Music Director

Church Music Director

Progressive Unitarian Universalist congregation in Rockland, Maine is hiring a part-time Music Director with strong choral directing and piano skills. Responsibilities include playing at weekly services and conducting weekly choir rehearsals. The choir sings twice monthly during worship service. Our congregation values a music program of diverse traditions. This position is 15 hours/week and we are looking to hire immediately.

Job Summary

The Music Director is responsible for overseeing all duties as related to music in the church for Sunday worship services, any special religious holiday services such as Christmas and Easter, and occasional ceremonial services including weddings and memorials. S/he will also oversee the congregation’s musical participation in the wider community and associations like the local interfaith Thanksgiving service and the Bangor UU Choir Festival. The Music Director is entitled to miss Sunday worship services during periods of paid vacation and sick leave, as well as on four additional Sundays each year.

Essential Functions

• Provides musical accompaniment for all church services where an accompaniment is essential (hymns, choir anthems, etc.)

• Conducts the choir for Sunday worship services and special services as needed.

• Designs and executes rehearsals for the choir on Tuesday evenings and on the Sunday mornings when they are singing.

• Maintains a diverse and vibrant music library.

• Oversees music program budget and maintenance of instruments.

• Collaborates with the minister to plan, select, and perform music that is coordinated emotionally and thematically with the worship service creating a powerful, successful cohesive experience.

• Cultivates relationships with other musicians to provide varied forms and opportunities for members and friends to add to worship.

Core Competencies

• Musicality. Proficient and skilled in chosen instruments, so that music continues to be a vital part of worship, conveys different and appropriate emotion through music and supports worship themes by appropriate selection and performance.

• Direction: Able to effectively organize, direct, enable and conduct an adult choir

• Planning. Can properly plan in advance for all musically related activities. To prepare others so that they can perform to the best of their abilities.

• Interpersonal skills. Demonstrates the ability to lead, especially in large group settings like choir rehearsals. Can work well with both choir and other church members openly accepting advice and criticism while graciously and diplomatically defending the values of the church.

• Positive Attitude. Sets a positive and inviting tone for the program filled with infectious enthusiasm and excitement about our church and its music program. Creatively finds ways to involve congregants in the music program.

• Worship presence. Can hold the attention and space of the congregation. Charismatically lead hymn singing and congregational involvement in the music program during worship. Work collaboratively with the minister to create powerful worship experiences.

• Mission Ownership. Demonstrates understanding and full support of the mission, vision, values and beliefs of the congregation; can demonstrate those values to others; consistently behaves in a manner congruent with the mission, vision, values and beliefs.

Job Type: Part-time

Experience:

• relevant: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location:

• One location