Director of Music and Creative Arts

Summary Description

Metropolitan AME Church seeks to hire a full-time Director of Music and Creative Arts. The Director will facilitate the church’s music and creative arts program during worship and for special events, some of which the director will propose and design. While the desired director will be a capable vocalist and pianist and/or organist, the position also entails teaching others and leading worship. The director, in collaboration with the ministerial staff, helps create an atmosphere of worship for the congregation.

Key and Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position

• Has demonstrated excellence as a worship leader in Black church settings, with extensive (10-15+ years) experience on piano appropriate for worship, working with and directing small musical ensembles and choirs;
• Is a skilled musician who reads music and is able to provide vocal leadership for worship service (traditional hymns and contemporary gospel);
• Is able to direct and work with musicians and vocal choirs;
• Has good communication skills (written and oral), good people skills, and teamwork skills (e.g. ability, to direct, guide, and delicate task accordingly for the benefit of growing and motivating a team.)
• Has exceptional time management skills (beyond starting all rehearsals and services on time) and appropriately balances many priorities;
• Has basic knowledge of technology for both in-person and virtual worship experiences;
• Possesses strong organizational skills with the ability to develop schedules and prepare for worship and special events; and
• Has experience working with creative worship arts beyond music.

At minimum, applicants for this position

• Must share a commitment to the mission, vision, and worship philosophy of Metropolitan AME Church;
• Must have an undergraduate degree in Music or a related field creative arts field or 10-15+ years of semi-professional experience in music;
• Must have professional and spiritual understanding of church music, determined by a history of working specifically in development of musical worship plans;
• Must be able to read music; to arrange and teach vocal parts for anthems, hymns, contemporary, and traditional gospel music;
• Must understand the importance of music and creative arts in worship and spiritual growth and development; and
• Must have administrative experience (including budgeting) and Office 365 competency.

Additional Qualifications

Candidates must also demonstrate

• An ability and desire to provide and accept opportunities for worship and performance at and beyond Metropolitan AME Church (especially in the arts community in the District of Columbia);
• An ability to support graphic and audio-visual needs for the worship experience; and
• An ability and desire to recruit, train, motivate and grow a team of staff and volunteer members for creative arts other than music (liturgical dance and theatre).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with pastor and ministerial staff to choose weekly music and develop creative, inspirational worship services (including soloists, praise team, dance, choirs, etc);
• Lead music needs of Sunday worship service and any special services as needed;
• Help plan and lead special services (all liturgical calendar services, funerals, weddings, Church School, Vacation Bible School, and church ministry activities);
• Work closely with the technology team regarding input on audio and visual needs effected by the ministry;
• Encourage the development of spiritual, musical, artistic, and technical gifts of others (especially children and young adults); and
• Coordinate and empower others to assist in the music and creative arts ministry as needed (including identifying performers within the artistic community as needed).

Job Type and Salary

This position is full-time. Salary is commensurate with experience. Fringe benefits are negotiable.

Auditions

Finalists will be required to participate in auditions with the committee and the ministerial staff to demonstrate musical and technical abilities.

Applying

No later than December 1, 2024, send a resume and a one-page letter of application that includes, at minimum, commentary on the following questions: What would your vision/goals for music and creative arts be, bearing in mind that this vision will be in concert with and a springboard for the ministerial staff’s vision for music and creative arts? How does your experience in music and creative arts and beyond help shape your vision/goals? What is your theological understanding or philosophy of music and creative arts’ relation to worship and spiritual growth and development?  Applications can be emailed as a single PDF file (only a single PDF will be accepted) to Rev. Cozette Thomas, Executive Minister at cozette.thomas@metropolitanamec.org. On the resume, please include the names and contact information for three (3) references and confirm a willingness to complete a full background check. Review of applications will begin immediately.