Director of Music (Brooklyn, NY)

Job Title: Director of Music
Organization Name: Church of the Holy Apostles Brooklyn
Organization Website: www.holyapostlesbrooklyn.com
Salary Range (optional): $16,000
Job Description:
We are looking for a joyful organized person who is interested in building
and growing a music ministry in the service of God in a congregation in which
music – and congregational singing – is a central part of worship.  A
good candidate should be energetic, interested in and excited about creating
joyful worship in collaboration with the Priests.  Must be interested in
working with people, in particular a volunteer choir and figuring out ways to
encourage participation and engage the community outside of the church.  We
hope the candidate will be able to grow the choir from within the church and
outside. We are particularly interested in someone who can work with a choir,
who is also able to play the piano, willing to learn to play the organ (we
will pay for lessons) and someone who is interested in taking risks.
Weekly hours average out to be 8-10 hours per week.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
•       Develop a vision and strategy for the growth of the music ministry in
collaboration with the priests.
•       Direct and oversee the church choir with one choir rehearsal (Sundays at
9am) while the choir is in session (July & August excluded).  Additional
choir rehearsals to be scheduled as needed for special services.
•       Play at all regularly scheduled services during the church year,
including but not limited to: weekly Sunday service (10am Sept-June, 9am July
– Aug), Holy Week, Christmas Eve, Lessons & Carols.
•       Encourage members of the congregation to join the choir and maintain
contact with choir members, fostering open communication.
•       Select the service music drawing on all available resources of the
Episcopal Church and the Christian tradition. Initially this will be done
with the priests.
•       Hire the voices and musicians as necessary for special services
•       Coordinate fundraising for the music ministry, which means doing an
appeal letter 2x per year.
•       Maintain a music library for the church, adding to it as necessary as the
budget allows.
•       Speak weekly or every other week with the priests to go over the upcoming
week and the past week; allot time for a planning meeting in advance of major
seasons (Advent, Lent, etc)
•       Arrange for substitutes for the Organist’s vacation (at parish expense)
or for personal leave (at Organist’s expense) or for weddings and funerals
at which the Organist chooses not to serve (at fee-payer’s expense).
Critical Skills:
•       Experience directing a choir/singers
•       A willingness to build and grow a choir, and the ability to work with
singers of all capabilities.
•       Ability to play the piano – willingness to learn the organ.
•       Ability to select music that is appropriate to the congregation and
liturgical style of Holy Apostles.
•       Previous church experience is preferred, does not have to be in the
Episcopal church.
•       Good communication skills and the ability to work well with people of all
ages and backgrounds.
•       Well organized with good follow through.
•       A happy disposition and a great love and joy of music!!

Additional info
•       4 weeks paid vacation, including 4 Sundays off per year, not to conflict
with major church holidays.
•       Additional pay for funerals and weddings at $150 per service.
•       Access to the church to hold lessons (private or group) as well as
musical performances. All done with prior written approval.

Contact Email: revkimberlee@holyapostlesbrooklyn.com