MHCC Music Director

Melrose Highlands Congregational Church 355 Franklin Street Melrose, MA 02176

Date Posted:

June 10, 2026

Region:

Eastern Massachusetts Category:

Artistic/Programming Type:

Part-Time

MHCC Music Director Description:

Melrose Highlands Congregational Church (MHCC) is an open and affirming church in Melrose, MA. We are a vibrant and engaged congregation with a great appreciation for a wide variety of musical styles. We actively and enthusiastically support our flourishing music program as an important form of ministry and expression of our faith. We currently seek a part-time Music Director to lead our church's music program. The Music Director's role is integral to the leadership of our churchmunity. We are looking for a Music Director with the skills, knowledge, and passion necessary to support the musical and artistic expression of MHCC's vision and values. The position offers the opportunity to create, innovate, and initiate in ways that nurture the wonderful diversity we enjoy in our worship, our talents, and our expressions of God and faith. MHCC prides itself in offering high-quality music from a range of genres and styles that leverage the use of our wonderfulan and piano as well as volunteer music ensembles. We are proud of our musical heritage, and are excited to grow and explore as we continue to meet the needs of our congregation and the widermunity. Position Description The Music Director leads the vision, artistic direction, oversight, and coordination of the musical elements of our worship services and gatherings. This includes directing volunteer musical ensembles (Adult Choir, Praise Band), leading the congregation in music, convening the children's choir, and encouraging the participation of church members and individuals in instrumental and vocal solos and ensembles. It also includes collaborating with the pastor thematically and directing/managing our very talentedanist/pianist. The Music Director reports to the Pastor and works in close collaborative partnership with choir members and other volunteer musicians. Work is reviewed through observation, supervisory evaluation, and feedback from the Worship Team, congregation, and Pastor. This is a part-time, support staff position with duties on-site primarily on Sundays and possibly one to two evenings per week (approximately 10 hours per week) during the standard church year (September through June). It also includes participation in one "summer service" in July or August. Primary Duties Lead music during Sunday morning services, holiday services, and special worship events Select music for choir and coordinate/lead other vocal/instrumental ensembles, exploring a wide range of musical styles (e.g. folk, rock, classical, children's choir) Coordinate and lead rehearsal sessions for choir members Engage the congregation to expand their participation in MHCC's music program Facilitate music opportunities for children from primary-school age through high school Coordinate and plan music for holidays and special worship events (e.g. Christmas, Easter, Music Sundays), and occasionally seek the involvement of outside musicians and soloists Collaborate with Pastor andanist/pianist on thematic selection of hymns and music for Sunday morning worship Ideally, the Music Director would have the ability to provide occasional vocal solos Additional Responsibilities Remain cognizant and supportive of the range of musical abilities of the voluntary members of the choir and other musical ensembles (we have a broad mix of musically trained and untrained) Plan andanize for the music program's needs in coordination with the Worship Team and music budget Prepare and present a report at each Annual Meeting concerning the music program Coordinate the maintenance, tuning, and repair of all musical instruments owned by the church, including our pipean and piano Manage the selection and the purchase of all music for the music program, observing budgetary guidelines and adhering to applicable copyright laws regarding the use, duplication, distribution, and streaming broadcast of music and/or lyrics Provide Office Administrator with Sunday music selections for inclusion in the weekly Sunday bulletin by a weekly deadline Maintain an open attitude to developing and altering the music program as the needs and interests of the congregation evolve Ad to MHCC's Open and Affirming policy, weing people of every race, language, age, gender expression, ethnicity, economic status, mental or physical ability, and sexual orientation into the full life and ministry of the church Performance at weddings and funerals are offered first to the Music Director with additionalpensation

Qualifications:

General Requirements:

Bachelor's degree, preferably in music education or a related field Demonstrated experience in choral conducting, ideally in a church, school, ormunity setting At least two years' experience as a Music Director in a church or similar setting is preferred but not required Must exhibit a high level of professionalism and proficiency in many kinds of music and performance Demonstrated proficiency in leading music Familiarity with protestant service, worship music, and hymnody Requires passing C.O.R.I. background checks

Preferred Qualities:

A passion for engaging people and leading congregational singing, as well as fostering accessible and inclusive musical experiences Willingness to explore different forms of music for use in worship service Stronganizational skills Comfortable leading the congregation in singing Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonalmunication with emphasis on listening and problem solving Ability to work cooperatively to meet goals with the church staff and members of other teams andmittees