Choir Director and Organist (Southington, CT)

Job Title: Choir Director and Organist

Organization Name: First Congregational Church of Southington, Connecticut

Organization Website: www.fccsouthington.org Salary Range (optional): $25,000-$30,000

Job Description:

Position Summary 

The Choir Director and Organist will be responsible for music at the traditional worship service, including leadership of Gallery Singers and Roots. S/he will work collaboratively with the music coordinators of the contemporary worship service. The Choir Director and Organist is responsible to the Senior Pastor and the Board of Music and Arts (BOMA).

Essential Functions 

• Provide music and direct/manage the Gallery Singers at the regularly scheduled traditional worship service on Sunday mornings. Select appropriate organ, instrumental, and choral music for each service. Direct the children’s choir at services monthly as scheduled.
• Provide and select instrumental and choral music for the following additional services during the year: Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Holy Week.
• Be responsible for weekly rehearsals with the Gallery Singers and Roots from September until June. During the summer months, Gallery Singers rehearsals shall be limited to forty-five minutes preceding the Sunday services. Roots does not rehearse during the summer.
• Facilitate efforts to recruit vocalists and instrumentalists to participate in choirs and instrumental groups.
• Work cooperatively with the contemporary music coordinators.
• Consult and work cooperatively with the volunteer bell choir director.
• Cooperate with the pastors and BOMA in the area of general planning and leadership of the church’s music and arts program.
• Be responsible for managing the parts of the music budget relating to the traditional worship service including the purchase of music and music supplies, and for the hiring of instrumental and vocal soloists when appropriate.
• Be permitted to use the facilities of the church (instruments and rooms) for private teaching. Times of lessons and use of facilities must be scheduled in advance through the church office, so as not to conflict with the needs of the church.
• Report to BOMA the condition and needs for the maintenance of the organ and pianos.
• Along with the contemporary music coordinators, be responsible for providing music at all weddings, funerals, and memorial services held in the meetinghouse or chapel. The services of other musicians may be engaged only after offering right of first refusal to the church’s music staff. Rehearsal with instrumentalists, soloists, etc. shall be recompensed per event. Other Responsibilities
• Participate in staff meetings
• Participate in weekly meetings with the Senior Pastor Minimum Qualifications
• The candidate should have skills, experience, and knowledge of a broad range of sacred music.
• Ability to operate and play current church organ:
4 manual Reuter console with 90 ranks. Walker Technical digital voicing MIDI compatible. Rodgers PR-300S record and playback device. Free standing 1 manual (no pedal) slave keyboard 
• Ability to play the piano. Additional instrumental experience will be considered. 
• Experience and ability to work collaboratively with pastors to create worship services.
• Experience and skills managing and developing adult choirs that include amateur musicians.
• Experience and skills in conducting, managing and developing a children’s choir grades 2 through 8.
• Biblical and ecclesiastical understanding necessary for a church music director, and is a person of Christian character.
• Understanding of and willingness to learn “safe conduct” policy and procedures.
• Familiarity with bell choir instruments and music.
• Advanced formal training conforming to the development of the required skills as outlined.

Core Competencies

Musical Expertise: Acquires and demonstrates the musical skills required to execute proficiently the essential functions of the job; understands which skills are lacking and seeks to develop those skills; continually works toward the mastery of musical proficiency.
Ethics and Values: Honors the core values and beliefs of the church in his/her choice of behaviors; consistently embodies appropriate behavioral choices in both stressful and non-stressful situations; practices the behaviors he/she advocates to others.
Integrity and Trust: Is seen as trustworthy by others; practices direct, honest and transparent communication; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; does not operate with hidden agendas; responds to situations with constancy and reliability.
Compassion and Care: Exudes a natural sense of care for the well-being of others; responds with empathy to the life circumstances of others; communicates a sense of support in his or her very presence; demonstrates appropriate expressions of care.
Creativity and Innovation: Generates new ideas; makes new connections among existing ideas to create fresh approaches; takes acceptable risks in pursuit of innovation; learns from mistakes; has good judgment about which creative ideas and suggestions will work.
Team Orientation: Demonstrates interest, skill and success in a church staff environment; promotes staff goals ahead of personal agendas; steps up to offer self as a resource to other members of the staff; understands and supports the importance of teamwork; shares credit for success with others, takes responsibility for his or her part in team failures.
Teambuilding among music staff and volunteers: Blends musicians into teams when appropriate; leads the team successfully through difficulties and challenges, including conflict, diversity and inclusion issues within the team; creates strong morale and spirit in his/her team; shares wins and successes; defines success in terms of the whole team; creates a feeling of belonging and pride in the team.

Contact Email: musicsearch@fccsouthington.org