Director of Traditional Music and Worship Arts

The Director of Traditional Music and Worship Arts provides leadership for the church’s traditional music ministry, working collaboratively with musical groups, volunteers, and church staff to plan and lead worship. The Director helps coordinate the musical life of the congregation, with primary responsibility for traditional worship services, while also providing leadership for seasonal services and other special worship events. Through these responsibilities, the Director supports and advances the ministry and mission of First Presbyterian Church.

Since First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1884, our church has fostered a legacy of musical excellence in worship, special holiday music programs, and musical outreach to the community and university. With two Traditional services in a recently renovated sanctuary and one Contemporary service in a newer facility, our church averages about 400 worshipers on a Sunday.

Our multi-generational congregation comes from a wide variety of faith experiences, diverse vocations, different socio-economic situations, and various musical tastes. Although we have diverse backgrounds and situations, we are united in our desire that everything we do and say is grounded in Christ, as revealed in Scripture. By God’s grace, we all strive to live out our mission statement: "Rooted in Jesus, growing in His love, branching out to serve others".

Grand Junction is the largest city in Western Colorado, and is a mixture of desert, farmland, mountains, orchards, as well as national monument and the world’s largest mesa. The diversity of our area lends itself to snow/water skiing, snowshoeing, trail/mountain biking, hiking, and a host of other outdoor activities. Colorado Mesa University has an enrollment of over 10,000 students and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Many cultural activities are offered, including the Grand Junction Symphony, outdoor/indoor venues with varied and well-known artists, as well as many festivals with different themes throughout the year.

• Oversees the traditional musical activities of the church, while maintaining awareness of and support for Contemporary worship at First Presbyterian Church
• Schedules and oversees music on a year-round basis for traditional Sunday worship and other special and seasonal services as required
• Schedules and directs rehearsals and provides leadership for all traditional music ensembles of the church
• Works with other members of staff in the coordination of various church activities
• Participates in twice-monthly morning staff meetings, weekly worship planning, and monthly evening meetings of the Worship Team
• Bachelor’s degree in music, with an emphasis in Church or Sacred Music, or a related

• 4-8 years’ experience in conducting choral, orchestral, and handbell ensembles
• Organ or piano proficiency
• Leadership experience

• Graduate Degree in Church or Sacred Music
• Comfort directing from organ and piano

Note:

As a result of a recent and very generous gift to the church’s Organ Fund, we are currently in the process of selecting and then installing a new pipe organ in our sanctuary. This new instrument will greatly enhance our church’s worship, as well as our outreach to the wider Grand Junction community. The new Director of Traditional Music and Worship Arts will join and contribute to this process.

• Starting annual salary range between $62,000-$75,000 (depending on experience and skills)
• Health Insurance (church pays 75% of the premium)
• Retirement 403b incentive program
• Reimbursed costs for approved continued education
• Sabbatical Leave (1 month after 7 years of service)

To apply, please email a cover letter and résumé to directorofmusicsearch