Messiah is currently seeking candidates for Director of Music/Organist

Messiah Lutheran Church of Knoxville, TN is seeking a part-time Director of Music/Organist who is a devoted Christian, an experienced church musician, a skilled choral director and organist, passionate about the mission and ministry of Messiah Lutheran Church, and who seeks to draw people deeper into their faith through engaging and spirit-filled music in a diversity of styles.

This position may be filled by either one person (the Director of Music/Organist, who is supervised by the Pastor) or by two people (the Director of Music, who is supervised by the Pastor, and the Organist, who is supervised by the Director of Music).  If the position is filled by two people, duties will be split into two separate job descriptions as appropriate.

About Messiah Lutheran Church

Messiah Lutheran Church is a community of faith affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  We are located at 6900 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.  The church has a two-manual, 18-stop Andover mechanical action pipe organ, a three-octave set of Malmark handbells, tone chimes, a Knabe upright piano, Orff instruments, and an extensive choral library.

Job Description and Compensation

Read job description by clicking the link below:

Job Description – Director of Music-Organist for MLC

Compensation is negotiable and will be based on experience of the selected candidate(s) and whether the position is filled by one or two people.  The entire Director of Music/Organist position is approximately a half-time position.  A bachelor’s degree in music or the equivalent is required.

How to Apply:  Email your resume and a cover letter stating if you are applying for the Director of Music/Organist position, the Director of Music position only, or the Organist position only to office@messiahknoxville.org.  Include contact information for at least three references, two personal and one professional.

Music is such a vital part of our life here at Messiah. We are fortunate to have a diverse and talented group of musicians of all ages who lead in worship and other activities throughout the year. Singing the liturgy is a primary focus of all of our worship. Strong hymn singing by the entire congregation is accompanied by a wonderful Andover pipe organ, experienced choirs and many instrumentalists and vocalists. Messiah has a long history of good music and musicians.

We invite everyone to join in the song of the assembly using whatever talents God has graced them with. We come together to “sing a joyful song to the Lord!

Instrumentalists
Messiah is fortunate to have talented instrumentalists who participate in worship as needed.  If you play an instrument and are interested in sharing your talent at Messiah, please talk with our interim Director of Music, John Brock. We are always excited to welcome new talent.

Luther Choir (10:00 am Worship)

The Luther Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings and sings regularly in Sunday worship services from September through May.  Membership is open to all singers, with or without choral singing experience.

Wittenberg Ringers (Handbells)

The Wittenberg Ringers are an adult handbell choir using Messiah’s three-octave set of Malmark bells. Rehearsals are currently on hold due to pandemic concerns.  In normal times they play in worship several times a year.

The Andover Organ

Messiah is blessed to have one of the best organs in East Tennessee. The organ is a two manual, 25 rank, mechanical action instrument built by the Andover Organ Company of Massachusetts. It was installed in 1982 and dedicated to Sally Nelson who served many years as Director of Music at Messiah. If you look closely at the area above the music desk, in front of the swell, you will see Sally’s favorite Bible passage: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” The organ was incomplete at the time of the original installation. The swell division and additional pedal stops were added in 1990. John Brock, professor of organ at the University of Tennessee, was organist during this time.

Click here for more information about the organ.