Borderlands Unitarian Universalist
MUSIC DIRECTOR
BUU is a liberal religious congregation in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. Music is an integral part of the life of our congregation. Music creates sacred space and beauty in our worship services and enlivens and enriches other church events. It fosters connection and feelings of well-being, provides spiritual nourishment, and helps ground people in the moment. The Music Director oversees the entire BUU music program, working as a partner in worship creation, creating and administering a vibrant and engaging music program for and with the congregation, and serving as a resource in supporting the creation of music throughout the congregation’s work.
Schedule:
The Music Director is a part-time position, working on average 10 hours per week, including preparation, rehearsal, performance, meetings, and administration throughout the year (with an emphasis on the Sept-June time period). Attendance on 2-3 Sundays per month required; availability one weekday morning 2-3 times a month preferred (for choir rehearsals and administrative meetings).
Compensation:
Qualifications:
Responsibilities:
Schedule:
The Music Director is a part-time position, working on average 10 hours per week, including preparation, rehearsal, performance, meetings, and administration throughout the year (with an emphasis on the Sept-June time period). Attendance on 2-3 Sundays per month required; availability one weekday morning 2-3 times a month preferred (for choir rehearsals and administrative meetings).
Compensation:
- Compensation based on candidate's qualifications and recommendations from the Unitarian Universalist Association Fair Compensation Guidelines.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) calculated on annualized hours from the previous church year
- Annual membership to Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM)
Qualifications:
- Formal training in choral conducting or equivalent experience
- Experience in leading and developing an adult choir of 5-25 members, with varying skill levels
- Knowledge of a broad range of music in a variety of genres and from diverse traditions, secular as well as religious
- Understanding of and support for the mission, vision, and values of BUU
- Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, and dependability
- Experience with shared leadership
- Proficiency in oral and written communication in English
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate hymn selection and other music selections for each Sunday’s service with the minister and, where necessary, lay leaders or visiting speakers
- Communicate with the choir, the pianist, and the office administrator about service plans, hymns, and musical selections
- Conduct the choir at Sunday services, typically 2-3 times a month (depending on budget and scheduling considerations). Additionally, during the weeks choir will be singing on Sunday, conduct a 90-minute rehearsal during the week and a 60-minute rehearsal just prior to the service on Sunday morning. Additional weekday rehearsals may be scheduled by the Music Director as needed.
- Coordinate musicians to serve as accompanists to the choir and as guest performers on non-choir Sundays
- Recruit new choir members and instrumentalists
- Support and develop the experience of congregational singing
- Administer the budget for the music program as allocated by the BUU Board of Directors (used to pay accompanists and guest musicians; purchase music and other supplies; piano tuning)
- Ensure that the church’s musical instruments are maintained in good playing condition
- Maintain the church’s music library and purchase new music as appropriate. Monitor copyright restrictions and ensure appropriate licensing is maintained.
- Attend monthly staff meetings with all BUU staff
- Attend monthly meetings of the Worship Arts committee for purposes of planning upcoming Sunday services
- Recruit and prepare choir and musicians for special services including memorial services, seasonal music programs, installations, and ordinations, as needed.
- Comply with the Association for UU Music Ministries (AUUMM)’s Code of Professional Practices