Bell Choir Director
We are seeking a Bell Choir Director to provide high-quality inspirational music and establish a positive environment to enhance the music ministry of the church.
Expected time commitment: Approximately 6 - 8 hours per week
Hourly rate: $20+
Supervisor: Director of Music
Seasonal: Approximately September 1 - Pentecost
To Apply: Please begin the process by sending your resume to our Church Administrator. Hit the Apply Now button.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibility: Facilitate Worship
- 1: Provide handbell choir music during 10:30 a.m. worship services about once a month.
- 2: Provide additional handbell choir music for worship services as suggested (i.e., hymn or choir accompaniment).
- 3: Provide handbell choir music for special worship services during the Advent and Easter seasons.
- 4: Work with the Pastor, Music Director, and other worship staff to plan worship services.
Responsibility: Support Other Music Ministries
- 1: Work with other music ministry leaders to determine performance schedules and roles.
- 2: Recognize shared use of space, time, and resources, and plan fair use accordingly.
- 3: Give handbell choir schedules to ministry support staff for timely inclusion in calendars, bulletins, etc.
Responsibility: Recruit and Train Volunteer Handbell Choir Members
- 1. Hold weekly handbell choir rehearsals, preferably Tuesdays from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., beginning and ending rehearsals on time.
- 2. Give sufficient notice and reminders for special rehearsals and performances.
- 3. Be available to set bells up and take them down for rehearsals and worship services, recruiting volunteers for assistance. Bell tables remain in the sanctuary.
- 4. Support bell choir members requiring individual assistance (i.e., by marking music, teaching handbell techniques, or rehearsing individual parts).
- 5. Locate, contact, and schedule substitute ringers as needed.
- 6. Maintain membership in the Handbell Musicians of America organization and keep current with their Overtones magazine publication, as well as the periodic catalogs from handbell music publishing houses.
- 7. Select music that is both valuable in worship and engaging to the ringers.
- 8. Manage the handbell budget.
Responsibility: Manage Instruments
- 1. Maintain all instruments and equipment.
- 2. Clean handbells with polishing cloths after each rehearsal and polish them yearly with Simichrome polishing paste.
- 3. Inventory parts needing replacement, obtain them, and make repairs in-house when possible.
Responsibility: Manage Equipment
- 1. Inventory and maintain the supply of auxiliary equipment (tables, foam pads, table covers, binders, stands, lights, gloves, mallets, dowels, music, etc.).
- 2. Maintain organized storage for all equipment.
- 3. Keep the handbell table area organized and tidy to present a clean look during worship services when not in use.
- 4. Order, catalog, and file handbell music.
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic requirements are as follows:
- • Musical knowledge and skill in directing and teaching handbell choirs
- • Knowledge of music regarding appropriateness for liturgical seasons while considering the skill level of handbell choir members
- • Ability to work well with others
- • Good communication skills, including written, verbal, and electronic
- • Good organizational and follow-through skills