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NOW HIRING: ORGANIST & CHOIR DIRECTOR

POSITION AVAILABLE:
Organist and Choir Director – First Church of Deerfield (UCC/ UUA)

Summary:

The historic First Church of Deerfield, Massachusetts (UCC/UUA) is seeking our next Organist and Choir Director. Our engaged, appreciative, open-and-affirming congregation is seeking one or two skilled, dedicated, versatile professionals to continue our long tradition of music-rich worship and community connection through music. Part-time, $20-30K ($10-15K for organist, $10-15K for choir director). Expected on-site hours Sunday mornings and some weekday evenings.

Introduction:

The First Church of Deerfield is a warm, inclusive, inquisitive, open-and-affirming congregation, located in the historic heart of Old Deerfield, Massachusetts. Affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association, we find common ground in our commitment to serving our neighbor, and in our conviction that God is Love. Our members are engaged, appreciative, and welcoming of newcomers. We are also passionate about music. Music plays a central role in our worship and our community — as an expression of the heart and soul, as an experience of inclusion and belonging, and as a reflection of divine beauty and harmony.

Following the retirement of a long-time music director, and after a full interim year of discernment, we are looking for one or two talented and dedicated musicians to continue our tradition of musical excellence, while helping us live into our vision for the future. We have long been known for our classical musical repertoire, and the congregation deeply appreciates a well-played Bach postlude or a traditional hymn; but we also hope for an increasing range of music, to reflect our eclectic tastes, and to offer welcome to a wider community.

Though we are a small church (30-40 in regular worship), we often draw large gatherings for Christmas and Easter, in part because of our reputation as a destination church for music-lovers. Our historic and acoustically-inviting sanctuary houses an exquisite tracker organ (Opus 13, designed and constructed by famed organ builders Richards, Fowkes & Co) which has attracted organists from around the world to our annual concert series. The organ is complemented by a Steinway grand piano in the sanctuary, and our congregation appreciates the emotional and spiritual breadth of hearing both organ and piano regularly in worship.

In recent years our choir has ranged in size from a handful of dedicated singers on a regular Sunday to a larger choir for special occasions, expanded with singers from the wider community. One of the delights of our music program has been the inclusion during the school year of several young choir interns, recruited from local high schools. It is our hope that our new Director will work actively to rebuild and expand our choir program, which has been largely dormant during this past interim year.

Purpose and Vision

The Organist / Choir Director is responsible for the direction and coordination of the church’s music ministry. Our hope is that that our music director(s) will work in collaboration with our pastor, congregation, and community to continue our long tradition of music-rich worship, while supporting our vision for the future: widening participation, broadening repertoire, and fostering community-connection and soul-connection through music.

Option for Single-Person Position or Two-Person Team

The Church is open to hiring a single individual, to serve as both Organist and Choir Director; or to hiring two qualified individuals, to collaborate in fulfilling the responsibilities of this position, one to serve as Organist and the other to serve as Choir Director.

Applicants should indicate in their cover letter their preference and qualifications for the specific role(s) they seek.

Responsibilities:

Organist Responsibilities:

  • Serve as principal instrumentalist for Sunday worship, playing organ / piano weekly
  • Accompany and support congregational singing in worship
  • Accompany and rehearse with choir as needed (usually before worship)
  • Provide organ music and/or piano for special services, including Christmas Eve / Easter.
  • Oversee routine maintenance of piano and organ, in connection with Music Committee

Choir Director Responsibilities

  • Build up our volunteer choir by recruiting, training, and encouraging a diversity of singers
  • Revive our internship program for student singers
  • Direct and lead regular choir rehearsals (usually one weekday evening plus Sunday morning)
  • Select and prepare a diversity of choral pieces for Sunday worship
  • Select and prepare choral pieces for special services, including Christmas Eve / Easter
  • Foster a spirit of fellowship and musical growth within the choir
  • Engage the congregation in song and music.

General Responsibilities

  • Coordinate with the pastor and with one another to prepare well-integrated worship service
  • Meet with the Music Committee for the mutual support of the music ministry.
  • Communicate openly and effectively with the pastor, church staff, and congregation
  • Support and foster our community’s values of welcome and inclusion.
  • Oversee and maintain the music library; ensure compliance with copyright laws.
  • Recruit and supervise guest musicians in consultation with pastor and Music Committee.

Accountability

The Music Director(s) will be supervised by the pastor and executive committee, and will be mutually accountable to one another and to the music committee.

Qualifications

  • For Organist: demonstrated proficiency in organ playing
  • For Choir Director: demonstrated proficiency in choral direction
  • Piano proficiency desired for both roles
  • A degree in music, music ministry, or a related field is preferred
  • Experience with music in a church or community setting is highly desirable.

Characteristics

  • Passion for music and commitment to its role in worship and building community.
  • Flexibility and musical versatility
  • Commitment and skill in working collaboratively as a team with colleagues
  • Commitment to the inclusive values of the congregation
  • Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Accessibility

Our organ is in the church balcony, which is reachable only via a full flight of stairs; the piano is on the main floor of the sanctuary, which is accessible via ramp. Our choir sings from either location.

Background

All employees must complete a SORI/CORI check and have no disqualifying offenses (as determined by church leadership on a case-by-case basis).

Compensation

  • Salary: $20-30K annually ($10-15K for organist, $10-15K for choir director), for estimated 8-10 hours per week per role
  • Paid vacation and sick leave negotiable
  • Right of refusal for extra organ services such as weddings and funerals

To Apply

Please submit a resumé, cover letter, and two sample recordings of varying style/instruments, describing your qualifications and interest (i.e., organist, choir director, or both) to: brickchurchworship@gmail.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning May 15. Preferred start date September 1, may be negotiated.