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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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• Bachelor’s degree in music, with an emphasis in Church or Sacred Music, or a related

• Participates in twice-monthly morning staff meetings, weekly worship planning, and

monthly evening meetings of the Worship Team

We are looking for a candidate with these qualifications:

Required:

field

• 4-8 years’ experience in conducting choral, orchestral, and handbell ensembles

• Organ or piano proficiency

• Leadership experience

Preferred:

• 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.

While working as Director of Traditional Music and Worship Arts at First Presbyterian Church,

the following benefits will be offered:

1. Starting annual salary range between $62,000-$75,000 (depending on experience and skills)

2. Health Insurance (church pays 75% of the premium)

3. Retirement 403b incentive program

4. Reimbursed costs for approved continued education

5. Sabbatical Leave (1 month after 7 years of service)

To apply, please email a cover letter and résumé to directorofmusicsearch@firstpresgj.org

The first thing to know about who we are is that we're not all alike. We come from a variety of backgrounds and faith experiences. We cover a broad spectrum of vocations, generations, educational levels, musical tastes, socio-economic situations, and political affiliations. Some of us grew up in the Church and some of us are still learning what it means to be a follower of Jesus -- or a Presbyterian for that matter. We don't come out of the same mold, that's for sure. There are some pretty important similarities among us, however. In one way or another, we want to be Rooted in Jesus, Growing in His Love, and Branching Out to Serve Others. We hope to extend God's grace and Kingdom in tangible ways. Together, we rely on God to speak to us through His Holy Word and by His Holy Spirit. And we try to maintain a high view of scripture while reading it through the lens of Jesus Christ -- who was full of grace and truth. Speaking of Jesus, it is Christ who holds us together.

Living on the Western Slope of Colorado means we're fairly laid back -- although we are familiar with and embrace our heritage as Presbyterians. We like to laugh and worship -- and often laugh in worship. We like the fact that God is constantly pushing us back into the community and world to serve in His name. And we like seeing each other at church and in our everyday lives.