Position Opening

posted 5/1/08

Choir Director
Congregational Music Leader
Organist/Pianist

Position Description:            
Calvary Lutheran Church is seeking a person to serve as a part time choir director, music leader and/or organist/pianist who would enjoy leading a wonderfully strong music program with an eclectic blend of classical/gospel/global/contemporary music. This person will work with a committed choir of approximately 12-16 members, and will help lead the congregation in Lutheran liturgical settings, which often change seasonally. Instruments include a baby grand piano and a wonderful pipe organ. There is one weekly Eucharistic worship service on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Choir rehearsals are on Wednesday evening.  The congregation is flexible about negotiating time off. 
Calvary Lutheran Church, located at 39th Street & Chicago Avenues in south Minneapolis, is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Calvary welcomes the applications of persons of any ethnic origin, race, gender or sexual orientation.  The position is open until filled.  The congregation is willing to consider a candidate who is interested in serving both as choir director and pianist/organist, or splitting the position into two, with one of the two persons serving as director of music.  Salary is commensurate with qualifications & responsibilities.

Qualifications:  
Must be able to direct a choir and provide leadership for congregational singing.  Should have knowledge of choral literature and choral directing techniques, and ability to motivate and encourage congregants in using their unique gifts, and an ability to work positively with persons of all ages. Organist/pianist must have excellent keyboard skills and have knowledge of and openness to a diverse blend of hymnody and liturgical music. Knowledge of the liturgy and the liturgical year is important.

Description of Calvary Lutheran Church:
Calvary Lutheran Church is small, vibrant, and welcoming ELCA Lutheran congregation located at 39th Street and Chicago Ave. in south Minneapolis, in an economically and ethnically diverse neighborhood.  On a typical Sunday, 75-100 people join in worship at Calvary in a beautiful older, but newly remodeled sanctuary. We have a rich, lively and historic liturgical traditional that includes strong singing, eclectic music, quality preaching, and a strong awareness of our call to be “in the city for good.” We have a dynamic young children’s education program, an active food shelf, a strong focus on social justice, and are committed to living out God’s grace within our neighborhood. 

Our UrbanArtsAcademy, which serves preschool through middle-school aged youth and their families in the area, is one example of the congregation’s commitment to the community. We are a Reconciled in Christ congregation, and welcome all people who have been excluded because of cultural or ethnic background, race, physical or mental abilities, socioeconomic or family status, gender or age.  This welcome includes persons who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, their partners and families.

The congregation has a history of using diverse musical styles in worship – including traditional hymnody, gospel, global/contemporary music in worship, often blending them within the same service.  We pay attention to liturgical seasons, and often alter our liturgies as the seasons change.

Contact:
Send resume along with letters of reference to:  Laura Huff, Chair of Musician Search Committee, Calvary Lutheran Church, 3901 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407. For more information. please email Laura Huff at andersonhuff@yahoo.com.