Full Time Position Description

Minister of Music and Organist

Augustana Lutheran Church

5000 E. Alameda Ave. Denver, CO 80246

Augustana Lutheran Church is seeking a full-time Minister of Music and Organist to undergird Augustana’s rich liturgical worship as we carry out our mission to worship Jesus, grow in faith and go serve in the world. The focus of this position is not only to organize and carry out excellent music for worship services but also to connect with the wider community through concerts, education, and collaboration. Our ideal candidate demonstrates musical excellence and an ability to create a welcoming environment for participation and engagement. As an expression of faith, music is deeply important to the congregation of Augustana Lutheran Church. Position Summary: The Minister of Music and Organist works with all ministries and staff of Augustana Lutheran Church for the spiritual development of the congregation. As such, they will coordinate Augustana’s music ministry, play organ and piano for two Sunday worship services each week, and direct ensembles when necessary. The priority of this ministry is to invite musicians, the congregation, and the community to experience the healing power and inspiration of music

Major Responsibilities: Evangelism

• Coordinates and/or leads Augustana’s musical ensembles in proclaiming the Gospel through music.

• Partners with all other ministries to promote the congregation’s mission goals as identified in our strategic plan document.

• With Augustana staff and musicians, plans and carries out collaborative large-scale worship and music experiences in partnership with Augustana Arts and its performance ensembles.

• Builds relationships and community through potential collaborations with other congregations and organizations, especially those that encourage Augustana to strengthen relationships with Communities of Color, LGBTQ+ communities, and others.

Music Ministry

• Provides organ and piano leadership for corporate worship services, selecting music that not only honors and treasures our rich Lutheran liturgical tradition but also celebrates the richness of other cultures and traditions.

• Provides accompaniment for the Chancel Choir at rehearsals, worship services, concerts, and three Saturday choir retreats.

• Provides leadership and resources for worship and parish life relating to organ and other instruments, to include performance and programs that will enhance Augustana’s outreach and evangelism efforts.

• Opportunity to lead and conduct the adult and youth handbell choirs, if qualified. • Recruits and supervises directors of Augustana’s musical ensembles. • Coordinates the music program for children and youth in partnership with the

directors of the Children and Youth Music Ministry and the Director of Youth and Family Ministries.

• In collaboration with the Chancel Choir Director, programs music for special liturgical events, such as large works with orchestra presented several times a year.

• Partners with pastoral staff, Worship Committee, and music personnel in worship planning, with particular responsibility for hymn selection, including hymnody that is creative and diverse representing a variety of cultures, instrumentations, and harmonizations.

• Serves as a voting member on the Augustana Arts Board, representing the interests of Augustana Lutheran Church.

• Shares responsibility with the Pastoral Care Team for pastoral care of members, especially those involved in music ensembles, including personal contact as appropriate.

• Provides musical resources for weddings, funerals, and other special services. • Attends weekly staff meetings. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge and appreciation of liturgical worship including hymn arrangements, liturgical worship settings, and organ repertoire.

• Understanding of the Revised Common Lectionary for selecting thematic music for liturgical worship services.

• Commitment to creativity in music and the arts while addressing matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Proficiency in conducting. • Proficiency in handbell directing, repertoire, and techniques preferred. • Ability to convey personal faith to others. • Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. • Proficient computer skills, data management, social media, internet, and email

competency. • Experience in budget and personnel management.

Qualification Requirements: • Undergraduate degree in Music required, Master’s Degree preferred. • 5+ years of experience as Music Director in comparably sized congregation. • Experience in budget and personnel management. • Appropriate professional standing and leadership experience, including professional

association memberships.

Physical Requirements: • Ability to play organ for worship or rehearsals for up to two hours. • Ability to conduct or assist in conducting a two-hour rehearsal. • Ability to oversee preparations for worship, rehearsal, and concert space.

Accountable Relationships:

• Reports to Senior Pastor. • Works closely with music personnel, both volunteer and paid staff. • Collaborates with other ministries in common mission.

Position Details:

• The position is full time and requires weekend hours and ability to navigate a flexible work week, including Wednesday night and Sunday morning choral rehearsals, three or more extended Saturday choir retreats per year, and additional rehearsals when large works are programmed. Additional rehearsals for one or more handbell choirs.

• Full benefit package provided including vacation days, medical insurance and retirement.

• Salary range is $55,000 to $60,000 with additional consideration for notable experience and education.

About Augustana Lutheran Church A congregation of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Augustana is a thriving Denver faith community with a rich 140-year history. Located in the Hilltop neighborhood, Augustana has long been identified as a place of musical excellence, both within the congregation and the wider community. We worship in ways that are authentic, Christ-centered, and that lift up God’s grace. We use our musical gifts and sacred space to inspire our worship. All of the musical ensembles at Augustana focus on music for the congregation’s worship services. Current ensembles at Augustana are:

• Chancel Choir: An adult choir of 40+ members • AVE (Augustana Vocal Ensemble): Augustana’s resident professional vocal quartet,

which also serves as the Chancel Choir section leaders and soloists for large works • Augustana Ringers: Adult handbell choir • Children and Youth Music Ministry which includes choirs and handbell choirs for ages 4

through 12th grade, recorders, and various instrumental ensembles

The congregation is also the host site for Augustana Arts, an independent arts organization that reaches out to the community through concert and ensemble opportunities as well as community outreach through its Music Encounters (formerly City Strings) program. The congregation’s music ministry overlaps most significantly with Augustana Arts in combined musical offerings joining together Stratus Chamber Orchestra and the Augustana choirs. Mission: Celebrating God’s grace, we welcome everyone to worship Jesus, grow in faith, and go serve in the world. Vision: Emboldened by God’s grace that we receive through Word, sacrament and our rich worship heritage, Augustana will be known for:

• Reaching out to new people • Being a center for music and the arts • Generosity of volunteerism, land, building, and financial

resources • Partnering with our neighboring community and with the

Church (local and global) Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We believe that Christ’s church is for all people. God calls each of us by name, and it is not our job to sort, divide, categorize, or exclude. In our worship and music, we will intentionally work towards inclusive repertoire and membership.

About the Augustana Lutheran Church Reuter Organ The Reuter Organ Company built the church's 63 rank, four-manual organ in 1941. The instrument was moved to the church's current location in the late 1950s, and it was significantly upgraded in 1985. In addition, an antiphonal trumpet division has been added in the balcony.

• 63 ranks • 3,764 pipes • 5 divisions • 4 manuals • 50 stops • 68 registers

Application Information is posted at www.augustanadenver.org/organist-search Priority application deadline is August 1, 2021. Applicants will be received through August 15.

Question? Email the Search Committee Chair, the Rev. Kent Mueller, at muellerkent@gmail.com