Director of Music – Church

Director of Music – St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Reston, VA

Full Time (32+ hours a week) full benefits competitive salary

About Us: St. Anne’s Episcopal Church has been a beacon of faith and community outreach in Reston, VA for over 50 years. Our church community is built upon these foundational principles – Welcoming – Diverse – Progressive. St. Anne’s rich history, begun by founding Rector Embry Rucker in the 1960’s, resonates with decades of active community involvement to include various shelters, food banks, meal distributions, elder-care assistance, and other vital outreach programs.

Our extensive in-house music library, filled with hundreds of classic choral anthems and Episcopal compositions, is a testament to our ongoing commitment to musical worship and a key component of our services. We are fortunate to own two exemplary instruments: an Allen Digital Organ and Steinway Grand Piano. We have celebrated and continue to nurture a high-quality musical ministry. Please visit our website at https://www.stannes-reston.org/ for information about St. Anne’s Episcopal Church.

Role Summary: We are seeking a passionate Director of Music who believes in the transformative power of music in worship and communal life. The ideal candidate will be deeply involved in fostering an environment where all parishioners can experience the joy and depth of spirituality through music. This position requires an open-minded, creative, energetic, and committed individual who can collaborate closely with clergy, staff, congregation, children and youth, dedicated choir members, and in-house musicians. The anticipated start date with be in early 2024, this posting will remain open until December 31^st 2023.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the congregation in singing, ensuring active participation and engagement throughout the service.
• Play the organ / piano for the 10 AM Sunday worship and special services during the year to include weddings, funerals, Holy Days and Easter and Christmas Holidays. 
• Direct and lead weekly choir rehearsals, ensuring the growth and development of our dedicated volunteer choir. I
• Incorporate and engage children and youth into the music experience, including activities like handbell choir, Vacation Bible School, youth choir, vocal training, and instrumental encouragement.
• Seek in-house parishioners with musical and singing talent; coordinate external musicians and singers, as needed, to add variety to existing services and bolster the Christmas and Easter celebrations.
• Collaborate closely with the clergy to curate music that aligns with the liturgical calendar and sermons.
• Participate in annual Christmas pageant and leading the music portion to make this an event of celebration and spiritual depth for everyone.
• Regularly explore, introduce, and incorporate new and diverse musical ideas and styles into our worship.
•  Participate in staff meetings, liturgy planning with clergy, provide musical information for Sunday bulletins.
• Become an instrumental figure in promoting St. Anne’s musical spirit to attract new families from Reston and the general community.
• Ability to work with various AV equipment, microphone, and digital vergers to ensure quality and a smooth online streaming experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Collaborative and engaging spirit, ensuring seamless integration with clergy, staff, parishioners, guest musicians and soloists.
• Previous worship leadership experience (we are open on total years of experience based on skill levels).
• Mastery in organ performance, piano performance, and knowledge of additional musical accompaniment.
• Experience directing and leading a dedicated volunteer choir.
• Experience playing Episcopal hymns from the 1982 hymnal, LEVAS, Wonder, Love and Praise, and other supplemental compositions.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a range of vocal skills and ages.
• Programmatic music planning experience, especially pertaining to children and youth.
• Formal musical education, B.A. Music or equivalent.

Attributes:

• Passionate about the role of music in worship and community.
• Collaborative and team-builder personality.
• Open-minded and receptive to diverse musical styles and ideas.
• Solid leadership abilities with a knack for nurturing talent and fostering growth.
• Committed to the values and mission of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church.
• Patience in working with and fostering various vocal skill levels.

Join Us: Be a part of St. Anne’s growth story as we continue our legacy of community outreach, inclusiveness, and musical worship. If you resonate with our values and have the skills and passion to lead our music programs, we invite you to apply and share your musical expertise to enrich our congregation’s spiritual journey.

Application Process: Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, a cover letter detailing relevant experience, and any supplementary materials or links showcasing their work to the search director at [email protected] . We will contact references, conduct a background check, and discuss benefits / salary information at the appropriate time. The application window will remain open until December 31, 2023. we are anticipating a start date in early 2024.

St. Anne’s Episcopal Church is an equal opportunity and celebrates diversity in all its forms. www.stannes-reston.org for more information

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