How to Become a Church Choir Director

A choir director needs both people and music skills.

Church choir directors are responsible for the musical portion of their church's services. In addition to directing the choir, the director may need to arrange music, play the organ, teach and assist with the scheduling and creation of the weekly service. A well-qualified choir director has a formal education in music, as well as extensive experience working with groups of singers.

Instructions

Study Music

1. Enter a college or university program in musicology, performance or a related discipline. Focus on aspects of the curriculum that are related to vocal music and direction. People who have knowledge of and experience in diverse music styles, including choral, jazz, folk and classical, have more success in the choir director job market.

2. Increase your credentials by continuing your studies after completion of your undergraduate work and pursue a master's degree in music. This isn't typically required for church choir director jobs, but it increases your chances of being chosen over your competitors.

3. Gain experience while you're studying. Join a church choir and inform the director about your ambitions. Seek out all opportunities to learn about choir directing with hands-on experience.

Apply for Jobs

1. Monitor the job market for church choir director jobs. Be prepared to move to a different location to take a position. Music schools frequently have listings of relevant jobs. You can also search general employment websites and make contact with individual churches.

2. Apply for jobs when you find them advertised, as well as approach churches that you want to work at even if they're not advertising. Getting your name out there as a candidate who's motivated and qualified is an important aspect of landing a job.

3. Seek volunteer positions as well as paid positions. Not all church choir directors are paid. If you're seeking a paid position, having previous experience as a volunteer director boosts your qualifications.

References

• National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians: Roles and Responsibilities of the Choir Director
• Inside Jobs: Choir Director
• Artists House Music: What a Church's Music Director Does, and How to Become One