Director of music, Job Description
Trinity Episcopal Parish
Clarksville, TN
General Information
Trinity Episcopal Parish in Clarksville, Tennessee is seeking a skilled and faithful Director of Music whose mission is to worship God and to lead others in warm-hearted worship. Trinity is a vibrant, and growing parish with an opportunity to lead and expand our music ministry.
- The Director will plan and coordinate music for worship services, direct choir, and serve as the organist/pianist.
- The Director will work with the Rector and worship leadership team to develop a strong music program.
- This role requires an experienced church musician who is deeply committed to Episcopal/Anglican worship traditions and is comfortable with a wide range of sacred music.
- The ideal candidate will also have strong leadership and administrative skills and be able to manage a multi-faceted music program in collaboration with clergy, staff, and volunteers.
- Austin Peay State University is located close by, and the Director may have opportunities to collaborate with the music department.
Position Responsibilities
- Service Music Planning: Work with Rector to plan and coordinate music for all worship services, including hymns and service music (Gloria, Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation), across broad liturgies. We are a congregation who enjoys high-quality music in a wide variety of styles.
- Organist/Pianist and Choir Director: Play the organ/piano for regular services, including Sunday worship, weddings, and funerals. Comfort with an organ is preferred, piano is essential. Lead and inspire choir and musicians.
- Leadership and Coordination: Coordinate with the clergy and manage the efforts of Internal and invited musicians as well as service providers.
- Collaboration with Musicians: Foster relationships with local musicians and engage the talent pool at Austin Peay State University (APSU).
- Administration: Oversee the scheduling and coordination of all musical activities, including rehearsals and performances, and ensure smooth operation of the music program. Manage maintenance and care of instruments. Work with Rector and Parish Administrator to ensure accurate information is distributed and/or printed in Trinity media and publications, to include bulletins, weekly newsletter, and social media posts. Submit yearly budget for music ministry. Attend all Worship and Liturgy meetings. Meet regularly with Rector.
- Perform other duties as directed by the Rector.
- Position reports directly to the Rector.
Essential Qualifications
- Faith and Character: Strong Christian faith
- Episcopal/Anglican Worship Experience: Familiarity with the breadth of Episcopal/Anglican liturgical traditions, from high church to broad church styles, and the ability to plan services that inspire deep worship through music.
- Musical Competence
- Excellence in leading congregational singing that supports a balance between
- Vocals and instruments.
- Ability to teach, inspire and bring out the best in choirs and musicians.
- Broad musical ability, with proficiency in both classical and modern musical idioms.
- Organ preferred; piano proficiency is required.
- Administrative Skills: Strong organizational and administrative abilities, with experience managing a team and working with volunteers.
- Team Chemistry: A collaborative spirit and the ability to motivate others.
- Must pass criminal background check.
- Complete Safe Church certification.
Desired Qualifications
- Degree in Music or Church Music (Organ, Conducting, or related field), or equivalent certifications.
- Experience planning and leading music for Anglican or Episcopal liturgies, including curating a music library.
- Ability to work with diverse musical traditions and incorporate them into worship.
- Exceptionally strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Requires ability to walk, stand and sit, sometimes for extended periods of time.
- Prior experience as an organist or choir director preferred.
About our Instruments, Choir, and Resources
- Trinity’s Instruments. Our music ministry is blessed with an abundance of world-class instruments. This includes a pipe organ, harp, electric piano, baby grand piano, and set of 4.5 Octave Hand Bells.
- Choir regularly sings at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service, as well as extra services throughout the year.
- Information about Trinity's Pipe Organ: https://www.photographybystein.com/tnorgans/clarkstrinityepis/trinityepisclarksmain.htm
About Trinity
Trinity Episcopal Parish in Clarksville, Tennessee, is a vibrant church in a growing city. Since 1832, we’ve built a significant presence in historic downtown Clarksville and Montgomery County. Our culture unites lay leaders and clergy in casting a shared vision of forming people into the body of Christ.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a salaried, part-time 20-hour a week position. Salary commensurate with experience.
The Selection Process
- We invite candidates who feel called to this position to submit a resume and cover letter along with recordings of recent performances to The Rev. Chad McCabe or contact us here.
- Finalists will be invited to Trinity for in-person interviews, including leading a choir rehearsal of pieces both familiar and unfamiliar to the choir. Candidates will also play a hymn, Gloria, Sanctus, and Fraction Anthem from the 1982 Episcopal Hymnal and organ/piano selections suitable for a service prelude or postlude, which demonstrate a high level of proficiency on the instrument.
- The search process will be collaborative with ultimate decision by the rector.
We look forward to welcoming a Director of Music who will build on our strong music ministry foundation and lead us into a bright future.
Trinity Episcopal Parish
317 Franklin Street
Clarksville, TN 37040
(931) 645-2458
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