Music Director

POSITION DESCRIPTION

As part of the staff team at St. George’s Episcopal Church, the Music Director plays the piano and directs the volunteer choir and prepares anthems and hymns for worship.  The Music Director has primary responsibility for the musical aspects of the Sunday services and certain special services in the liturgical calendar, working in cooperation with the Rector and music ministry members to create meaningful, creative, and faithful worship.  It is a salaried position with an anticipated commitment of 10-12 hours per week.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES. The Music Director will: 

• Engage music ministries at St. George’s in a way that enriches the spiritual life of the congregation.
• Be an integral part of the church ministry team, cooperate with all parties, be diligent in preparation and performance for rehearsals and services, be present at moments as necessary for the proper functioning of the church and the flow of worship (such as an hour prior to Sunday services), and with input from the rector and other members of the music ministry, take primary responsibility for choosing hymns for services that are seasonally and liturgically appropriate.
• Choose, in coordination with Rector and others, hymns, choir anthems and service music from a wide range of hymnals, styles and genres as appropriate to the themes of worship and seasons of the church year, with an eye towards promoting diversity in musical styles and including other instrumentation and/or vocal soloists as appropriate.
• Be familiar with the liturgy of the Episcopal Church or take responsibility to learn, so as to bring knowledge and expertise to rehearsals and services.
• Create an environment of joy, openness, sensitivity and support with choir members, teaching parts as necessary, and ensuring the choir is and feels prepared for each service.
• Lead music at weekly 10AM Sunday worship services, as well as special services as required in the church year, listed explicitly here: Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Christmas Eve. Other services may be negotiated but shall not be required.
• Plan the special Christmas and Holy Week programs for the choir and prepare the choir in a timely manner so as to inspire confidence in their abilities and bring out their best efforts.
• Provide or arrange for musical accompaniment for weddings, funerals, and memorial services, as
  needed. These services will be compensated separately.
• Choose and perform preludes, postludes, and occasional other pieces of special music during services, including piano and possibly other instruments and/or voices.
• Be attentive to copyright issues and share appropriate information with the church office for license reporting purposes.
• Coordinate ordering of anthems for the choir, with attention to the music budget
• Prepare a brief summary of the music ministry annual for the Parish Annual Report
• Provide oversight and coordination of:
  • Rehearsals
  • Musicians, including soloists and accompanists.
  • The Choir, which sings on Sundays and special occasions.
  • Substitutes when the Music Director is not present.
  • Informal recruitment of new members, e.g. announcements during services, and integration of new members.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Technical
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Music or equivalent experience.
  • Technical skill in playing the piano.
  • Technical skill and experience in congregational accompaniment, choral leadership, and direction.
  • Ability to teach and lead choir members to sing their parts in harmony.
  • Possess a working knowledge of the liturgical calendar and applicability to musical selections, or be willing to learn.
  • Possess a working knowledge of a variety of worship music styles, e.g., traditional, contemporary, blended.
• Leadership
  • Ability to create a welcoming and joyous environment for St. George’s musicians and a vibrant worship and music experience for the congregation.
  • Ability to encourage and develop the musical talents of the choir members and parishioners who play musical instruments.
• Work Style
  • Ability and willingness to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to work as part of a cohesive team.
  • Ability to plan ahead and adapt to unexpected situations.

This position is based upon a one-year contract, with an option to renew annually. The selected applicant will be required to complete a background check prior to beginning employment.

Best consideration given to applications postmarked/received by August 31, 2025