About Claremont United Methodist Church
Claremont United Methodist Church is an inclusive community responding to God’s love and grace. We nurture one another on our spiritual journeys, work for peace and justice, and serve others and God’s creation. Together, we seek God’s creative transformation of the world and of individual hearts.
We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We commit to Jesus’ example of inclusive love, care, and intentional hospitality with all persons of every race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, faith story, disability, economic status, or political perspective.
Position Overview
Claremont United Methodist Church has a long tradition of providing quality sacred music in its Sunday worship services.
As a United Methodist church, we follow the lectionary and also offer sermon series based on new interpretations of biblical texts. The choir’s music should align with each week’s themes and scripture readings.
Qualifications
- Academic training and recent experience as a choral music director, including liturgical music.
- A collaborative approach and willingness to nurture a love of music among children, youth, and adults.
- Knowledge of various styles of church music, including classical, contemporary, folk, and gospel.
- Ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.
Responsibilities
Choir Direction and Worship Music
- Plan, collaborate, and coordinate with the pastors, collaborative pianist/organist, and worship planning team on all choral music for worship services, including hymns, special soloists, and ensembles.
- Direct the Sanctuary Choir during regular worship services and additional services during special seasons, including Christmas and Holy Week.
- Lead two weekly Sanctuary Choir rehearsals, one midweek and one Sunday morning, from September through mid-June.
- Coordinate musicians to provide special music from mid-June through July while the choir is on break.
- Direct a women’s ensemble to provide special music during worship two to three times per year.
- Direct the children’s choir, which rehearses weekly following worship, to provide special music at least twice per year.
- Direct the adult handbell choir for quarterly musical offerings, including one weekly hour-long rehearsal.
- Direct the youth chimes for special musical offerings at least twice per year, with weekly rehearsals following worship.
Relational Engagement and Collaboration
- Foster an atmosphere of musical learning, growth, and mutual care within the church and its choirs.
- Expand the church’s choral music program by actively recruiting new members for the various choirs, including bells and chimes.
- Broaden the congregation’s understanding of sacred music through diverse musical offerings and styles, including special Sunday music and combined musical groups.
- Provide the Church Administrator with the title and composer of the selected worship anthem by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin.
- Collaborate with the worship team to select musical offerings.
- Recommend hymns that complement each Sunday’s scripture readings and worship themes.
- Work with the worship team to edit or transcribe new hymn lyrics that align with inclusive theology.
Leadership and Management
- Maintain and expand the church’s music library.
- In consultation with the Lead Pastor(s), recommend an annual budget for the choir and additional musicians, and ensure accountability in its use.
- Maintain professional competency through practice, performance, and continuing education opportunities.
- Attend monthly worship team and staff meetings.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Lead Pastor(s).
Hours of Work
10–15 hours per week, year-round (12 months).
Pay
$30-$40 per hour negotiated at time of hire based on professional experience
Supervision and Evaluation
- Reports to the Lead Pastor(s) and the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC).
- Receives annual performance evaluations from the Lead Pastor(s) and SPRC in accordance with the church’s Personnel Policy.
Compensation and Benefits
- Compensation: Hourly pay will be negotiated upon hiring, with annual reviews.
- Retirement and Health Benefits: Employees working fewer than 20 hours per week are not eligible for a church-paid pension. Health and dental benefits are available only to full-time regular employees.
- Vacation and Sick Leave: Leave for part-time employees is prorated as required by state and federal law.
- Vacation Policy: Employees awarded annual vacation on a particular date must use that vacation within 12 months of the award date or forfeit it.
- Overtime: All overtime hours must receive prior approval from the Lead Pastor(s).
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit a resume/CV and cover letter to: