Director of Music Ministry

Director of Music Ministry
St. Michael Lutheran Church (ELCA)

Location:

Greenville, South Carolina (2619 Augusta St.)

Position Type:
Full-Time

Reports To:

Pastor Kyle Bates

Position Overview
The Director of Music Ministries will oversee, plan, and execute all musical aspects of our worship and community music outreach. This individual will serve as the primary musician—leading our song primarily on the organ, and using the piano as appropriate—and will direct our diverse ensembles. A primary focus of this role will be intentional program building and recruiting new musical voices across all generations.

Key Responsibilities
1. Worship & Liturgical Leadership
Provide primary leadership for congregational song on the organ and piano across weekly Sunday services (8:30 AM and 11:00 AM, the latter of which is live streamed to You Tube).
Play for all seasonal, mid-week, and holy day services, including:
Mid-Week Lenten services
Holy Week (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil)
Christmas Eve
Serve as the musician for weddings and funerals held at the church, managing scheduling or coordinating substitutes if unavailable.

2. Worship Planning & Music Selection
Collaborative planning of liturgy and worship in close consultation with the Pastors and staff.
Select all hymns, choral pieces, and instrumental music that reflect the lectionary, Lutheran tradition, history, and theology.
Utilize basic music arranging skills to adapt pieces for varying skill levels or specific instrumental/vocal combinations.

3. Ensemble Development & Program Building
Direct, rehearse, and cultivate an inviting, high-quality music program that welcomes all experience levels.
Provide leadership, direction, and supervision for:
Adult Choir (approx. 30 members)
Chamber Ensembles
Children’s Choir
Handbell Choir
Actively develop and recruit singers and instrumentalists from the congregation and surrounding Greenville community.

4. Staff Collaboration & Integrated Ministry
Participate fully in the life of the leadership team, attending weekly staff meetings and creative planning sessions.
Contribute to worship material prep and bulletin formatting alongside administrative staff.
Actively participate in Vacation Bible School (VBS) music leadership and other seasonal generational ministries.

5. Administration & Instrument Care
Actively manage the music library, music budgets, and copyright/licensing compliance.
Keep precise organization of choir rosters, contact lists, and potential music program participants.
Ensure regular tuning, maintenance, and care for all church instruments, including organ (2-manual, 18 rank Reuter from 1992), pianos (2 Boston uprights purchased in 2023), and handbells (3 octaves of Schulmerich Handbells refurbished in 2025).
Provide staff leadership, technical expertise, and vision to the Worship and Music Committee.

6. Community Outreach & SMLC Concert Series
Continue to build the established SMLC Concert Series to engage the local community, utilize our beautiful sanctuary space, and highlight sacred music.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education:

Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Music is required; a Master’s Degree is preferred (Sacred Music, Choral Conducting, or Organ Performance emphasis).

Experience:

At least 3 years of experience successfully leading music ministries.
Theology & Tradition: A robust, deeply-rooted knowledge of liturgical worship, history, and traditions. (Lutheran exposure is highly valued.)
Musical

Skills:

Excellence in organ/piano performance, choral conducting, score reading, and foundational music arrangement.
Interpersonal Approach:
An encouraging, innovative teacher who embraces the church’s culture of grace.

Salary and Benefits
Competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with education and experience. Salary range $60,000 – $75,000 + Benefits.

Information
For more information about this job posting, please contact the chair of St. Michael’s Search Committee, Jessica Wofford, ford.

Street Address: 2619 Augusta St.

Zip Code/Postal Code: 29605