Music Ministry

“In summa, next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits”  --- Martin Luther, 1538

Mission The mission of the music ministry at Christ the King Lutheran Church is to glorify God, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to seek the prompting of the Holy Spirit in musical expression. Goals Celebration: To support congregational worship and song with music leadership, especially at the Sunday Eucharist. Education: To enrich the lives of Christ the King members through music and to teach people to appreciate music in its many expressions. Involvement: To seek to grow the music ministry of Christ the King by encouraging the participation of new people in our existing groups as well as looking for opportunities to expand our music offerings and groups. Organist/Choir Director Responsibilities Worship Services: Organ/Piano/Keyboard Play organ and/or piano or keyboard as appropriate for all regular and special worship services: Two services every Sunday morning for approximately nine months of the year One service every Sunday morning for approximately three months of the year (normally from mid-June through Labor Day) One Service every Wednesday evening during Advent and Lent and two services on Ash Wednesday Christmas week will normally include three Christmas Eve Services, a Christmas Day Service and a Sunday School Program Holy Week will normally include Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil Services. Select appropriate prelude and postlude music for all services. Perform all the designated service elements unless fully covered by other music ensembles Plan music for services and programs in co-operation with the other music leaders and the Pastor Work with and nurture soloist and small groups for prelude, postlude, or in service accompaniment efforts. Worship Services: Christ the King Choir Teach and encourage all choir members to become music leaders within the congregation. Direct and accompany the Christ The King Choir during all worship services Direct and accompany regular weekly rehearsals Direct and accompany warm up rehearsals on Sunday before service Perform music selections in accordance with the church year and in consultation with others responsible for worship planning Recruit new choir members on an ongoing basis Weddings & Funerals The Organist is responsible for playing at all wedding and funeral services within the church: At least one month’s notice and two weeks of preparation time after selection of music may be expected for weddings One day’s notice may be expected for funeral services. Advanced arrangements for coverage shall be made for all times when the Organist is not expected to be personally available for service, and the Pastor shall be notified of these arrangements. Weddings and Funerals shall include the same types of service element coverage and planning, preparation (including general and soloist specific rehearsals) and performance requirements cited for regular services, but may be irregularly scheduled. The Organist shall be available to perform at all services and, when not selected as the organist to perform, will be used as the consultant for any outside organist used. Administrative Maintain communication with the Pastor and other music leaders. Attend Worship and Music Team meetings and/or music leader meetings Maintain in an orderly manner the library of sheet music, hymnals, music books and all materials relating to the music ministry of the church. Provide for a substitute organist when not personally available for service coverage Qualifications The following qualifications are required of candidates for Organist/Choir Director: Display proficiency in playing organ Our organ is a one manual tracker pipe organ with four manual pull stops and full pedal board Display proficiency in playing piano and keyboard Competency in accompanying vocal and instrumental music Competency in vocal conducting and choir leadership Experience as a choir/vocal group member or soloist Familiarity and understanding of the liturgy and liturgical forms used within the Lutheran tradition Broad knowledge of resources from which various styles and kinds of music may be obtained Familiarity with all periods of sacred and secular music from antiquity to contemporary Good interpersonal skills, the ability to work with and serve the needs of individual and/or groups of church members, visiting musicians, and families preparing for weddings, funerals and memorial services We will consider applicants who are only interested in the Organist portion of the position and not the Choir Director portion. Supervision The Organist/Choir Director is responsible to the Pastor. The Organist will consult with the other music leaders, the Worship & Music Liaison to the Church Council and/or the Worship and Music Team. Salary and Benefits The position of Organist/Choir Director is a part-time position starting September 14, 2008 which is the first Sunday of our Fall Schedule (8:00 am and 10:30 am both Services of Holy Eucharist). Annual review of the position is planned for November of each calendar year. Reasonable notice is expected from either party of all plans to terminate in mid-period or not renew the position. Payment for the position of Organist/Choir Director is established, and adjusted as required, by the Church Council based on an annual church budget approved by the congregation each year. The church budget year is January 1 through December 31. Actual payments will be made to the Organist/Choir Director on a bi-weekly basis and in a manner jointly agreed to between the Organist/Choir Director and the Church Council. Social Security and Worker’s Compensation Insurance benefits will be paid by Christ the King Lutheran Church. Both payment arrangements and the actual level of compensation will be changed as necessary effective January 1 each year. Initial level of compensation will be established based upon education, certification and years of experience. Stipends for both performance and consultation roles for wedding and funeral services shall be established by the Church Council in accordance with current American Guild of Organists guidelines and may be quoted by the Pastor in initial discussions of arrangements for weddings and funerals. Stipends for either role will be paid by the parties requesting the wedding or funeral services and are not a part of the base salary established for the role of Organist/Choir Director. Organist/Choir Director shall receive payment for consultation if the couple marrying or the family planning the funeral wishes to import his or her own organist. Families wishing to hire a different musician shall be obligated to pay a consultation fee to the Christ the King Organist/Choir Director who agrees to meet with the imported organist to go over the workings of the organ and to provide times when the imported organist may practice. Annual paid vacation will be based on the number of years of service. Vacation time will accrue at the following rate: Years of Service Annual Vacation Time 1 3 Weeks 2 – 5 4 Weeks 6 or more 6 Weeks Vacation blackout periods include two weeks prior to Christmas through one week following Christmas and two weeks prior to Easter. Written notice of vacation request and coverage arrangements should be made four weeks in advance. Vacation time is for the year only and cannot be accrued, nor will payment be made for vacation time, which is not used at the end of the year. In the event of termination of employment, vacation time unused will be paid on the last Sunday when the organist serves. The organist will receive two paid weeks of sick time per year, which does not accrue from year to year. Please submit resumes to: Christ the King Lutheran Church Attn: Worship & Music 3 Lutheran Drive Nashua, 03063 Or by e-mail to ctk@ctknashua.org

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Christ the King Lutheran Church, 3 Lutheran Drive, Nashua, NH 03063 (603) 882-6142
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