The Church offers a 10-12 member SATB choir, and provides a 2-manual pipe organ and a Steinway baby grand piano in the sanctuary. In addition, the Church possesses a solid and diverse library of music.
The 10:00 worship features traditional Congregational hymns but also incorporates a significant amount of contemporary music performed by a jazz band, with which the Music Director and/or Choir may perform. The choir sings at the 10:00 service from Mid-September until the middle of June. In addition, the choir is asked to sing at Holiday services and special services throughout the year, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Easter, Ash Wednesday, Tenebrae, and funerals, based on availability.
The position is part-time (12-15 hours/week) and requires 1 – 1.5 hours per week for rehearsal on Sunday morning after service as well as rehearsal on Sunday morning before service.
The Director of Music candidates must be comfortable playing organ and piano, rehearsing and conducting a choir, and working with guest vocalists and instrumentalists.
Contact Pastor Todd Yonkman at pastortodd@firstchurchsaybrook.org
Details listed below:
Music
- Provide service music for regular weekly 10:00 Sunday morning worship service on Steinway baby grand piano and/or organ.
- Direct 10-12 member SATB choir for regular weekly 10:00 Sunday morning worship service. The choir sings one to two anthems and selected responses as needed at each weekly service.
- Work closely with the Senior Minister and Jazz Band Director to select, design, and perform weekly worship music selections.
- Rehearse and perform with the jazz band for the jazz selections.
- Lead weekly 1-1.5 hour choir rehearsal at a time mutually agreed upon by the Music Director and choir members.
- For choir anthems, provide choir rehearsal audio files/tracks for choir members.
- Cooperatively plan and execute special music for weekly and/or special services (Holiday services, Christmas Pageant presentation, etc.), including rehearsal and accompaniment of soloists, vocal and/or instrumental ensembles within or outside of the church.
- Provide music at all weddings and funerals held within the church. The Music Director/Organist shall have the right of first refusal to perform at a wedding/funeral. The services of other musicians may be used only with the permission of the Music Director/Organist. In such cases, the fee is set by the other musician.
- The Music Director/Organist i
savailable to play for special services, fundraisers, church events, and concerts.
Administrative
- Set Choir rehearsal schedule, which typically runs from the first Thursday after Labor Day to the third week in June, or as mutually agreed by the Music Director and choir members.
- Purchase all necessary music and music supplies.
- Maintain music equipment.
- In conjunction with the Jazz Band Director, hire special musicians using the church’s voucher system. Expenditures in this area shall not exceed the amount provided in the church budget unless otherwise discussed and approved.
- When the Music Director/Organist is on vacation, he/she works with the Senior Pastor and Music Ministry to arrange for a substitute. The fee for a substitute organist is currently set at $250.00, which includes Sunday worship at $200.00 and choir rehearsal at $50.00. This fee is payable by the church, except when a substitute is needed beyond the vacation time provided.
- If using Hymns not found In the Church hymnal, those must be delivered to the Office Administrator, who prints them for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin.
- On a weekly basis, notify the Church Office Administrator of the titles of selections to be performed at the next service. Also provide dates, times, and location of rehearsals for inclusion in the bulletin.
- Attend weekly Tuesday morning staff meetings.
Benefits
Annual Salary — $20,000
4 vacation weeks, scheduled with approval of the Minister
Additional fees for weddings/funerals per church fee schedule
Hours:
12 – 15 Hours weekly