Children's Choir Music Director

The Church of St. Paul the Apostle

405 West 59th Street

New York, NY 10019

Children's Choir Music Director - “St. Paul Choristers”

Position Overview We are seeking an energetic and talented choral director to lead our newly founded children's music program. The ideal candidate will combine strong musical proficiency with an engaging teaching style to inspire young learners across two distinct age brackets: ages 4–7 (early childhood) and ages 8–11 (elementary). This role requires a collaborative individual who can navigate both sacred and secular musical traditions, work closely with our music ministry, and effectively communicate with parents and the broader community. 

This is a new program with the expectation of growth. We are seeking a creative individual to help us expand as we evolve, can share in our excitement of growing, and a vision to achieve its highest potential.

Schedule, Key Dates & Compensation

• Term: January 4, 2027– May 31, 2027 
• Hours: 10 hours per week (includes instructional time, lesson and curriculum planning, repertoire preparation, and communications)
• Pay Rate: Salary commensurate with experience.
• Key Dates:
• First Rehearsal: January 11, 2027 (TBD)
• March 7th: Performance opportunity (singing in Mass)
• May 6th: Spring Concert

Key Responsibilities

• Curriculum Planning: Design and execute developmentally appropriate music curricula tailored to two age groups:
• Ages 4–7: Focus on rhythm foundations, vocal exploration, simple movement, and interactive musical play.
• Ages 8–11: Focus on foundational music theory, sight-reading, ensemble performance, and vocal technique.
• Ministry & Community Collaboration: Partner closely with the Music Ministry to coordinate performances, integrate music repertoire into programs, and align goals across departments.
• Communication & Outreach: Maintain proactive, clear, and encouraging communication with students, parents, and administration regarding rehearsals, progress, and upcoming events.
• Repertoire Preparation: Select and prepare a balanced repertoire of both sacred and secular music suitable for diverse events, services, and performances.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (or Music Education) OR a minimum of 4 years of direct teaching experience in an elementary or youth music setting.
• Musicianship: Proficiency in playing the piano.
• Curriculum & Pedagogy: Demonstrated ability to design structured, age-appropriate musical curricula for ages 4–7 and 8–11.
• Repertoire Knowledge: Solid familiarity with both sacred and secular musical traditions and literature. (Although knowledge of sacred music is expected, being Catholic is not a prerequisite for the position).
• Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills and experience collaborating within a music department, as well as communicating effectively with students, parents, and community members.
• Video Submission: A video submission of one’s work either directing or teaching young students music is required alongside your resume submission.

Preferred Attributes

• Warm, patient, and creative approach to building a love of music in children.
• Strong organizational skills for managing rehearsals, music libraries, and event schedules.
• Flexibility and enthusiasm for participating in community and ministry events.