Church of the Foothills (UCC and DOC), Santa Ana, California, seeks a creative, collaborative, and flexible music director to lead our music ministry, a vital part of our worship. We are a progressive Open & Affirming church community with a strong commitment to the work of inclusion and justice. Music is one way we inspire our community toward a vision of God’s wholeness and welcome. We incorporate a wide range of music and worship styles in our weekly gatherings, from traditional to contemporary, secular to sacred works.
A centerpiece of our Music Ministry is a 20-25 member intergenerational choir with various voices at all skill levels. In recent years, our choir has collaborated with other local congregations for an Annual Music Program, performance tours in Hawaii, and Advent and Christmas productions.
Our next candidate will find a joyful, loving community with a great sense of humor and a Senior Minister and staff who want to collaborate to live into the church’s mission.
This is a salaried, part-time position. The Director is responsible for choir leadership spanning 10 months, planning the music during the summer break, and supporting extra services and rehearsals as required. A successful candidate must be familiar with sacred and secular music in an eclectic range of styles, especially pieces that speak to our commitment to progressive theology. They must also be able to plan and coordinate the music program with the Pastor and Worship Committee and demonstrate expertise in conducting a choir.
Qualifications:
- Commitment to a diverse musical program that embraces progressive theology.
- Conductor training as evidenced by a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in conducting or music education and/or accumulated podium time.
- Able to rehearse Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings before the service.
- Lead the music team, other musicians (including non-classical musicians), and special music, especially by mentoring emerging talent.
- Recruit and develop new volunteer singers/choir members and musicians.
- Be comfortable leading worship through singing on Sunday mornings.
- Possess strong interpersonal skills, including being organized, working as a team player, and having oral and writing skills.
- Familiar with technological tools for worship planning, including PowerPoint.
- Comfortable collaborating with a growing AV team as worship services and events are live-streamed for long-distance congregants.
- Demonstrated planning and administrative skills.
- Available for monthly meetings as required.
Salary is commensurate with experience, including vacation, optional pension plan, and budget for music expenditures.
Ideal start date: Sep. 10, 2023
Please apply by July 21, 2023.
For more information, please contact Cristina Flores at the Church Office: 714- 544-1319 or send your resume to: churchoffice@chotf.org. To find out more about us, we encourage you to visit our Church website: www.churchofthefoothills.org