Director of Music (Part-time) Position Available In Albany, New York

Director of Music (Part-time) Delmar Presbyterian Church 585 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054 The Director of Music collaborates with the Pastor, volunteer music leaders, and the church’s governing board (the Session) to implement a comprehensive church music program. This program should enrich and broaden the church’s music ministry and encourage participation by congregants of all interests and skill levels. We seek an individual to lead the music program with strong keyboard ability, a willingness to connect traditional and contemporary sacred music to the liturgy of our welcoming and open worship service, and a flexible, positive attitude.

• Collaborate with the Pastor, volunteer music leaders, and Session, to plan, coordinate, and implement an appropriate music program for worship services and events throughout the liturgical year, leveraging available resources and providing opportunities for those who wish to participate.
• Support and lead congregational singing in the weekly worship service, using a diverse selection of new and traditional hymns and songs, consistent with themes developed by the Pastor and Worship Committee.

The Director of Music will generally prepare a prelude and postlude, accompany musical responses, including hymns, and provide music during the offering (whether playing or arranging special music), as well as introduce new hymns and songs when they are selected for use in worship.

• Recruit vocalists and instrumentalists from the congregation and community, and support them in developing and sharing their musical skills in the worship service. Regularly attend the post-worship coffee hour to get to know congregation members and their sometimes hidden musical talents.
• Rehearse, direct, and accompany the mixed youth and adult voice choir of about a dozen members, which currently sings in worship approximately twice per month during the academic year.

The choir currently rehearses September to June on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m., but as the music program continues to grow, the Director of Music should be open to additional rehearsal with the choir or other musicians as needed.

• Coordinate, coach and assist with all volunteer-led music, including the bell choir (Bells of Praise).
• Collaborate with the technology ministry to provide musical offerings for live-stream and pre-recorded services, and remain aware of our virtual congregation.
• Serve as a professional resource for the Worship Committee of the Session and Pastor. Participate in weekly and long-term planning for music and worship, including in-person meetings with the Pastor as needed.
• As requested, provide accompaniment and assistance with music selection for weddings and funerals, with compensation for these additional services provided by the requesting families.
• Maintain a current list of special musicians and a resource list of substitute organists or keyboardists. It is the responsibility of the Director of Music to notify the pastor of any planned advances at least 30 days in advance and to arrange for a substitute musician to play during these absences.
• Maintain knowledge and skills required for the music ministry and participate in regular professional development.
• Complete periodic mandatory safety and child abuse prevention training.
• Musical skills and ability to play keyboard instruments such as our baby grand piano and/or pipe organ to lead congregational singing and provide other service music. Pipe organ training or experience is desired but not required; ability to play other instruments such as guitar is a plus.
• Ability to conduct vocalists and instrumentalists, including the choir. Experience playing and/or conducting handbells is not required, but is a plus; we would consider supporting training in this area for the right musician who is willing to learn.
• Experience with and appreciation of (or willingness to learn about) faith-based music and church traditions and culture.
• Collaborative working style and flexible, positive attitude, with a willingness to work with congregation members of all ages.
• A college degree in music, or training and experience comparable to a degree, with experience in a variety of sacred music.
• Knowledge of copyright laws.
• Satisfactory completion of background check.
• We are an active, welcoming, friendly, and financially-stable mainline Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) congregation of 100+ people ranging in age from preschool to nearly 90 in the Albany, New York suburb of Delmar.

We have a full-time minister and regular Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. Our worship service follows a traditional liturgy presented in a fairly relaxed manner, and the congregation strongly values the integration of well-executed music with our worship.

• Our vocal choir has approximately 12 members and sings twice per month in the service.

In the recent past, we have focused on more accessible music to encourage participation, and we are excited for a music director to lead this group as it continues to grow in numbers, abilities, and energy. The Bells of Praise has approximately 8 members, and in recent years, has been directed by both volunteers and the music director. These arrangements are negotiable.

• Our instruments include a 13-rank Wicks pipe organ with two manuals and pedal built in 1973 and rebuilt in 2000 by Rosenberry & Myers, a Baldwin baby grand piano and a Kawai electric keyboard in the sanctuary.

We have a full upright Steinway piano in the fellowship hall. We have three octaves of Schulmerich handbells and a set of handchimes. All instruments are professionally maintained and regularly used in worship.

• Position reports to Pastor and Session.
• Salaried – Non-Exempt Professional (Part time): ◦ Compensation commensurate with experience, currently in the range of $21,000 to $23,000, and up to an additional $1,000 annually to support professional development activities.

◦ 10-15 hours weekly, which includes worship services, choir rehearsal time, planning and meeting time (including meeting at least monthly with the Pastor and Worship leaders), and the Director of Music’s own preparation time. ◦ Four weeks (Sundays) paid vacation annually. ◦ Membership in the American Guild of Organists included. ◦ Six-month probationary period.

• Start date is negotiable, but ideally as soon as possible and by the fall of 2025.

Interested applicants should submit a letter, resume, and list of three references by Monday, July 7, 2025 to

Delmar Presbyterian Church, Attn:

Director of Music Search Committee, 585 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054, or by e-mail (PDF format preferred) to office@delmarpres.org with the subject line “Director of Minister Application.” Effective date: June 2025

Job Type:

Part-time Pay:

$21,000.00 – $23,000.00 per year Expected hours: 10 – 15 per week

Benefits:

Paid time off

Schedule:

Day shift

Work Location:

In person