CVUU Music Director

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POSITION PURPOSE: 

Oversees the music program of the Church; leads the congregation’s music ministry in collaboration with the Minister and in alignment with the CVUU mission and vision. 

REPORTS TO: Minister 

HOURS, COMPENSATION, BENEFITS: 

  • This position is for 20 hours per week, with one Sunday off per month.
  • This position is non-exempt. 
  • Salary and benefits are determined on a yearly basis according to church personnel policies and UUA recommendations, and include contributions to health insurance and retirement plans, and one month of paid leave, which shall accrue pursuant to policy.
  • In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this job description lists only those responsibilities and qualifications deemed essential to the position. 

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. However, these statements are not exhaustive and cannot anticipate all possible duties and requirements, which may arise. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Leads the church music program 

  • Works in collaboration with the minister to strengthen and diversify the music ministries of the congregation. 
  • Provides piano accompaniment for hymns/songs for Sunday services and Christmas Eve and arranges for an accompanist on Sundays when not present. 
  • In conversation with the minister and other worship leaders, hires and/or schedules, all soloists or ensembles, whether members or guests, discusses repertoire and helps to choose the appropriate selections, coordinating music with the worship theme. 
  • Identifies, recruits, nurtures, educates, and inspires singers and other musicians and encourages their participation in the music activities of the Church 
  • Supports and develops the experience of congregational singing; including introducing new music to the congregation 
  • Coordinates all logistics and rehearsal times with the church office. 
  • Coordinates all special production needs with teams engaged in support of programming at the church, including music stands, lights, chairs, and risers. 
  • Coordinates audio and visual needs with teams providing technical support. 
  • Plays for weddings and memorial services (established fees and right of first refusal) when available. 
  • Seek, track, and report copyright permissions as needed, for use and sharing of music and prose during worship 
  • Supervises the maintenance and repair of the Congregation’s pianos, and any other musical instruments 
  • Assists in the preparation of the music program budget and ensures that annual music program expenses are within the budget 
  • Manages and keeps records of expenditures related to music funds 
  • Attends Worship Services meetings and other meetings as necessary.  Advises and consults on matters involving music in the congregation 
  • Works cooperatively with other staff, volunteers, and congregants to achieve excellence in all of church programs. 
  • Arranges for suitable coverage of these responsibilities when on leave or vacation. 

Leads the Choir

  • In collaboration with the Minister
    o Researches, selects, and purchases music
    o Schedules choir participation in worship services
    o Consults on other opportunities for choir involvement in other congregational activities 
  • Coordinates and directs choir rehearsals 
  • Supervises the work of any accompanists, and other paid and volunteer music staff 
  • Conducts choir during worship and other services 
  • Creates recordings of hymns, songs, and choir pieces suitable for sharing via Zoom and broadcasting to sharing platforms, which the congregation is free to use should employment end.

Professional Development 

  •  Maintains contact and engages in collaboration with music colleagues in other churches, and with the wider denomination through involvement in the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM), and other professional and denominational organizations. Attends conferences, workshops and other programs that will directly or indirectly benefit the congregation. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Music from an accredited college or university or equivalent life experience
  • Excellence in keyboard and/or piano accompaniment, which includes the ability to improvise.
  • Choral conducting 
  • Strong and effective communication skills 
  • Strong and effective interpersonal relationship skills 
  • Strong and effective organizational skills 
  • Ability to apply UU Principles and values to the music programs of the congregation. 

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions: 

  • Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously 
  • Collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information. 
  • Utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard. 
  • Utilize hand and finger dexterity. 
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. Employee must be able to see. 
  • Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds independently; ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds with assistance. 

Other Requirements: 

  • This position requires work on Sunday, attendance at periodic daytime and evening meetings, special events, and rehearsals. 
  • Access to an adequate computer in order to utilize Zoom, and other technologies to facilitate live and recorded participation. 
  • The successful candidate will complete required background checks

Supervisory Relationships: 

  • The Music Director is supervised by, and works closely with the Minister, and works closely with and supports all areas of CVUU’s ministry. 
  • The Music Director supervises volunteer and paid staff, including the accompanist, when we have one. 
  • Whether music activities are conducted by employed, volunteer, or contracted personnel, the Music Director is responsible for oversight, monitoring, and evaluation. 
  • The Music Director provides staff support to those providing music and works closely with the Minister and other staff to ensure that programs effectively meet the goals of the congregation. 

Please send any indications of interest, along with a resume, to: employment@c-vuu.org