How to Find Music Director Jobs at Churches

Church music directors conduct the congregation in hymn singing.

Music directors play a pivotal role in worship services of Christian church congregations. Music directors conduct the choir and the congregation in hymn singing. Music directors rehearse with church choirs and prepare musicians for worship services. In addition, the music director may be expected to play the church organ or the piano during services. Many music directors are hired by local church congregations to be full time church staff employees. In other cases, music directors may have duties on the days of worship and may be paid for each time they render service to the church.

Instructions

1. Determine what duties you're looking for in a music director job. The duties and responsibilities for music directors vary widely. In a large congregation, you may only be responsible for coordinating music for worship and leading the Sunday worship service; in smaller congregations you may also be a choir director and organist/pianist.

2. Write a resume. Make sure your resume highlights your music education and your experience in teaching, directing or playing music. If you have previous experience in a church setting, explain this in your resume.

3. Alert your references about your job search. You will likely need to provide references in your job application. Contact your references and tell them that you're applying for jobs as a church music director.

4. Begin searching online postings for music director jobs. Most Christian church denominations post their job openings regularly at the national website of the church denomination. For example, the United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America post their positions online.

5. Submit your resume. When you find openings that you want to apply for, begin the application procedure in accordance with the instructions given in the job announcement. In most cases, you'll be asked to send a cover letter and resume indicating your interest in the position and your music background and experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Some job postings will request a salary history. Be sure to include your salary history in your cover letter. Failure to provide this information could eliminate you from the short-listed candidates.

• Don't lie or inflate your experience and educational background. Fraud or misrepresentations in your job application, when discovered, can lead to your dismissal from the position.

References

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Other Opportunities
• United Methodist Church: Jobs
• Unity: Job Description, Director of Music Ministry, Association of Unity Churches International