Southampton United Church invites applications for the position of Music Director. The town of Southampton is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron 35 kilometers west of Owen Sound. The successful applicant will provide enthusiastic musical leadership incorporating traditional and more contemporary music throughout the worship service.  The paid position is for 10 hours per week. The church has a two manual pipe organ and a grand piano. There is an adult choir that has a regular practice schedule. A copy of the job description is available upon request. Interested applicants should submit a letter of application and a complete resume by March 31, 2021 to Ridley Gillmore at rgillmore1@gmail.com. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, seeks a choir director/organist for our traditional Sunday services. This position is now open as a result of the retirement of the previous choir director and organist after many years of faithful service. We are a vibrant church of about 300 people, worshipping on Sunday mornings at two services - a contemporary service at 9:30 am and a more traditional service at 11:00 am. Combined services are held occasionally during the year, and throughout the summer months. Our vision is to be a unified church, on-mission in the city, known for our contribution, equipping families and multiplying disciples. We look forward to the appointment of a choir director/organist who shares this vision and who is willing to undertake this leadership ministry. Further information about our church and its ministry can be found at stpaulspcottawa.com.

St. Paul’s Church Choir has consisted of about 20+ enthusiastic volunteers, and has played a prominent leadership role in worship at our traditional Sunday morning services and at other special services during the church year. Currently, membership has been affected by Covid-19 and other challenges, so it has suffered somewhat. The incoming choir director/organist should be prepared to actively recruit members from within the congregation when our church is permitted to reopen for regular weekly worship. There is a need to augment numbers in all parts, as well as to attract younger singers. Choir rehearsals normally take place on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings before the 11:00 am service. The choir goes into recess from mid-June to early September.

To enable the choir to continue its leadership role, we are looking for an enthusiastic and committed choir director/organist who is able to work in harmony with the choir and the church leadership. Since few choir members are trained singers or skilled sight-readers, the director will need to exercise care in the choice of music and in encouraging choir members to develop their musical talents. An extensive library of choral music has been maintained and upgraded over the years, and the church’s annual budget provides for the purchase of additional new music. Choice of music for the choir is the prerogative of the choir director, but in exercising this responsibility there will be a need for sensitivity, not only to the nature of the traditional service and those who attend it, but also to the degree of difficulty of the music, and the make-up of the choir. Familiarity with music-learning aids for choir members would be an asset.

As organist, the successful applicant will be responsible for choosing and playing appropriate service music and choir anthems (either on the organ or piano). Our sanctuary musical instruments include a fine 3-manual Rodgers 950 electronic organ and a well-maintained Baldwin Model L 6’ 1” grand piano.

It is anticipated that the average weekly hours of the choir director/organist position will be approximately 12 - 14 hours. Remuneration will be based on formal qualifications and relevant experience.

Applications (which will be treated in strictest confidence) will be received until January 31, 2021, or until the position is filled. Please direct inquiries and applications to Dan Seekings, Search Committee Chair, d.seekings@sympatico.ca. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their skills in organ playing and choir directing by way of an audition if so invited. Under Covid constraints appropriate arrangements may be made for virtual interviews and auditions.

Streetsville United Church
274 Queen St S
Mississauga ON L5M 1L8

Streetsville United Church (SUC) is a vibrant suburban congregation seeking a Director of Music. The position is an 11 month, renewable Fee for Service Contract (Contract for Services) with an opportunity to develop the music program in new and innovative directions. The initial offering is equivalent to 2/5 part time with the opportunity to grow to a half time position. The successful candidate will have technical competence in playing the organ and piano, as well as ability to direct a SATB Senior Choir. He/she will meet regularly with the Minister to develop and plan music to complement the worship service and, demonstrate a willingness to be a part of the SUC community. The successful candidate will be responsible to the Church Council through the Ministry & Personnel Committee. For more information on our church please see our Living Faith Story posted on our website https://www.streetsvilleunited.ca/living-faith-story/

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Directing the Senior Choir (SATB) of 15 voices and playing the organ/piano for midweek rehearsals and Sunday services and other regularly scheduled special services and events.
• Meeting regularly with the Minister to ensure that the music offered in worship is consistent with the overall spiritual direction of worship.
• Working toward a collaborative relationship with leaders of 2 praise bands and junior choir as well as the tech team.
• Selecting and purchasing new music and music supplies for the Senior Choir and from time to time may include the purchase of music for the overall music program.
• Planning and scheduling music for regular worship services and/or special services in the form of vocal solos, duets, quartets, instrumental solos, ensembles, bands.
  

