Second First Church of Rockford (Illinois) seeks an enthusiastic Director of Handbell Ministries to lead and teach 5 vibrant bell choirs age 7-mature (3 directly). The handbell set consists of 169 bells which includes duplicates and triplicates that cover nearly 7 full octaves from low G (an octave and a fourth below middle C) to a high D# (an octave and a third above the top C on the piano). In addition to the set of 169 bells, one of the adult choirs has another 4 octave set of Whitechapel bells.
Second First Church is a federated church of the UCC and PCUSA denominations and is active in Downtown Rockford, IL. Music is an important and living part of our worship. For nearly 70 years, the bell choirs of Second Congregational have utilized marked music (red for right, green for left) to accommodate the duplicate and triplicate set. Choirs meet on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and generally perform multiple times per year in church, and two concerts – one in Winter and one in Spring and outside engagements as appropriate.
Key responsibilities of this part-time position include planning and running rehearsals, coordinating performances, recruiting members, overseeing inventory and maintenance of bells, ordering and marking music, managing Bell program, maintaining communication with Director of Music and Music Ministry Team, partnering with other musicians in church, coordinating with other departments of church especially worship team and youth ministry, and drafting program copy.
To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to Bell Task Force, Second First Church of Rockford, 318 N. Church Str. Rockford, IL 61101 or email debbie.wise@secondfirst.org. Deadline is April 21, 2017. No relocation expenses available.