Music Director (Middle Haddam, CT)
The worship at Christ Church is the center of our spiritual life, and music is an integral part of how we experience the presence of God. We depend on music to help draw us deeper into prayer and into the glory of the Holy One.
Christ Church is seeking a part-time (8 hours per week) music director who is an accomplished organist and pianist, as well as a choir director. We have a very dedicated three-part volunteer choir upon whom we depend to lead worship.
The Director of Music will work collaboratively with the Priest-in-Charge to create liturgy that is meaningful and inspiring using the resources of The Episcopal Church: The Book of Common Prayer, The Hymnal 1982, and Lift Every Voice and Sing. The Music Director will choose choir anthems and seasonal hymns and chants from a variety of other resources to support our music program.
The Director of Music will be responsible for playing two keyboard instruments that are in the sanctuary: a two-manual, five-rank, Austin pipe organ (Opus 1855, built 1934) and a Baldwin Acrosonic spinet piano, as well as coordinating the timely maintenance of each.
The time requirement and duties include:
- Selecting hymns, choir anthems, and service music for the weekly 10AM Holy Eucharist services and for special Holy Days: Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.
- Playing the organ and (when appropriate), piano for these services, including a Prelude and Postlude.
- Participating in the worship life of the parish.
- Directing the choir, including weekly choir practice before the 10AM worship service.
- Overseeing the use of approved funds for new music purchases and piano/organ maintenance.
- Maintaining and expanding, at their discretion, the church’s music library.
- Meeting in person seasonally with the priest.
- Maintaining timely communication with the priest, parish administrator and choir to send hymn and service music selections, proof the bulletin and to convey other information.
- Providing music for funerals and weddings or securing a substitute. Compensation is additional.
- Securing the services of a substitute organist when not present for worship.
Salary for this position starts at $15,000, which is somewhat negotiable with experience and proficiency.
The chosen candidate for this position will undergo a background check and complete Safe Church Training per the requirements of The Episcopal Church in Connecticut.