Position:                                 Music Director

Employment Category:     Regular Part-time

Parameters:                           ½ time – 20 hrs/week year-round

Area:                                       Ministry

Supervisor                             Minister

Compensation:                    $27,000 to $31,000 depending on experience

Contact Reverend Tom Capo for more details about this position.  If you are interested, please send a vita to Reverend Tom at minister@uufvb.org or feel free to call him on his cell phone 630-917-7766.     

A.        Position Description

The Director of Music oversees the entire music program including planning, administration, music selection and/or approval, ordering sheet music and supplies, assuring instrument maintenance and care.  She/He/They is responsible for developing and sustaining a volunteer adult choir for Sunday services from August through June, and for enhancing opportunities for musical participation within the congregation. And is responsible for music for Sunday Services year-round, as well as music for special services including but not limited to Christmas Eve. 

The Director of Music understands the role of music as an essential component of liturgy.  She/He/They works in collaboration with the Minister, Sunday Service Committee and the Worship Committee to ensure that music is an integral and appropriate aspect of each Sunday service.  She confers with the Minister about themes and topics of Sunday Services, leading to selection of appropriate anthems, hymns, prelude, offertory, postlude and other service music as required. 

She/He/They conducts the choir and runs choir rehearsals.  She/He/They leads congregational singing and conducts choir for Sunday services and special services.  The Director of Music is responsible for supervising a choir accompanist/pianist.  She/He/They arranges for piano tuning for sanctuary and music room pianos at least once a year or as needed.  She/He/They recruits and liaises with guest musicians.  And whenShe/He/They is off recruits and liaises with guest conductors/musicians.  She/He/They arranges for payment as appropriate for guest musicians/conductors, within budget limitations.

 The Director of Music has rights of first refusal when a musician is required for rites of passage conducted under the auspices of the Fellowship.   The Director of Music is free to set their fees consistent with similar situations in the area.  All such fees or gifts received in connection with rites of passage belong to the Director of Music.

 The Director of Music with administrative support will inform the Fellowship about the music program through venues such as the monthly newsletter, weekly order of service notes, worship service announcements and publicizes the music program.   

B.        Position Requirements

1. Education:   Bachelor’s degree in music, music education, performance, or equivalent education or life experience.

2. Experience:   Demonstrated ability to maintain and/or build a community or church music program including a volunteer choir.   Experience as a musician within a religious community a plus.

3. Professional Affiliation:  The Director of Music will be a participating member of the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries.

4. Knowledge and Skills

                        Organizational:       

• Understands or is willing to learn the principles, history and traditions of Unitarian Universalism and chooses music appropriate to that tradition.

• Understands the role of music as an essential component of liturgy.  Demonstrates creativity in working with nontraditional liturgy and responding to a diversity of staff and lay intentions and needs.

• Reads music, plays the keyboard; vocal skills a plus

• Has ability to create and adhere to an annual music budget

• Demonstrates planning and organizational skills

• Communicates well, both orally and in writing.

• Keeps reliable and consistent rehearsal and performance schedules.

            Interpersonal:

• Works collaboratively with other staff and volunteers to ensure a quality music program.

• Shows patience in working with volunteers who have a wide range of interests and talents.

C.        Position Relationships

• Membership – interacts regularly with choir members and with wider congregation at meetings, Sunday services and special events.

• Governance – interacts occasionally with elected and appointed leadership.

  •  and serves as liaison to Worship Committee

• General Public – interacts occasionally with the public at special events.

• UUFVB Staff – interacts regularly with Minister, Choir Accompanist, and office staff; interacts occasionally with other staff.