The Director of Music Ministries for Children and Youth is responsible for recruiting, planning for, implementing, and directing the musical and dramatic presentations offered by those age groups. The Director of Music and Organist, who is responsible for and provides direction to the church’s entire music ministry, is the immediate supervisor. The Director of Music Ministries for Children and Youth also works closely with the Associate Pastor, who is responsible for the Sunday School program. The church’s Co-Pastors, in their roles as heads of staff, work with the church’s elected leaders to establish and maintain the church’s overall ministry direction.

DUTIES

Programmatic:

• Recruit (with the resources of the Associate Pastor) and maintain participation in children’s (grades 1-5) and youth (grades 6-8) choirs.
• In consultation with the Director of Music and Organist, choose music for these ensembles.
• Conduct regular rehearsals of the children’s and youth choirs (45 minutes each). Rehearsals shall include creative/interwoven age-appropriate instruction about the language of music (learning to read and maintain knowledge of note names/staff placement, rhythm values, time and key signatures, counting, and singing of intervals).
• Direct the children’s and youth choirs (and, on occasion, these choirs combined with the Chancel Choir) in worship and other settings. There may be instances when it is determined to be more effective/efficient for the ensemble(s) to be directed by the Director of Music and Organist or the Intern in Sacred Music.
• Collaborate and be in consultation with the Director of Music and Organist regarding scheduling of all rehearsals and performances, including times when the children’s and youth choirs will join the Chancel Choir.
• Promote the children’s and youth music ministries events.
• Choose and maintain the resources for children’s and youth music ministries programs.
• Recruit personnel for, plan, and direct the church’s Christmas pageant (performers being in grades K-5, narrators and helpers being in grades 6-8; members of the Children’s Choir customarily participate; thus, Pageant rehearsals take the place of regular Children’s Choir rehearsals in the weeks leading up to the Pageant performance). This includes responsibility for scripts/acting, simple staging and lighting, audio/visual needs, and music. The Associate Pastor is involved in a support role, as are parents or guardians of the performers.
• Recruit personnel for, plan, rehearse, and serve as stage director and lighting coordinator for the Live Nativity services on Christmas Eve (participants being in Grades 9-12).
• Lead the Singing Our Faith program of music enrichment in the Sunday School (in coordination with the Associate Pastor).
• Lead music in Children’s Chapel services (per the program established by the Associate Pastor).

Administrative:

• Weekly meeting (c. 30 minutes, in-person or online) with the Director of Music and Organist.
• Monthly meeting (c. 30 minutes, in-person or online) with the Associate Pastor.
• Keep attendance records for ensembles and submit such to the Director of Music and Organist.
• Maintain contact information for all participants and have it readily available for other staff members should communication needs arise.
• Communicate regularly with the families of children and youth involved in music ministries programs.
• Supervise the maintenance of the Christmas Pageant and Live Nativity costumes and supplies, children’s and youth choir robes, and library of music and drama for use by the children’s and youth choirs.

EVALUATION

• A formal review, led by the Director of Music and Organist, will be conducted on a biennial basis, this in accord with the church’s Personnel Policies. A semi-formal review will be conducted in the intervening year.

COMPENSATION

Starting pay, commensurate with experience, of a minimum of $12,000, reflecting a work schedule of an average of ten (10) hours per week for approximately forty (40) weeks (program year of mid-September to mid-June).

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, a résumé (including three persons who could serve as references), and up to three audio/video samples of your work with or performances by children and youth under your direction. Please send materials via email to search@ryepc.com. The deadline for receipt of materials is September 5, 2022.

The materials-review and candidate-interview process will occur during the month of September. The goal is to have the Director of Music Ministries for Children and Youth begin work around October 1. 

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in music education, or performance with an education minor or significant coursework (voice or choral conducting emphasis).

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of five (5) years working as a music professional (educator, performer, or conductor) focused on children and youth is preferred. Evidence of growth in numbers and engagement by targeted age groups is a must.

SKILL SET REQUIREMENTS

• An ability to create and maintain a positive classroom/rehearsal/performance environment and, in so doing, keep children and youth focused, stimulated, and inspired.
• Keyboard skills that demonstrate the ability to lead or accompany a rehearsal or performance.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

A grounded and growing faith; a passion for music and its place in spiritual formation; an enjoyment of children and youth with all their energy and curiosity.