Director of Music (Organist/Choir Director) (Edgartown (Martha's Vineyard), Massachusetts )

Date Posted: 
February 23, 2022
Organization Name: 
St Andrew's Church (Episcopal)
Salary Range: 
Negotiable/ Housing Included / See Job Description
Job Description: 

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Edgartown, Massachusetts (Martha’s Vineyard)

Position Offered:      Director of Music (Organist and Choir Director)

Qualifications: 

A college-level degree or qualifying experience in organ studies and choral work.  Successful candidates will demonstrate a high level of proficiency in playing the organ, and a knowledge of Episcopal music traditions and practices.

Duties: 

  • One Sunday morning service (currently 10:00 am)
  • Direction of Adult Choir (rehearsals one evening a week (Currently Tuesday from 5:00—6:30 pm) and Sunday at 9:00 am
  • Complete selection and preparation of all music, with general consultation with the rector, as appropriate
  • Reasonable efforts to recruit new adult choir members, and (with God’s grace) the establishment of a children’s or youth choir

Additional services requiring  music:

  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Eve (2 services)
  • Ash Wednesday (May be Noon or evening service)
  • Maundy Thursday (Evening Service)      
  • Good Friday (Noon Service)
  • Easter Vigil
  • Easter Day (2 services)
  • Occasional services on other Holy Days as deemed appropriate by rector  (no more than 4 / year)
  • Weddings and Burials:  Organist has arabam kaç para prerogative to play at all services in the church with extra fees.  The church may supply substitute if unavailable.
     

Description of Worship:

St. Andrew’s Church is a traditional Episcopal church in a small English-style brick building located in the heart of historic downtown Edgartown, Massachusetts.  The chief Sunday service typically is a sung Eucharist done in the Anglican tradition following Rite II, according to the Book of Common Prayer.  (An 8:00 am service follows Rite I and is without music.)  The choir usually sings one anthem, and sometimes two, using a variety of styles and periods of music. 
 

Organ: 

The organ is a tracker-action, with two-manuals, pedalboard, and 13 ranks, built by William B. Williams ca. 1885, re-built and moved from Sag Harbor, NY, in 1911.  It has been completely overhauled within the last five years by Jeremy Adams, of Danvers, Massachusetts, and the church continues to keep the organ tuned and in excellent repair, relying on an ample endowment fund for maintenance and repairs.  The organ is capable of supporting many styles of organ music and is well-suited to the space for hymns and anthem accompaniment.
 

Pianos:

A fine Steinway grand piano sits adjacent to the organ, and there is a Baldwin upright in the adjoining Parish Hall.

 

Music Library and Budget:

There is an extensive library of excellent music in many styles.  An ample budget provides for additions as needed, and there are funds for occasional outside musicians.
 

Salary:

Salary would be commensurate with experience in line with or above level for comparable positions in the area, and a 15-18 hour work week is anticipated.  A rather new two-bedroom apartment, with full kitchen, bath and living area, is available if needed.  The position comes with four weeks of paid vacation during periods other than high holy days. 
 

Miscellaneous:

Edgartown is one of six towns located on the large island of Martha’s Vineyard.  There is a large summer population which usually increases church attendance due to the many visitors and summer residents, many of whom have been seasonal members of St. Andrew’s for decades.  In the off-season the year-round population is much smaller and the island much quieter, although the island continues to hum with activity year round, with restaurants, theatres, musical venues, and commercial establishments remaining open.    
 

Inquiries should be addressed to the Organist/Music Director Search Committee, c/o the rector, The Rev. Chip Seadale, P.O. Box 1287, Edgartown, MA  02539, telephone 508-627-5330, email fatherchip@standrewsmv.org.  The selection for the position will be made by a committee of parishioners knowledgeable in music.