Description
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Preschool in Alexandria, Virginia is seeking a Children’s Music Minister to develop a spirited and inviting music ministry for children and their families within the congregation, the preschool, and the broader community. The Children’s Music Minister will develop and direct the children’s choir programs of the church, lead an after-school music enrichment program for students of the preschool, and creatively foster the connections that build a comprehensive approach to learning through music in the church and school community.
Located in the heart of Old Town, Alexandria, St. Paul’s is a vibrant and growing church and the spiritual home to a diverse and active congregation of over 3000 baptized members, including many young families. St. Paul’s Episcopal Preschool (SPEP) is a ministry of the church, serving children 18 months through age 5. As our ministries with children and their families continue to grow, we seek a creative Children’s Music Minister who will help the music program, and the many opportunities it engenders, to grow with them.
Responsibilities:
1) Direct two children’s choirs at St. Paul’s: the Angel Choir, with members starting at age 4, and the St. Cecilia Choir, with members starting in second grade
- Work with the Director of Music to develop a season calendar and outline of musical activities
- Select music that is age appropriate, challenging, attainable, and thematically related to days or seasons in which it is to be presented
- Lead weekly afternoon/evening rehearsals for both choirs, including musical fundamentals, skill building, and learning music for Sunday mornings and occasional special services
- Direct the children’s choirs for regular Sunday morning services during the program year
- Collaborate with church formation staff to identify and recruit members for the children’s choirs
- Help to promote children's music activities through announcements, newsletter items, emails, and church social media
- Be a patient, kind, supportive point of contact and resource for both choristers and their families
2) Work with the chaplain, church formation staff, and Director of Music, to foster connections between the Church and Preschool in nurturing children’s faith formation through music
- Plan and lead music for weekly preschool chapel gatherings for each class
- Plan and lead music for Vacation Bible School and possible additional enrichment camps
- Develop after-school enrichment program for SPEP students
- Assist with seasonal family worship services, guiding opportunities for musical participation and leadership of children
- Explore ways to bring more music into the children and family formation ministries
- Collaborate for continuity between parish and school in integrating music into learning and worship
Requirements
- Eagerness to share and encourage the joy and fun of making music
- Experience with and passion for working with children and youth
- Creativity, openness, and a collaborative spirit
- Successful experience conducting and musically training children
- Enthusiasm for reaching out to and including newcomers, including non-traditional families
- Foundational knowledge of music theory and solfège and the ability to introduce these in an age-appropriate way
- Keyboard skills sufficient to lead rehearsals alone. An accompanist will be present to play for all services
- Deep and thoughtful Christian faith, and an appreciation for the Episcopal tradition
- A bachelor's degree in music or music education is preferred, but not required
- Training/certifications (already completed or to be completed): Safeguarding church trainings, anti-racism training, First-Aid, and CPR