Working Environment:

• SUC has a Phoenix PD351 Digital Pipe organ and Yamaha upright acoustic piano which are approximately 15 years old and well maintained.
• Knowledge of Voices United and More Voices hymn books is an asset.
• Work toward the development of a music program, coordinated under the direction of the Minister, which will include all areas of musical life of the SUC congregation.
• This is a 2/5 part time, renewable Fee for Service Contract over 11 months with the opportunity to grow to half time.
• The Director of Music has the right of first refusal in providing music for weddings and funerals.

Remuneration:

• The start date for this position is open for discussion during an interview.
• Remuneration will be based on qualifications and experience, following the RCCO salary scale.

For a full Job Description, please visit our website https://www.streetsvilleunited.ca/2020/11/director-of-music-search/

If this is an opportunity that excites you, please submit your resume with a covering letter that describes how your experience relates to the qualifications we seek to search@streetsvilleunited.ca

Job Posting: Director of Music Ministry

St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, Vancouver BC

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church,

Suite 100, 1022 Nelson Street

Vancouver, BC, Canada V6E 4S7

About us

St. Andrew’s-Wesley is a vibrant, diverse and engaged congregation housed in a recently restored heritage sanctuary in the heart of downtown Vancouver, BC.  We are an inclusive and affirming church with members from diverse ages, cultures, spiritual heritage and backgrounds who come together for community, exploration and transformation. Our mission is to be a Light in the Heart of the City and our faith inspires us to work for change through compassion, peace and justice. Our music ministry program is an expression of the mission, values, and theology of the church community. The organ is 4 manual Casavant organ with a moveable console.  The new 4th manual is a Gallery division with 2 high-pressure reeds.

We are seeking a Director of Music Ministry to lead our music program. If you are an inspired and compassionate music leader, with —

• a love and respect for people,
• the ability to create music programs using a wide variety of music styles
• proven directing, arranging/composition skills and instrumental ability,

we invite you to apply.

One candidate (3/4 to full-time) with both directing and accompaniment skills, or two candidates, one for the lead Director role, and one for the music accompaniment role, may fill this position. Payscale commensurate with Royal Canadian College of Organists guidelines.

Role Scope & Purpose:

The Director of Music Ministry is responsible for the oversight, planning and coordination of all areas of the church’s Music Programme, and plays a key role in the spiritual practice and experience of this congregation and the spiritual edification of the church and the local community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Music planning, selection, and leadership for church services in consultation with the Lead Minister and other leadership team members
• Music accompaniment on piano and pipe organ
• Creating and directing Choirs (Vocal Ensemble, Sanctuary Choir, Community Choir), coordination of musicians (amateur and professional), and other music elements including soloists/band/orchestra
• Administration/Coordination of music program, and curating/planning concerts and special music events

Skills & Competencies:

Musical:

• Versed in a wide range of music styles including Christian hymns, classical music, contemporary music (Christian, World, Jazz, Inspirational)
• Arranging skills (able to write parts for instruments/choir); Composition skills a plus
• Instrumental ability (organ, piano and maybe others)
• Producing and directing special events and programs
• Connection with local music scene (or eagerness to build connection if not local)
• Familiarity with technical aspects of concert/music performance: sound, miking, soundboards

Leadership:

• Constructive leader and team member, facilitator and coordinator
• Strong interpersonal skills, a good listener
• Willingness to cultivate talents and increase participation in congregational members
• Conceptualize and lead the musical component of worship and provide supervision and training to other music worship leaders.

Qualities & Values:

• Visionary, with an ability to grow, change and develop over the years
• Versatility, in both musical knowledge and ability to adapt
• Positive attitude
• Appreciation for and belief in diversity and inclusion
• Dependable, responsible, self-motivated and creative

Spirituality:

• Have an active spiritual life formed within or in alignment with the Christian tradition with a general knowledge of the Bible and Christian traditions, stories, and practices

Qualifications/Education/Experience:

• Minimum Undergraduate degree in Music (Masters preferred)
• Experience in church or community music leadership
• Proven musical skills and competence
• Committed to the church’s vision, leadership, and people

COVID Note:  Given the restrictions of the pandemic, we will proceed in a way that is safe for candidates and all involved.  If in-person auditions remain difficult, we encourage potential candidates to create and send online examples of their work.

Please send your submission to StAW Music Director Search Committee at stawmusicministry@gmail.com

Submission Closing Date: January 15th, 2021