simultaneously directing a choir and/or other instrumentalists.

AVAILABILITY

The Director of Music Ministries is a full – time salaried position. The Director will maintain regular office hours with considerations for expected after – hours choir rehearsals and Sunday worship service requirements and make time for personal practice. At times, the Director will be required to work on their days off for weddings and funerals as requested and/or required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director is expected to perform all essential duties and responsibilities in a professional manner and in accordance with all church policies and procedures including the most current publication of the United Methodist Book of Discipline.

To perform this job successfully and professionally, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty to his or her utmost ability. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential duties and responsibilities of the Director include the but are not limited to the following:

Leadership and Musical Skills

• Possess or develop a clear understanding of United Methodist theology and knowledge of Christian worship.
• Advanced training in choral conducting and the ability to conduct an orchestra.
• Proficient in piano.
• Proficient in organ.
• Proficient in sight reading.
• Ability to play organ/piano and simultaneously conduct choirs and other instrumentalists.
• Ability to effectively train, motivate, inspire, and lead others.
• Ability to organize and manage resources and people.
• Ability and desire to learn and embrace a wide variety of musical styles with integrity.
• Promote the advancement of other arts in worship and in the life of the church.

Musical Direction

• Provide vision and creative leadership in the areas of worship, music, and the arts.
• Work with Senior Pastor and other clergy to plan and coordinate traditional and non – traditional worship services including the planning and selection of music which upholds the theology of the United Methodist Church.
• Provide a variety of musical opportunities for children, youth, and adults including participating in the various vocal and hand-bell choirs or as instrumental soloists and accompanists.
• Conduct Chancel and Youth Choir rehearsals on Wednesday and Sunday evenings respectively, and on Sunday mornings, including special services and ceremonies as requested and/or required.
• Recruit, train, and equip the laity to serve in musical leadership and performing roles.
• Direct choirs for special events including but not limited to Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and other special services.
• Secure organist and other instrumentalists for special events including special worship services, weddings, funerals, and others as required.
• Conduct a Chancel Choir choral service with orchestra at Christmas and for other special worship services.
• In addition to Sunday Morning Worship Services, design and lead Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas Eve and in other special liturgical services.
• Oversee a fully graded choir ministry for children ages 3 through grade 6.

Organist

• Serve as primary Organist in the Traditional worship services.
• Recruit as necessary a substitute organist.
• Ensure that church organ is properly maintained and cared for, including regular service and tuning.
• Rehearse and preform with other instrumentalists as necessary.

Musical Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact for music planning for traditional and non – traditional worship services, special services, weddings, and funerals.
• Provide song lyrics and other information to appropriate staff for inclusion in weekly service bulletins and other in-service formats.
• Maintain regular communication with choir members and instrumentalists via email or other forms of mass communication.
• Coordinate and select music for instrumentalists and pianists.
• Serve as a support musician for other ministry areas of the church (Preschool, UMW, etc.)
• Consult with brides to plan music for weddings.
• Plan music associated with funerals as required.
  

Worship Coordination

• Serve as primary designer (lay-out; selections of prayers and hymns, etc.) of traditional and non – traditional special worship services including Sunday, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and other special services.
• Coordinate Acolyte and Crucifer Schedules and send instructions for special services.
• Secure lay readers for worship services when needed.
• Serve as a consultant and advisor to the Altar Guild.
• Serve as staff member liaison to the Worship Committee, Altar Guild, and other committees as directed by the Senior Pastor.

Management of Music Department

• Prepare and maintain a department budget and oversee all purchases related to music such as anthems, resources, robes, instruments, instrumentalists, etc.
• Supervise subordinate music support staff in a positive manner.
• Make recommendations to the Senior Pastor and the SPRC to conduct personnel actions such as hiring and terminations, complete annual performance evaluations, recommend wage rate adjustments, and carry out any disciplinary actions for any personnel who directly report to the Director.
• Oversee the maintenance of all musical equipment and instruments under the care, custody, and control of FUMC.
  
• Ensure either personally or by delegation the following: that choir members are assigned numbers, robes, and hymnals; that choir robing rooms are well maintained and organized; that all music and other resources are organized, catalogued, and well maintained, that a system to maintain props, costume room and all other music resources is in place and maintained; documentation of performance records and attendance records for all choir members and musicians.

Other

• Attend annual workshops, schools, or seminars to keep up with new music and trends such The Fellowship of United Methodists Music & Worship Arts Week at Lake Junaluska, and the Biennial National Convocation.

• Attend the annual conference of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church as requested.
• Attend regular staff meetings and Administrative Council meetings.
• Function as part of the ministry team.
• Perform other reasonable tasks at the request of the Senior Pastor.
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation, which does not create undue hardship, will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing this job employee will be required to stand (sometimes for extended periods of time), walk, sit, talk, hear and see; use fingers to handle or feel, push and pull; stoop, kneel, climb; reach with arms and feel with hands and fingers and feet.
• At times the Director will need to be able to direct and/or play instruments outdoors and in dim/low/dark lit conditions.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education And/or Experience

• Masters of Church or Sacred Music and at least five years in church music preferred. An advanced degree in choral conducting and/or organ performance may be used as a substitute.

Computer Skills

• Ability to use e-mail and the internet.
• Knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Office products such as Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability and willingness to learn various church software.

Language Skills

• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to ask pertinent questions related to job duties.
• Ability to communicate effectively and courteously with all persons.
• Must be able to read, write, and understand the English language.

Certifications, Licenses and Registration

• Must possess a valid Driver's License and a Social Security number and card.
• Must have no outstanding criminal issues.
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Interested applicants should submit their cover letter, resume, and if possible, recordings demonstrating their abilities through the website: https://www.fumctupelo.com/director-of-music-ministries--organist.html 

Questions about the position may be directed to the search committee by emailing fumctupelomusic@gmail.com