The Opportunity Music is an integral part of parish life at St. Stephen's. We seek a creative, collaborative musician to lead our music ministry, direct our parish choir, and preside at our 1963 Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ. A baby grand piano is available in the Learning Center for practice and teaching. St. Stephen's is also home to a 57-bell carillon. St. Stephen's embraces a variety of traditions and styles in worship, and we welcome "outside the box" thinking about our music program as a whole. The Minister of Music will have primary oversight of all musical selections, in consultation with the Rector, and genuine creative latitude to develop innovative musical experiences while respecting the Anglican tradition. Position Summary The Minister of Music is the principal musician and music educator of St. Stephen's and exercises an important lay ministry (ordination is not expected or required) reaching staff, choir, congregation, and the wider community. They will be diligent in preparation, clear in communication, and collaborative in enabling the highest standard of music at St. Stephen's.
Reports to:
the
Rector Schedule:
quarter-time, averaging [8-10] hours per week; program year runs September through mid-June, with a lighter summer schedule On-site expectations: Sunday mornings, weekly choir rehearsal (currently Thursday evenings), and weekday office time as appropriate for practice and communication with staff and parishioners Key Responsibilities Worship and music leadership Select and provide organ or piano music, direct the choir, and guide congregational singing at the 10:00 am Sunday service (the 8:00 am and 5:00 pm services do not include music). Provide music for additional liturgies, including Advent, Christmas, Ash Wednesday, and Holy Week service Develop and collaborate on innovative musical experiences while respecting the Anglican tradition; as appropriate, help the choir and congregation understand the music and how selections relate to our liturgies. Collaborate with children's programs to provide and create joyful music experiences for the children and youth of the congregation Choir leadership Recruit and train choir members (current choir size: 8voices); encourage parishioners to join for special occasions. Lead one choir rehearsal each week (currently Thursday evenings) and a pre-service warm-up (currently Sundays at 9:15 am), September through mid-June. Obtain or hire instrumental and vocal soloists for the choir and for special occasions as requested and arrange a substitute musician when absent. Administration Develop, maintain, and report on the annual music budget; purchase music and supplies. Maintain the music library and ensure compliance with all OneLicense.net requirements. Supervise scheduled maintenance of the organ and piano and the ongoing care of choir robes. Add music selections to bulletins and contribute articles to other church communications. Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and quarterly planning meetings with the Rector; meet with appropriate committees as available. Qualifications Proficiency in organ and piano performance and in service playing Experience directing choirs and conducting from the console or keyboard Familiarity with Anglican/Episcopal liturgy and hymnody, or eagerness to learn Strong communication and collaboration skills; diligence in preparation Degree in music, sacred music, or equivalent professional experience preferred Compensation and Benefits Salary of approximately $20,000 per year, commensurate with education, skill, and experience Pension contribution (health benefits are not provided for this quarter-time position) Additional Earning Opportunities Weddings and funerals: additional compensation consistent with American Guild of Organists (AGO) standards, as developed with the Rector and subject to the Minister of Music's availability and willingness.
Private teaching:
use of the Learning Center for private organ, piano, or voice lessons, up to 3 hours per week.
Learning Center Management:
manage rental of the Learning Center for private lessons (marketing, contracting, and scheduling), earning 20% of gross rental income, paid monthly.
Carillonneur:
opportunity to learn to play the carillon and become the St. Stephen's carillonneur with responsibilities such as regular playing, supervise maintenance of the carillon, schedule and coordinate summer concert series, member of Guild of Carillonneurs of North America How to Apply Please send a cover letter, resume, and, if available, recordings or links to recent performances to the Rev. Dr. Maggie Arnold, Rector, at . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates selected for interview may be invited to play and conduct an audition at St. Stephen's.
