Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Durham, N.C., is seeking an Interim Music Director. Principal responsibilities include planning and coordinating music for all worship services and relevant rehearsals (to total approximately 20-25 hours per week). Trinity’s worship style is a traditional liturgy; its diverse music reflects a wide range of musical influences and includes choral, organ, piano, handbells, and other instruments. The organ is a 1925 Skinner in a historic sanctuary with excellent acoustics. The Music Director directs an adult choir and handbells. The Music Director is supervised by the Senior Pastor.
During the current pandemic, the church is holding virtual, online services. As such, music is generally included in services via audio & video recordings, and we are open to remote candidates for this role (i.e., persons not physically located in Durham, NC). This interim position is expected to continue up to the start of in-person services, currently expected to be in or around June or July 2021.
Core responsibilities:
Select music for services, choir, and handbells (in coordination with pastor)
Conduct regular (remote) rehearsals for vocal choir and handbell choir
Coordinate choral & instrumental soloists from inside & outside the congregation
Minimum qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree with a major in music, or equivalent experience
Comfort w/ technology in remote music & worship services
Strong musical instrument skills (piano, organ, or other)
Perform (remote/recorded) music as part of virtual services
Capable organist
Experience serving as organist & choir director simultaneously
Experience in directing or ringing handbells
Oversee maintenance of organ and pianos
Theological education
Extensive knowledge of church music literature
Spiritual commitment to leading music as an act of worship
Preference will be given to applicants with experience working in a church setting and coordinating music programming with the pastor and staff.
Salary Range:
$1,500 - $2,500/month, commensurate with experience and responsibilities
Start date: On or around February 22, 2021
To apply: Send a cover letter with a resume and a statement of your philosophy of church music to the Search Committee at jobs@trinitydurham.org. All applications must be submitted electronically via email. The application deadline is February 1, 2021.
