Music Director (Boston, Massachusetts)

Date Posted: 
July 8, 2022
Organization Name: 
St. John's Episcopal Church
Contact Email: 
ted@stjohns-jp.org
Salary Range: 
$18,000-$23,000
Job Description: 

According to the Canons of the Episcopal Church, “It shall be the duty of every member of the clergy to see that music is used as an offering for the glory of God and as a help to the people in their worship in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer and as authorized by the rubrics of the General Convention of this Church.   To this end, the member of the Clergy shall have final authority in the administration of matters pertaining to music.  In fulfilling this responsibility the member of the Clergy shall seek assistance from persons skilled in music.  Together they shall see that the music is appropriate to the context in which it is used. “

(Title II Canon 5 – Constitution and Canon of the Episcopal Church - 2015). 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

General: The Music Director of St. John’s Episcopal Church is a spiritual leader of the congregation and serves at the pleasure of the Vestry under the direct supervision of the Rector.  This is a part-time salaried position for 12 hours/week.  Working closely with the Rector, other staff, and lay leaders, the Music Director’s principal responsibilities are to coordinate and lead  music for liturgical worship.
 

Our ideal candidate: would have or be in pursuit of a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in music or have equivalent experience, be an excellent choral conductor with strong interpersonal skills, be able to help people form strong, healthy teams and community, be a skilled musician on both organ and piano, and be someone familiar and comfortable with the Anglican/Episcopal style and tradition of worship while being open to diverse musical styles and genres.

 

Setting: St. John’s Church is a eucharistically-based faith community of neighbors and families celebrating different understandings of the Christian faith within the Episcopal Church. As we attempt to live out our call to be the body of Christ in the world, we strive to be a beacon of justice-seeking and creativity, and to honor St. Benedict’s teaching: ‘Let all who enter here be received as Christ.’ Located in the vibrant Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, we are part of a diverse, welcoming and exciting community. Average Sunday worship at St. John’s attendance is 50+ people in the program year, 20+ in the summer months, with approximately 125 active members of all ages.

 

Specific: The duties and responsibilities of the Music Director include:

  • Prepare  the choir for their role as worship leaders through singing by regular communication, preparation and twice weekly rehearsals. (3 hours/week)

  • Provide musical leadership at regular worship through playing organ and piano at worship services, including practice and preparation, while also conducting the choir and facilitating congregational singing. (4 hours/week)
     

  • Plan weekly worship music in concert with the rector. (1 hour/week)
     

  • Work with the parish administrator and rector to help prepare the weekly bulletin and other occasional communications with the parish, such as emails, blog posts and video clips.  (30 minutes/week)
     

  • Communicate regularly with church staff and choir members (email, phone calls, text). (30 minutes/week)

  • Coordinate with other musicians and singers  to participate occasionally in St. John’s worship, including but not limited to parishioners who volunteer, groups affiliated with JP Concerts, A Far Cry, and musicians known to the Music Director.  St. John’s will provide a modest budget for compensation of musicians for whom that would be appropriate. (30 minutes/week)

  • In consultation with the rector, give oversight and management of St. John’s Music Budget as determined in consultation with St. John’s Vestry.
     

  • Provide musical leadership at special services in Holy Week, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and other special services, including coordinating participation of special musicians and soloists.
     

  • Coordinate the care and maintenance of the parish’s piano and organ. 

  • Provide music for Weddings and funerals, as needed (compensated separately as additional service).
     

  • Implementation of Vestry decisions and parish goals in coordination with the Wardens and Vestry.
     

  • Other duties and responsibilities as determined by and in consultation with the Rector.

Total hours - 12 hours/week 

 

Compensation: Commensurate with education and experience, including paid vacation and modest continuing education funds.

:

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to:

Music Director Search

c/o St. John’s Episcopal Church

PO BOX 300230 Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 or

via email to ted@stjohns-jp.org.

 
Link to organization website