In search of
Director of Music Ministries
Stephens Valley Church in Nashville, TN is seeking a full-time Director of Music Ministries to join its congregation and lead the music program.
ABOUT STEPHENS VALLEY CHURCH
Stephens Valley Church (SVC) is an independent church that affirms Reformed theology as summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith. SVC purposes to love the church, the city, and the world with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Worship at SVC is God-centered and adheres to a historical, creedal, and confessional liturgy. We embrace the rich heritage of sacred music from all ages over the centuries.
Located in one of the fastest expanding suburban areas of Nashville, SVC is in its sixth year of ministering to this fellowship of believers and the surrounding communities. SVC moved to its permanent campus in 2020 and has completed its initial building phase. With its commitment to Biblical preaching, the church experiences steady growth. The music program, with both adult and children’s choirs, is integral to worship and the life of the church.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Director of Music Ministries is a full-time, salaried staff position with benefits. The Director plans, supervises, and directs the music program. Currently, this includes the adult choir, which sings during the Sunday morning service as well as special seasonal musical offerings with orchestra. The Director is charged with growing this program. As an important member of the leadership staff, the Director also nurtures spiritual growth and strives to build fellowship of those under his care. The Director will work closely with the Senior Pastor to prepare a unified and cohesive worship service. The Director will work with other staff members, including the Organist, Children’s Choir Coordinator, AV media technician, and music librarian.
SVC is governed by a Council consisting of the Senior Pastor and Ruling Elders. The Director will work under the oversight of the Council, reporting directly to the Church Administrator.
SVC desires that the music ministry be defined by:
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The excellent use of music to glorify God and with praise, conviction, and passion for Christ.
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Music consistent with the tenants of the Reformed tradition. While the skills and talent of musicians are valued and appreciated, the execution should be seen not as a ‘performance’ or ‘production’ but rather as worship ultimately to the praise and glory of God.
The Director and his family will be faithful members of SVC, enthusiastically serving within this community of faith, and actively participating in all aspects of church life.
Qualifications
The Director should have a personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and demonstrate a life of loving and serving Him. The ideal candidate personally ascribes to the doctrines of the Reformed faith and is committed to the quality, dignity, taste, style, and appropriateness of music in worship consistent with this theology.
The Director should have obtained a Bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited college or university, although a Master’s degree is desirable. A minimum of 5 years’ experience (preferably in sacred choral conducting) is required given the size of the music program, budget, and dynamic growth pattern of SVC. The candidate should also be comfortable with conducting instrumental musicians, from small ensembles to a full orchestra. Keyboard proficiency is encouraged.
Specific Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Director include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Weekly rehearsal of the adult choir.
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Weekly Sunday morning worship services, typically coordinating the prelude/postlude, hymns/descants, anthem, and communion music, but could also include introits and choral responses.
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Special music events (e.g., annual Christmas concert, Easter music, and other seasonal concerts as approved). Hire and prepare instrumentalists. Prepare instrumentalists’ scores with necessary performance annotations. If specific instrumental parts are not available from the publisher, the Director’s compositional/arranging competence would be needed.
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Comprehensive planning, coordination, operation, and evaluation of the music ministry. The current program includes adult and children’s choirs, soloists, and ensembles. Commitment to developing a youth choir and a music conservatory are potential future ministries of SVC as resources allow.
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Recruit new volunteer choir members and musicians.
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Availability for consultation/direction for special services, including weddings and funerals.
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Purchase, catalog, and maintain an appropriate library for the needs of the music program outlined above.
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Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all equipment, instruments, and materials of the music department. Supervise maintenance and repair of same.
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Prepare projected budget for the music ministry in cooperation with the appropriate church committees.
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Attend weekly staff meetings and Council meetings as required.
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Perform duties in the church office throughout the week (routine remote work is discouraged).
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Oversee and supervise the work of the church organist and other accompanists.
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Organize and supervise the work of the church audio/visual technician.
Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit the required information below, including your resume with references. Please share a little bit about yourself including why you are interested in this position along with a statement about your faith.