Position: Music Director

Start Date: September 1, 2025

Reports to: Standing Committee, with day-to-day supervision provided by the Minister

Job status: Part-time, 18-20 hours per week Sept 1–June 30; 5 hour per week July 1–Sept 1

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Pay Range: Salary $25,600 - $32,500

Job Summary

The Music Director is an integral member of the Worship Team, responsible for delivering a vibrant music program that serves the diverse spiritual needs of the congregation by choosing and integrating music into church worship services, directing and accompanying church choirs, and fostering an appreciation for music in worship among the children, youth and adults of the congregation.

Essential Functions

• Provide music, direct, and accompany the choir(s) at regularly scheduled Sunday morning services, two Christmas Eve services, a Tenebrae service and other special services.

• Participate as an integral member of the Worship Team.

• Select and perform a wide variety of musical pieces which support the spiritual tone for each service as planned with the Worship Team.

• Plan and conduct weekly rehearsals for senior choir, youth choir(s), and support hand bell choir.

• Ensure the care and maintenance of the church's musical instruments.

• Arrange for a list of substitutes to cover planned and sudden absences

• Prepare monthly reports on music program.

• Provide music at weddings and funerals for separate stipend, with right of first refusal; or secure substitute if unavailable.

• In conjunction with the DRE, provide support for music as part of the Lifespan Faith Formation program

• When work is virtually or in a hybrid setting follow First Parish protocols and procedures outlined in the HR Manual a with your supervisor’s approval and or by direction of the Standing Committee.

Other responsibilities

• Work closely with the Music Committee. This includes:

  • Attending all Music Committee meetings to plan an annual budget, arranging with the Office Assistant the purchase of all necessary music and music supplies

  • Writing the music program annual report

  • Setting policy for the music program

• Participate in all Worship Team and Staff Meetings

• Recruit and/or coordinate other instrumental or vocal performers as desired and rehearse as needed

• Create opportunities for intergenerational music experiences

• Create ad-hoc choirs (such as 20-minute Choir) or other musical groups to expand the musical experiences available to congregants.

• Communicate with the congregation through articles in print and/or digital newsletters, the Annual Report and other methods as needed.

• Stay abreast of copyright and licensing restrictions for music and ensure compliance with same

• In collaboration with the minister, other staff, and congregants, supports the vision, mission, Unitarian Universalist principles, values, and goals of the congregation in accordance with its governance structure

• Upholds policies of the congregation and the AUUMM Code of Professional Practice Core Competencies

• Ability to cultivate musical talent and interest across generations and musical skill levels in the congregation

• Ability to be a key collaborator in creating energetic, inspiring, and thematically integrated worship service

• Strong skills in communication, ability to maintain a friendly, positive attitude, communicate effectively and demonstrate a willingness to collaborate effectively with staff, volunteers, and members of congregation

• Honors and demonstrates the core UU Principles in both stressful and non-stressful situations

• Strong skills in problem solving, organization, flexibility and time management.

• Strong musical skills: ability to sight-read, and to accompany and conduct music at the same time

• Knowledge of a broad range of musical genres

• Knowledge of Unitarian Universalist history, values, musical traditions, and current musical practices desirable

• The ability to effectively do your job in a virtual or hybrid setting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in music preferred, or equivalent experience

• Professional training and experience in choral and instrumental music and conducting

• Experience in keyboard accompaniment

• Experience in planning music for worship services in collaboration with worship leaders

• Involvement with professional groups such as the Association for UU Music Ministries, American Guild of Organists, Hand-bell Musicians of America, the Choristers Guild, or the American Choral Directors Association.

To Apply for this Position

People with disabilities, people of color, indigenous people, Hispanic/Latinx, and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply. First Parish Chelmsford Unitarian Universalist Church is committed to developing a diverse and talented staff team. If you are excited about this role but unsure whether you meet all of the requirements, we encourage you to inquire and/or apply. Please send a cover letter and résumé—indicating

“Music Director” in the subject line—via e-mail to jobs@uuchelmsford.org

Please apply by Monday, June 30, 2025.

Questions

Questions about the Music Director position may be directed to Tom Coffey, HR Subcommittee Chair, at thomascoffey@comcast.net

About First Parish Chelmsford Unitarian Universalist Church

First Parish Chelmsford Unitarian Universalist Church was established in 1655. Our diverse and multigenerational congregation currently has 150+ members and friends. We meet and offer a full range of programs both virtually and in person. You can learn more about our congregation on our website (First Parish UU Chelmsford)