Jody Diskin
Mechanicsburg,PA
Summary
Dynamic Musical Director with a proven track record at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, and Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, enhancing worship through innovative liturgical music selection and effective choir direction. Renowned for professional reliability and collaborative musicianship, I fostered community engagement and developed diverse repertoires, ensuring memorable worship experiences and seamless service integration.
Additionally, I worked as an organist and choir director for these congregations to provide organ selections for traditional and community services.
Overview
47
47
years of professional experience
Work History
Musical Director
Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewisberry, PA
07.2016 - Current
- Conducted choir rehearsals, fostering vocal development and musical proficiency among members.
- Arranged music selections aligned with liturgical themes to enhance worship experiences.
- Collaborated with clergy to integrate music into services, ensuring cohesive worship flow.
- Developed seasonal performance programs, engaging congregation participation and enhancing community spirit.
Organist and Choir Direct
Mount Olivet United Methodist Church
09.2006 - Current
- Conducted weekly worship services, enhancing congregational engagement through diverse musical selections.
- Collaborated with choir to arrange and rehearse pieces, fostering a cohesive worship experience.
- Provided music for special events and seasonal services, ensuring alignment with church themes and traditions.
- Coordinated with pastoral staff to select hymns and liturgical music, supporting overall service flow and intent.
- Directed adult vocal choir, children's choir, bell choir and chime choirs.
- Led music ministry initiatives, mentoring volunteer musicians to develop their skills and confidence.
- Improved service efficiency by streamlining rehearsal schedules and enhancing communication among team members.
- Performed at special events such as weddings, funerals, and holiday services, providing a memorable atmosphere for attendees, including cantatas and Christmas events with a variety of musicians.
- Selected and led congregation in different hymns and praise songs.
- Managed sheet music library efficiently, ensuring easy access to materials needed for rehearsals and performances.
- Attended and participated in all scheduled rehearsals.
- Learned performance pieces thoroughly to provide best possible accompaniment.
- Performed pieces on piano and keyboard for special occasions.
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay current on best practices for liturgical music performance and collaboration techniques.
- Improved service flow by coordinating with clergy members on hymn selection, pacing, and transitions between elements of worship.
- Enhanced worship services by skillfully playing the organ for various congregations and events.
- Maintained the organ in excellent condition through regular tuning and prompt repair of any issues.
- Played at weddings and funerals of church and community members.
- Established a strong reputation for professionalism and reliability through consistent punctuality, preparedness, and effective communication with church leadership.
- Developed a repertoire of diverse musical styles, catering to different denominational preferences and traditions.
- Demonstrated adaptability by swiftly responding to last-minute changes in service plans or music selections without compromising performance quality.
- Achieved desired tonal and harmonic balance by communicating clearly with musicians.
Organist and Choir Director
St. Andrew's In The Valley Episcopal Church
08.1994 - 07.2006
- Led rehearsals, providing guidance on technique and interpretation to musicians.
- Oversaw maintenance of organ instruments, ensuring optimal performance quality.
- Developed innovative programs to engage congregation through music participation.
- Coordinated with clergy to integrate music into liturgical schedules effectively.
- Promoted unity among diverse congregation members through thoughtful selections that represented various cultural backgrounds and traditions.
Organist and Choir Director
Donaldson United Methodist Church
09.1978 - 06.1980
- Selected and led congregation in different hymns and praise songs.
- Worked with church leadership to select music and plan performances.
- Performed at special events such as weddings, funerals, and holiday services, providing a memorable atmosphere for attendees.
Education
Private Piano Lessons - 12 Years
Master of Science - Special Education/Elementary Education
Millersviile University/Penn State University Harrisburg
Millersville And Middletown, PA05-2008
Bachelor of Science - Elementary/Special Education
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, PA05-2001
Skills
- Choir direction
- Rehearsal coordination
- Liturgical music selection
- Sheet music management
- Worship Integration
- Organ maintenance
- Communication with clergy
- Choral directing
- Collaborative musicianship
- Sight reading
- Instrumentation
- Music theory expertise
Timeline
Musical Director
Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewisberry, PA
07.2016 - Current
Organist and Choir Direct
Mount Olivet United Methodist Church
09.2006 - Current
Organist and Choir Director
St. Andrew's In The Valley Episcopal Church
08.1994 - 07.2006
Organist and Choir Director
Donaldson United Methodist Church
09.1978 - 06.1980
Private Piano Lessons - 12 Years
Master of Science - Special Education/Elementary Education
Millersviile University/Penn State University Harrisburg
Bachelor of Science - Elementary/Special Education
Millersville University of Pennsylvania