Dear Members of the Search Committee,
I am writing to express my interest in the Music Director position at Davidson United Methodist Church. With a strong background in church music leadership across multiple denominations, including significant experience within the United Methodist tradition, I am eager to bring my skills, faith, and passion for worship to your congregation.
I currently serve as Director of Music Ministries at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona, where I lead a comprehensive and collaborative music program that includes choir, handbells, and worship band. My work centers on shaping worship that is both theologically grounded and musically engaging, supporting congregational song while fostering excellence across ensembles. I have also served in similar roles at First United Methodist Church in Fuquay-Varina and other congregations, where I developed musicians, mentored leaders, and sustained vibrant worship life across traditional and blended contexts .
My academic work has deeply informed my approach to ministry. I hold a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music from East Carolina University, where I focused on the role of music in the life of the church. My research has explored fostering strong and healthy clergy-musician partnerships, the sacred works of Duke Ellington and Kurt Weill as meaningful resources for worship, and the evolution of church music in the wake of Vatican II, particularly its implications for participation, accessibility, and musical diversity in congregational life. This work continues to shape my professional engagement, including my upcoming presentation, “Come Sunday: Duke Ellington in Worship,” at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship & Music Conference in Montreat, North Carolina.
As a musician, I am proficient in piano and conducting, with working knowledge of organ, and I am comfortable leading worship, accompanying services, and coordinating music across a wide range of liturgical settings. As a leader, I am committed to building ministries that are both musically excellent and spiritually formative. I strive to create an environment where volunteers and staff are encouraged, equipped, and empowered to grow, and where collaboration with clergy and other ministry leaders is marked by trust, clarity, and shared purpose.
Davidson United Methodist Church’s emphasis on leadership development, intergenerational ministry, and excellence in worship resonates strongly with my own approach. I am particularly drawn to your commitment to nurturing musicians of all ages, supporting a variety of ensembles, and ensuring that music meaningfully supports the proclamation of the Word.
I have included my resume, statement of faith, philosophy of sacred music, and pertinent audio and video recordings for your review below.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience, research, and vision align with your needs. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
William Clayton Whittington
Media
Below you will find a curated selection of video recordings that represent the breadth of my work in music and ministry. These include examples of choral conducting, handbell direction, contemporary worship leadership, music from the community of Taizé, and Psalm chanting (in this case, from the United Methodist Hymnal). Many of the organ and hymn-based recordings were created during the COVID-19 pandemic for online worship, and they reflect both the adaptability and the pastoral care required in that unique season of ministry. This media portfolio is offered as a glimpse into the diverse musical language through which I strive to shape meaningful, authentic, and spiritually grounded worship.