Director of Music - Part Time (Monroe, CT)

The Monroe Congregational Church in Monroe Connecticut, a medium-sized Open & Affirming church of the United Church of Christ, is seeking a new Director of Music to lead its music program. Our members and friends have a variety of musical gifts, and we seek an innovative person that wants to develop and strengthen our musical offerings.

The Director of Music will create and implement an artistic vision for the ministry of music throughout the life of the church; directly leading the music ministry for the worship service, choirs and special music services. Overall, they will work collegially and collaboratively with the Senior Pastor, identifying hymns (New Century Hymnal) and special music that will enhance the worship service.

The Director of Music will lead and accompany the adult choir from September thru June with weeknight rehearsals. They will also schedule other musical contributions from instrumentalists, soloists and groups; and support and/or accompany member-led programs like the children’s choir. 

The Director of Music will also be responsible for scheduling regular maintenance and tuning of the organ (Allen, 45 stop, 2 manual, drawknob electronic installed in 2015) and pianos (Broadman Studio Grande, and others).

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and perform service music each week (prelude, postlude, etc).
• Inspire, rehearse and manage an adult volunteer choir of 12-16 members of varied skills with weekly and Sunday morning rehearsals, September-June
• Provide musical accompaniment for all regular worship services including Sunday morning, three worship services on Christmas Eve, an Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday service and occasional special services such as weddings and funerals.
• Recruit other musicians to enhance worship during the services
• Communicate in a clear and timely manner with the pastors, church secretary and volunteer choir directors (bell and children’s choirs) regarding music selection and the scheduling of choirs, ensembles, instrumentalists and soloists of varied skills. 
• Secure substitutes to cover adult choir rehearsals and worship services during vacations.

Key Qualifications

• Accomplished organ and piano recital soloist, service player, improviser, and collaborative artist
• Advanced training and experience in traditional and contemporary choral repertoire and conducting
• Choral and instrumental experience and expertise in conducting hymnody
• A degree in music/education or comparable experience
• Excellent organizational, oral and written communications skills

Benefits

• Four weeks of paid vacation (Sundays included), taken at times agreed upon with the Senior Pastor.  Any additional time off is at the expense of the Director of Music.
• Budget for music, supplies and professional dues.
• Right of first refusal for all music and/or musical accompaniments for church functions such as weddings and funerals. An honorarium ($250) is paid by those who are using the church for the function. This includes a $75 bench fee to be paid when another organist is selected for an event for which you are available.

• Salary range $20-25,000 (based on experience), paid in semi-monthly installments with standard withholdings.  Insurance or pension benefits are not included.
• Start date can be flexible, but no later than 1/1/2022

To be considered, please send the following documents / information to Music Director Search Committee at jenn@mcc-ucc.org

• Cover letter to with current resume and 2 professional references
• Digital samples of: Worship Service Organ Performance including Choral Conducting, Prelude and Postlude music, hymn accompaniment on organ or piano (YouTube or Vimeo link)