Director of Music Ministries and Organist (Hartford, CT)

Trinity Episcopal Church in Hartford, CT seeks an Interim Part-Time Director of Music Ministries (DMM) and Organist for its excellent and lively music program. Music is at the heart of the life and ministry of Trinity - in its worship, within its community of faith, and in its outreach to the broader Hartford community.

The role of the DMM is to lead, develop and nurture Trinity’s musical life - in collaboration with clergy, staff, and parishioners - to enthusiastically further God’s mission. The Director will lead Trinity’s Adult Choir as well as The Choir School of Hartford, a nonprofit entity with its own board of directors. We seek an individual with a passion for working with young musicians, within a structured learning process with measurable goals. The two choirs sing weekly at the Sunday worship service and participate in special musical programs. For example, in the past year, the choirs have performed The Hope of Loving, by Runestad, with the Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet Company, and Misa Criolla by Ramiréz, with Chorus Angelicus.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serving as principal musician for all liturgical services, working to build a broad-based program that reaches persons of all ages and is reflective of the diversity of the Trinity community.
• Hiring other assisting musicians including, but not limited to, substitute organists and/or conductors, instrumentalists, and singers, including professional musicians and visiting performers.
• Leading the Trinity Adult Choir and The Choir School of Hartford: conducting evening rehearsals two times per week, plus a rehearsal before the service; recruiting singers, especially for The Choir School; holding auditions; organizing and leading the Choir School summer camp; arranging for weekly piano lessons for interested Choir School students; being accountable to the Board of Directors in performance of these Choir School related duties.
• In conjunction with clergy and others involved in planning liturgy, selecting suitable repertoire for use at all liturgical services, including hymns and service music.
• Providing music for special services as scheduled. Collaborating with the clergy in consulting and advising wedding parties and bereaved families regarding pastorally sensitive and liturgically appropriate music selection for weddings and funerals.
• Communicating regularly with church staff and choir members to manage schedules and other communication. Providing, in a timely fashion, all music-related information and materials for production of service bulletins. Reviewing draft bulletin for music and liturgical content.
• Actively engaging with congregation to encourage participation in music.
• Developing and managing the music budget, in coordination with the Vestry. Managing administrative records and the music library.
• Supervising the Administrative Assistant to The Choir School. • Overseeing the maintenance of the musical instruments and recording equipment.

Required skills and qualifications

• Excellence in choral conducting, with adults and children.
• High level of proficiency on the organ and piano.
• Superior organizational and communication skills.
• 2-5 years experience as a church musician.
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.

Terms of employment 

Currently, Trinity is in a search process for a new rector. As such, this is an interim position, available as of August 1, 2024 and continuing until June 15, 2025. The interim may apply for the permanent position subsequent to this.

The position is for 20-24 hours/week.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with education and experience, with a range of $30,000-$40,000. Additional Service Fees for weddings and funerals per accepted professional standards. Potential additional income as piano teacher for students of The Choir School. Application procedure

Please submit a cover letter, resume, contact information for 3 references, and - if possible - a link to a video showcasing your skills as a choir director and/or organist to dommsearchtrinity@gmail.com. Deadline is July 1, 2024 www.trinityhartford.org www.choirschoolofhartford.org