Minister of Music (Milford, CT)

First United Church of Christ, Congregational, Milford CT (UCC), an Open and Affirming church, seeks a skilled organist/pianist and choral conductor for a full-time Minister of Music position. The successful candidate will be a dynamic individual who is invested in cultivating a vibrant music community at First Church. The Minister of Music will play organ and direct adult and children’s choirs for in-person and live-streamed Sunday services and special services including Christmas Eve and Holy Week. Prior church experience is preferred. Handbell choir skills are desired.

The Minister of Music will collaborate with clergy and program staff in weekly meetings to plan worship. First refusal for weddings, funerals, and memorial services with additional compensation. The anticipated start date for this position is July-August 2024. Salary range: $45,000 – 50,000 annually, depending on education and experience, plus health insurance, pension contribution and paid vacation time.

Send resume and references to milfordmusicsearch@gmail.com, along with video recordings of yourself:
   • Playing a piece of organ repertoire appropriate for a church prelude or postlude
   • Playing several verses of one congregational hymn
   • Conducting one choral anthem

First United Church of Christ Congregational, Milford, CT (UCC)
34 West Main Street, Milford, CT 06460

Essential Job Functions: The Minister of Music:

• provides organ service music for two Sunday morning worship services each week and special services including Christmas Eve and Holy Week;
• directs and manages the Adult Choir (conducting from the console) in 1 weekday evening rehearsal and 1 Sunday morning warmup rehearsal each week, and 1-2 anthems weekly in worship during the program year;
• directs and manages the Youth Choir/Music Program in 1-2 rehearsals each week with anthems periodically during the program year at selected worship services; continues to develop various youth music groups based on interests and abilities of youth, adult volunteer helpers and Minister of Music and
• directs and manages the intergenerational Handbell Choir Program in 1- 2 rehearsals each week with anthems periodically during the program year at selected worship services.

Anticipated choir/ensemble rehearsal hours: 5-7 per week.

Worship Planning and Execution: Plan for weekly worship services and other occasional church activities in conjunction with other church staff; ensure appropriate music licenses have been obtained for livestreaming.

Administrative: Attend weekly staff meetings and monthly Music Committee meetings.

Facilities: Our Meetinghouse Organ is a 1962 Holtkamp (III/71) with three manuals and 71 ranks (Holtkamp Opus 1739, located in the second-floor organ loft, accessed via stairs). Major renovations occurred in 1990 and 2015. Our Woodruff Chapel houses our two-manual Moller Organ, with just a few ranks. Pianos: 7-foot Yamaha grand in the sanctuary, Yamaha upright in the choir loft. 6-foot Knabe grand in the choir room, Yamaha spinet in the chapel building. 

Our music library consists of approximately 1,000 choral arrangements and 200 handbell arrangements.