Valerie Martin
Newport News,VA
Summary
Dynamic Minister of Music with a proven track record at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, enhancing worship through innovative music selection and fostering community engagement. Skilled in choral conducting and vocal coaching, I successfully increased choir participation by 25%, while creating memorable musical experiences that resonate across diverse congregational backgrounds.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Church Musician/Assistant to Minister of Music
Union Missionary Baptist Church of Elizabeth
04.2016 - 03.2025
- Evaluated performance feedback from the congregation and made necessary adjustments to improve overall satisfaction with church music offerings.
- Enhanced worship experience by skillfully playing various musical instruments during services.
- Worked closely with pastoral staff to select appropriate music that supported sermon themes and liturgical seasons.
- Developed an extensive repertoire of hymns, anthems, and other sacred music pieces to accommodate diverse church services.
- Arranged and composed music for special events, resulting in memorable and meaningful experiences for the congregation.
- Maintained excellent working relationships with clergy, staff, and volunteers to foster a positive and collaborative environment for music ministry.
- Collaborated with the choir and other musicians to create a cohesive and harmonious sound during performances.
- Planned and coordinated special events such as Christmas concerts or Easter programs, creating engaging musical experiences for attendees.
- Implemented innovative approaches to traditional hymns and contemporary songs, keeping the church''s music program fresh and engaging for all participants.
- Improved congregational participation in worship by introducing new songs that resonated with different age groups.
- Kept abreast of new developments in sacred music through workshops, conferences, and professional networking opportunities.
- Adapted quickly to changes in service formats or personnel needs, demonstrating flexibility as a musician and team player.
Musician/Choir Director
First Baptist Church of Cranford
06.2012 - 03.2016
- Expanded musical repertoire through exploration of diverse genres, styles, and techniques.
- Collaborated with fellow musicians for seamless performances and increased audience engagement.
- Scheduled rehearsals with other musicians and choirs.
- Played various instruments professionally, including guitar, piano and drums.
- Selected music carefully in order to achieve balance of musical styles on program.
- Selected appropriate pieces to meet performance needs and showcase skills.
- Selected and arranged music for [Number] holiday performances and special events.
- Studied scores at length to learn music in detail and develop suitable interpretations.
- Provided oversight and administration for [Type] music programs.
- Mentored individual choir members, providing personalized guidance on vocal technique, stage presence, and musicianship for improved performance quality.
- Developed clear performance expectations and guidelines for choir members, promoting a high standard of professionalism during rehearsals and concerts.
- Strengthened partnerships with other music educators in sharing resources, ideas, and best practices to enrich overall teaching methods.
- Coordinated, planned and led practices for musical components of church services.
- Arranged music, solos and instrumental accompaniment for special performances.
- Cultivated a positive rehearsal environment by fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and camaraderie among choir members.
Minister of Music
Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Boonton
03.2000 - 06.2012
- Mentored and coached volunteer musicians, improving their skills and fostering a sense of community within the music team.
- Utilized technology in planning and presenting music to enhance worship message.
- Implemented successful recruitment campaigns within the community that resulted in increased interest and participation in the music ministry program.
- Promoted fellowship within and helped recruit new volunteers into music ministry.
- Managed music ministry budget and submitted required reports, estimates and requests by deadlines.
- Streamlined communication processes between musicians, clergy staff, volunteers which improved overall coordination during event planning stages.
- Engaged congregation through musical worship experience by spreading vitality.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive music ministry program, resulting in increased participation and engagement from the congregation.
- Provided inspiring and motivational music ministry during worship services, programs and events to uplift, encourage and entertain people with positive messages and values.
- Managed budgets and resources effectively, ensuring availability of materials for rehearsals and performances.
- Facilitated ongoing professional development opportunities for musicians through workshops, masterclasses, and guest artist engagements.
- Planned, organized and led music ministry during worship service by motivating congregational participation and providing direction to choir members and musicians.
- Provided pastoral care to members of the music ministry team, offering support during times of personal or spiritual struggle.
- Evaluated individual progress among music team members, providing personalized guidance and feedback to enhance skill development.
- Fostered a supportive environment within the music ministry team, emphasizing teamwork and collaboration to achieve common goals.
- Recruited new members to the music ministry through targeted outreach efforts, growing the team by 25% over three years.
- Selected repertoire that reflected diverse cultural backgrounds within the congregation, promoting inclusivity through song selection process.
- Oversaw copyright compliance for all musical materials used in worship services, avoiding potential legal issues or fines related to performance rights violations.
- Promoted and empowered full participation of congregation by singing verses and acclamations designated for choir in dialogue with congregation and enriching liturgy with harmonies.
- Implemented effective rehearsal schedules that maximized productivity while respecting participants'' time commitments.
- Managed music library, maintaining an organized system for easy access to sheet music and reference materials.
- Introduced contemporary worship styles alongside traditional hymns, creating an engaging atmosphere that appealed to a broader range of congregants.
- Acquired music, equipment and supplies to perform designated duties in accordance with financial policies.
- Collaborated with pastoral staff to plan worship services that aligned with sermon themes and reinforced spiritual messages.
- Coordinated audiovisual equipment needs for all music-related activities, ensuring optimal sound quality during services and performances.
- Enhanced congregation''s spiritual growth by composing and directing diverse musical selections for worship services.
- Coached and mentored music ministry team members to become lifelong learners with respect to musical talents and spiritual development.
- Organized special musical events such as concerts, fundraising galas, and holiday programs to showcase the talents of the music ministry team.
- Rehearsed choir and conducted warm-up prior to services.
- Bridged generational and cultural differences by selecting balance of musical styles for every service and presenting spiritual context.
- Performed as versatile vocalist and instrumentalist to support inspirational worship services.
- Led and inspired worship team members and guided team in following church processes, guidelines and mission.
- Coordinated music and special vocals for worship services.
- Recruited volunteers for choirs and worship teams.
- Developed programs for holidays and unique events.
- Held worship team accountable for facilitating God-inspired worship and continually encouraged, equipped and empowered volunteers.
- Supported pastor in discerning and meeting spiritual needs and helped church members and guests develop sense of belonging.
- Attended regular practices and private lessons to hone skills.
- Directed groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- Positioned members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
- Selected and arranged music for [Number] holiday performances and special events.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Administration
Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL08-1987
Skills
- Pastoral care
- Rehearsal techniques
- Choral conducting
- Music theory
- Stage presence
- Ear training
- Vocal coaching
- Harmony singing
- Choir recruitment
- Contemporary worship
- Organ playing
- Children's choir direction
- Gospel music
- Hymn selection
- Traditional hymns
- Worship planning
- Strong attention to detail
- Versatile
- Teaching experience
- Scheduling
- Improvising
- Schedule management
- Musical theory
- Music selection
- Vocal tone
- Harmonizing
- Special performances
- Talented sight-reader
- Meeting schedules
- Music accompanists
- Voice instruction
- Key transpositioning
- Broad range of musical styles
Affiliations
- Member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (1989 - present)
- Member of the North Jersey Missionary District Music Ministry
2016 Recognize by the Central New Jersey Chapter(GMWA) as A Leader in Gospel Music
In 2016 , I was recognized by the Central Jersey Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America as a leader in music ministry. Received several citations from local/county/state government offices in (New Jersey).
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Church Musician/Assistant to Minister of Music
Union Missionary Baptist Church of Elizabeth
04.2016 - 03.2025
Musician/Choir Director
First Baptist Church of Cranford
06.2012 - 03.2016
Minister of Music
Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Boonton
03.2000 - 06.2012
Bachelor of Science - Administration
Alabama State University
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