Music Director Job Description
Requirements: A degree in music or comparable piano training and/or experience to carry out the duties below.
Responsibilities: (Average 12-15 hours per week)
- Collaborate with the ministers or other service leaders to create meaningful, thematic worship services with sufficient advanced planning for all parties involved
- Prepare and perform quality music representing a broad range of musical styles that enhances Sunday and Christmas Eve services, to include: a prelude, centering music, hymns, regular congregational responses, music to underscore Joys and Sorrows ritual and collection of the offering, and a postlude.
- Be present for 48 Sunday services from 9:30 am until approximately noon and a Christmas Eve service in the late afternoon or early evening
- Lead congregational singing while accompanying or arrange for volunteers to provide support
- Collaborate with the Tech Director to amplify/mic service music for optimal in- person and on-line volume, clarity, and quality
- Submit titles of music selections to the church administrator at an agreed upon schedule
- Participate in staff meetings, staff retreat, worship tech meetings, music budget planning meetings as negotiated for the contract
- Attend and participate in regular Music Committee meetings to assess, maintain, and grow the music program
- Oversee piano tuning and maintenance
- Report to the appropriate licensing agencies each month the copywritten music that has been performed or collaborate with a volunteer to see that this is done
- Submit recommendations for a yearly music budget
- Manage and document yearly budget expenditures
- Complete the required documentation once each year for the Laws’ Music Endowment funds
- Prepare a summary of the music ministry each year for the annual report
- Maintain active membership in AUUMM, the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries and utilize its resources
- Write short educational descriptions of some of the service music for inclusion in the Order of Service or weekly Previews
- Recruit and rehearse with volunteers from the congregation for occasional solos, small ensembles or instrumental features to provide variety and augment weekly service music
- Provide piano music for weddings and memorial services when available, remuneration to be provided by those requesting the service
- Arrange for replacement pianists or pre-recorded music for quarterly Sunday off
- Review the music content on the website quarterly and update it at least once a year
- In collaboration with other staff, post music-related content on social media regularly
- Work with the minister and the Music Committee to lay the groundwork for an expanded music program in the next few years
- Create several opportunities during the year for short term/ad hoc choir experiences requiring 2 or 3 rehearsals
- Support Unitarian Universalist principles, the mission and covenant of UUCV, and follow all UUCV safety guidelines and policies, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion
Benefits:
- Use of church piano for personal practice
- Use of church space and piano for music lessons and recitals
- Annual membership in AUUMM, the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries
- One Sunday per quarter without playing responsibilities, exact dates subject to approval and not to include Christmas Eve or Easter
Remuneration: This is a salaried position estimated at 12-15 hours per week. Exact remuneration to be negotiated based on experience and availability, approximately $15,000 a year to be paid bi-monthly.
Please send a cover letter, resume or CV, and the names, telephone numbers and email addresses of three references to our Church Administrator [email protected]