Our Story

In 1924, Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church (RCPC) was established in the newly growing neighborhood of the same name. One of its charter members composed a poem to celebrate the new congregation. The end of the first stanza states, “There’s a Temple that’s built for the service of God, a Haven of rest for the poor, a Beacon of hope for all who plod, called the Church of the Open Door.” Since that time “The Church of the Open Door” has been our defining characteristic. 

Located in a neighborhood where members walk to worship, others to school, and more to the local retail and dining district, we are also an urban congregation, located within the city limits of Roanoke, Virginia and thus concerned with issues of justice and poverty. Today some six hundred souls call RCPC their church home, gathering for worship, to study scripture, to pray with and for one another, and to serve the world in love.

Music at RCPC

Music fills our worship with hymns, anthems, prayer responses, instrumental offerings, major works, and more. While rooted in the Reformed tradition, we value music from all eras and nations and appreciate the diversity of the Holy Spirit’s witness in the world. 

In addition to the congregational song, our Sanctuary Choir of 35 singers, our God Alive Children’s Choir of 25 singers, our Youth Bell Choir of 11 ringers, and our five-octave adult Raleigh Court Ringers carry us into God’s presence throughout the year. 

Music at our 9:00 AM Chapel service is accompanied by our Walker Digital Organ (equivalent to 34 pipe ranks over three manuals and pedal), and a five-foot Model M Steinway grand piano. Worship in our sanctuary is supported by our 77-rank Moller organ (Opus 9091, 1958 with renovation and expansion in 2010, four manuals and pedal), and a five-foot Kawai grand piano.  In the summer of 2023, our chancel is being reconfigured to better accommodate our worship and music ministry, providing additional space for creative worship expression and more effective musical presentation.

Music rings through our church as well in monthly Evening Prayer services, special liturgical services throughout the year, our annual Worship on the Mountain outdoor service, the annual congregational retreat, and the summer Music at Raleigh Court Series. Learn more about our music ministry here.

Major Responsibilities

RCPC is seeking a Director of Music Ministries to lead and enrich our music ministry as we move into our next 100 years of worship through music. Resources allow for one full-time and one part-time position; thus, the Search Committee is open to multiple avenues for fulfilling these responsibilities based on the gifts of the successful candidate.

• Plan and lead musical elements of worship in coordination with other ministry staff, ensuring that the music reflects a variety of styles and is related to the theme of the service.

• Conduct choir rehearsals, worship services, and special events and activities.

• Accompany choral, vocal solo, and instrumental music in worship.

• Prepare and offer sacred organ and piano repertoire with a high degree of excellence.  

• Discern musical gifts and talents within the congregation and community, and enlist, encourage, and enable the use of those gifts.

• Nurture the people and groups involved in the church’s music ministry.

• Serve as administrator of the music ministry including scheduling, employing guest musicians, budgeting, purchasing, and maintenance of all music-related assets.

• Prepare and oversee the annual Music at Raleigh Court Series, featuring regional guest performers and musical ensembles of RCPC.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

We seek a candidate who . . .

• Has a deep Christian faith and a desire to share faith through music;

• Is a gifted and experienced musician with a broad repertoire and knowledge of sacred music;

• Has the ability and experience to equip, guide, and conduct adult, children, and youth choirs; handbell ensembles; and instrumentalists;

• Will work independently and collaboratively with volunteers and the RCPC ministry team; and, who

• Demonstrates strong organizational, computer, and oral and written communication skills.

Proficiency and experience in playing the organ and piano are highly preferred. Basic keyboarding skills are required.

Compensation and Benefits

The Director of Music Ministries is a full-time position with a salary commensurate with experience and skills ($63,000-$70,000).  Benefits include Presbyterian Church USA medical, pension, and death and disability benefits; continuing education; vacation and holidays off.  A sabbatical is offered following six years of consecutive service.

Memorial Drive UMC is a vibrant congregation of 7700 in west Houston. Regular Sunday worship consists of four services, two traditional and two contemporary. The traditional music ministry includes three full-time and two-part time staff, and up to eight staff singers; 6 vocal choirs, 3 handbell choirs, and 4 instrumental groups.

The Director of Music & Fine Arts is a full-time, salaried position with benefits to begin in summer 2023. Qualifications for the position include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in music and experience in music ministry and choral conducting. A master’s degree and training in church music and/or seminary is preferred. In addition, the Director shall show strong evidence of personal maturity and a heart of service to others, including the ability to work well with both church members and the others on the church staff. Candidates should embody our staff culture of being humble, faithful, and innovative followers of Jesus. As a leader within the congregation, the Director should be a person of faith embodying high moral and ethical standards and integrity.

• Administrate and coordinate overall traditional music ministries: planning annual budget and monitoring expenses; scheduling rehearsals and concerts on the church calendar; supervising other music ministry staff and volunteer leaders.
• Plan and lead music for traditional classic worship, with attention to the liturgical year.
• Coordinate the scheduling for all choirs and ensembles, handbell and instrumental groups, and soloists in classic worship.
• Recruit, train, and lead individuals to serve in appropriate musical groups, taking care to ensure that all participants with the program are treated with dignity and respect.
• Direct Chancel Choir, N.O.A.H. Choir (senior adults), and handbell choirs for adults, youth, and children, and/or other groups as divided among the music staff.
• Plan and coordinate concerts along with other music staff: Advent, Spring and/or Holy Week, annual bells and orchestra concert, Phantom of the Organ, MDUMC Organ Series, and guest artists.
• Oversee the care and maintenance of the church’s musical instruments and equipment. Supervise maintenance of and additions to the music library and related equipment.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and collaborate with other staff on church-wide events.
• Coordinate with community music groups who use our facility.

Proficiency on piano with experience in traditional worship settings. Organ proficiency and/or modern worship experience are strong pluses . Responsibilities include playing service music, playing hymns for singing in two traditional services each Sunday as well as special services and events, and accompanying the choir and other musical groups for both rehearsal and worship or performances. Compensation is competitive and based upon experience and skill level. Position will be open early in 2023.

St. Benedict Anglican Church in Rockwall, TX, is adding two new choral scholar positions to serve as section leaders to our budding choir along with our existing two section leaders. We are primarily seeking a baritone and an alto, but welcome all voice types to apply. Sight singing skills required. Choral scholars attend warm up at 8:15 a.m. each Sunday to sing for 9 a.m. worship and rehearse roughly from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Choir schedule for 2023 runs January 11 through June 4 (Trinity), and September 6 through Christmas Eve.

City:
Rockwall

State:
TX