Director of Music Ministry – First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, NY

Who We Are:

Located in Yorktown Heights, New York, just one hour north of New York City, the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown is the second oldest church in Westchester County. Our church was organized in 1730 by the initial settlers of the area — people whose names are remembered on the gravestones in our cemetery, and on the streets and localities of our community. Our first meeting house was built in 1738, and was burned by the British during the American Revolution because the church was storing munitions for the rebels in the basement. (We were rebels for justice even back then!) The second building was constructed in 1783, and was replaced by our current sanctuary in 1838.

We are an active intergenerational congregation of 400 members. We are committed to compelling worship, life-long faith formation, intentional fellowship, inspirational stewardship and transformational mission under the umbrella of radical hospitality. While we cherish our past, we are fully focused on God’s call to be the church in the 21st century that connects with God, with one another, and the world. Our ministry welcomes all who are searching for their spiritual path, as well as those established in their faith. We are an inclusive church family that invites all, regardless of their faith background, race, gender, sexual orientation, or financial status. We currently offer two Sunday morning worship services from September to June, and one service during the summer, and occasional special services.

Our music ministry is supported by a 22-member volunteer adult choir, two handbell choirs, a 2 manual Austin pipe organ, a Steinway model ‘B’ grand piano, three rehearsal pianos, Roland Classic digital harpsichord, and various percussion instruments. Our congregation includes a variety of instrumentalists, both amateur and professional. We enthusiastically embrace a variety of musical styles, from traditional classical European to World Music, from Gospel to Jazz, and from much-loved hymns to contemporary Christian music. We value diversity in excellent music that supports an experiential, relevant, and connectional worship. To learn more about us, please visit our website at www.fpcyorktown.org.

But enough about us…

Here’s what we know about our next Director of Music Ministry:

Our next Director of Music Ministry will provide collaborative leadership in the music and worship life of our church. Our DMM will view the church and the church’s music as a true calling, cherish music makers of all ages and abilities, foster congregational participation, and not least, be an accomplished church musician, teacher, and practitioner. While we believe we are looking for the traditional skilled organist, keyboardist, and choral director combo working between 30 – 40 hours weekly, we are open to discussing other models with you. Our Director of Music Ministry will bring a passion to music in the service of worship, and will be an approachable, flexible, and creative member of our worship design team.

Our Director of Music Ministry will be a familiar face around the church to members of our congregation—at worship services, fellowship time, and special events and activities throughout the week—and a partner with church staff and leadership. The DMM will work closely with and report directly to the co-pastors. The DMM will also be a member of the Worship Design Commission, which meets regularly to vision, design, and coordinate worship themes and programs. The DMM will work with professionals and volunteers (children, youth and adults), serving as an encouraging resource to support, inspire, and coordinate the worship life of the church through congregational, choral, and instrumental music.

We expect that the Director of Music Ministry will:

Be a trained musician with a minimum of Bachelors in Music or equivalent
Have expertise in vocal technique and choral conducting
Have experience conducting handbells (or willingness to learn)
Direct choirs, provide music at worship services, and schedule and conduct rehearsals
Identify and encourage persons who play musical instruments to participate in worship services, and mentor congregational participation in the church’s musical life
Explore new and expanded musical ensembles and offer musical enrichment opportunities to the congregation
Develop relationships with the surrounding musical community, and extend the musical ministry of our church into the community
Hold regular office hours
Purchase music and maintain an organized music library
Administer the music budget
Oversee the use, care, and maintenance of the church’s musical instruments
Recruit, hire, and supervise outside musicians as needed

Most of all, we look forward to welcoming a dynamic Director of Music Ministry who will share our joy of music, and help us become a more faithful worshiping community. Please send letter of interest, resume and media samples (if available) to the Director of Music Ministry Search Committee at: DMMsearch@fpcyorktown.org