FIRST CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL of FAIRFIELD UCC

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC and ORGANIST

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Director of Music and Organist (Part time)

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIESThe Director of Music is responsible for the sacred music ministry of the church and oversees all musical ensembles and events. The principal role of the Directoris to collaborate with the pastors in creating inspirational and uplifting services of worship, thereby enriching and empowering the overall ministry of the church. The Director of Music is the organist and choral conductor of the church and will work with the choirs, staff, lay leaders and the Board of Music to provide overall leadership for the music ministry of the congregation, building on the church’s musical heritage so that it grows with vision, energy and diversity.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Worship & Music

1.Work collaboratively with the pastors and staff in planning and coordinating worship services. Understand, value and incorporate a wide range of musical expression - choral, solo, and instrumental, utilizing traditional, global and contemporary idioms.

2.Conduct and accompany the Chancel Choir rehearsal (currently on Thursday evenings), rehearse the Choir at 9:00 am on Sundays and play for the Sunday worship services (currently 8:15am in Chapel; 10:15am in Sanctuary).

3. Select and practice service music suitable to themes of worship; consult with the pastors in the selection of hymns and practice for enhanced congregational singing.

4.Special worship services as scheduled (i.e. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas Eve, etc.)

5.Occasional ecumenical services and concerts or musical events (i.e. Holocaust Memorial, Operation Hope Concert, community Thanksgiving service, etc.)

Ensemble Leadership, Organist and Choir Master

1.Recruit, support, promote, develop, teach and direct theChancel Choir and the Hand Bell Choir; develop and conduct additional ensembles as needed on a temporary or seasonal basis and oversee leadership of Youth/Children's Choirs.

2.Audition and engage section leaders as provided for in the Music

Budget and in consultation with the Pastors and Board of Music.

3.Provide musical accompaniment and choral direction for all

rehearsals for choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists.

4.Serve as organist, pianist and conductor of the Chancel Choir and other vocal ensembles in worship services. Provide additional keyboard and vocal leadership as required.

5.Identify and encourage the musical talents of the members of the

congregation and engage them in the ministry of music.

6.Audition and engage other musicians and performers to enrich the

musicalofferings for the congregation and community.

Administration

  1. Attend monthly meetings of the Board of Music; assist in the preparation of annual budgets;in conjunction with appropriate committees manage the budget for the entire music ministry.
  2. Coordinate with the Board of Music to provide for the safety and

security of the organs, pianos and other musical instruments and to oversee their use and maintenance.

  1. Maintain a current catalog of the music library and its appropriate

organization and storage.

  1. Purchase necessary music for the various ensembles, soloists,

and instrumentalists in accordance with current publishing and copyright laws.

5.Participate in weekly staff meetings and planning sessions.

6.As time allows, assist Music Board in producing a concert series of

musicians and performers designed to attract a wide range of audiences to the church.

  • Privileges

1.The Pastors will recommend the services of the Minister of Music for weddings and funerals and the Minister of Music will have the right of refusal for all such services.

2.Use of facilities and instruments for purposes of conducting private lessons.

ACCOUNTABILITY: to the Pastor, who conducts annual reviews with the assistance of the Personnel Board and the Board of Music.

SUPPORT: Meets with a representative of the Personnel Board or Search Committee at three month intervals to discuss and receive assistance with concerns and challenges.