Director of Music (Milwaukee, WI)

Introduction

​​A growing, inclusive parish, Christ Church seeks a Director of Music to help us experience the love and mystery of God through sacred music. We are a multi-generational parish embracing a broad range of musical styles embedded within a traditional choral Eucharist.  

The Director of Music is a salaried position under the direction and oversight of the Rector of Christ Church. The position requires approximately 25 hours per week, September through May. In the summer, Christ Church conducts a service outdoors in the courtyard led by musician volunteers from the parish along with ensembles from the larger community. The Director of Music will help plan the summer schedule, but weekly participation is not required.  

Goals of the Music Program

As a critical part of the faith life of Christ Church, it is intended that the music program, under the guidance of the Director of Music, will

• Set the appropriate tone for public worship, infusing it with an underlying sense of joy that reflects a basic understanding of worship as an act of praise, adoration, and thanksgiving to God
• Provide a positive setting in which all members of the parish, including children and the wider community are encouraged to offer, in appropriate ways, their musical gifts to the glory of God and the inspiration of the community. 
• Expose the parish, as part of its overall Christian formation, to a range of musical styles, traditions, and resources.
• Create a choral ministry that strives for excellence, nurturing veteran signers to improve further and giving new singers an inclusive, affirming environment to gain confidence. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Organize and direct the parish choir, preparing music for the choir’s use, and leading the choir at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Eucharist (September through May), leading weekly rehearsals.
• Recruit new members for the choir, making connections with local high schools, universities, and other organizations as necessary. 
• Initiate and develop a Children’s Choir using the Royal School of Church Music program or other model. 
• Provide music and musical leadership at regular Sunday services (currently 9:30 a.m.) as well as other special liturgical celebrations throughout the year, in consultation with the Rector. Typical music for services includes an organ/instrumental/vocal prelude, the appointed hymns, singing or chanting of psalmody (when appointed), the appropriate liturgical service music, one or more choral or instrumental anthems (during the program year), and an organ/instrumental postlude.
• NOTE: Ideally, the Director of Music will play the organ, but we will consider carving out the organist position for a second person.
• Pro-actively integrate lay and professional musicians into Sunday services, arranging rehearsal as needed.
• Initiate meetings with the Rector as needed to review the prior week’s service, and to discuss the music for the upcoming week including coordination with liturgical needs and plans for alternate or additional presiding priests.
• Maintain and expand the music library.
• Be responsible for the development, administration, and expenditure of the music budget. 
• Make necessary arrangements for the care and maintenance of the organ, pianos, and other musical equipment of the parish.
• Provide or arrange for the provision of music at weddings and funerals scheduled in the parish. The Director of Music receives $275 for weddings and $225 for funerals. 
• On occasion, interface with outside musical ensembles to use our space for concerts, in consultation with the rector and parish administrator.
• Work with the rector and a core group of lay musicians to plan for the outdoor summer service.
• Engage in continuing education through personal study as well as annual conferences.
• Attend staff meetings as requested.
• Adhere to Safe Church policies and procedures, maintaining certification in Safe Church, Safe Communities (recertification required every three years). 
• Perform other duties in consultation with the Rector.

Organ Use for Teaching

• Permission is given to use the organ and pianos of the parish for private teaching, if desired. Times and schedule of lessons are to be coordinated in advance through the Parish Administrator. 

Salary and Benefits

• Salary range of $38,000-$40,000, to be paid bimonthly.
• Twelve weeks of vacation (12 Sundays), 10 of which are taken June through August.
• Pension contributions matched by the parish to a maximum of 9% of salary.
• Continuing Education Fund of $1000
• The position comes with a large office with a dedicated music library as well as newly renovated practice space.
• An assistant organist from within the parish is willing to serve the Director of Music as needed.

Review and Evaluation

• A standard employee review will be done after six months of employment. 
• This is an employment at will relationship, subject to termination by the employee or the Church at any time for any reason.