Now Hiring A Music Director

​

A successful Music Director will provide musical leadership and accompaniment in collaboration with the wealth of volunteer musicians in the UUSGU community.
 

Background:

 

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton & Upton (UUSGU) is a community of people who recognize the inherent good in all people, extend love and acceptance to everyone, embrace the worth and dignity of every individual, and foster each other’s spiritual growth, no matter their beliefs.

 

From the outside, we look like a traditional church, in a traditional setting, in a traditional New England town. And, in some ways we are. UUSGU was founded almost 300 years ago and has been meeting continuously since 1731. On the inside, however, an altogether different spiritual practice is happening - one that emphasizes values over dogma, community connections, and justice in the world.

 

UUSGU is a multigenerational community of people from many religions, cultural and racial backgrounds, life experiences and identities, working together to build a community with Love at the center.

 

The UUSGU Music Program is an integral part of the community and has been a key attraction for members and visitors. 

 

Summary:

 

The Music Director oversees the music program of the church and provides music for worship, rites of passage, and other church events. The Music Director is responsible for working with the Minister to develop high quality, diverse choral, solo, congregational and ensemble  music programming that is consistent with our Unitarian Universalist tradition.

​

Responsibilities:

 

As an integral part of the worship team, the Music Director will:

 

1. In collaboration with the Minister and Worship Committee, develop, implement, and guide a comprehensive Music Ministry Vision.

2. Collaborate with the Minister and Worship Committee to craft a music calendar that works in tandem with the weekly and monthly worship themes.

3. Provide rehearsal leadership and piano accompaniment for the choir on a regular basis and for the youth choir on an as-needed basis.

4. Provide congregational hymn leadership, small group conducting, coaching, and/or performance support as needed.

5. Provide hymn accompaniment for the congregation as needed to support Sunday services and special worship services including, but not limited to, Christmas Eve and periodic vigil services.

6. Collaborate and coordinate with volunteer ensemble directors (e.g.: Bell Choir Director and Youth Choir Director) to integrate each ensemble into the overall music program and the Music Ministry Vision.

7. Review, organize, and maintain the UUSGU music library in both hardcopy and digital formats.

8. Arrange for tuning and upkeep of the church's instruments (piano(s), pipe organ and bells)

9. Coordinate with volunteer music ministry team members to provide hymn accompaniment and instrumental music for all worship services. In collaboration with the Worship Committee/members of music program, assure substitute music coverage on Sundays, when not in attendance.

10. Work with and encourage solo and ensemble performances by congregants as well as encourage participation in all musical opportunities (e.g., choir, handbell choir, etc.)

11. Choose appropriate instrumental and/or small ensemble repertoire which supports the Music Ministry Vision and weekly/monthly worship themes in collaboration with the Minister and Worship Committee.

12. Administer the Music Team's budget.

13. Submit an annual report to the congregation.

 

Meetings:

 

The Music Director is expected to:

​​

• Attend weekly UUSGU staff meetings​

• Attend individual meetings with the Minister as needed

• Attend monthly Worship Committee meetings, and other relevant meetings as requested

• Maintain membership in the UU Musicians Network (AUUMM) and occasionally attend professional organization gatherings when appropriate (the cost of which to be borne by the church)

 

Skills and Experience:

 

The Music Director should possess:

​​​

• A degree in the field of Music, or commensurate experience

• Sympathy with Unitarian Universalist principles and values, which can be found here.​

• Musicianship and proficiency as an instrumentalist, pianist, and choir director, as well as in leading congregational singing​

• Understanding and appreciation for a diversity of musical styles and traditions in order to support and provide diverse and eclectic musical offerings​

• A willingness and capacity to work collaboratively with the Minister and Worship Committee

• Excellent interpersonal or ''people skills"

• A background in classical music and hymnology is a plus​

 

Reports to:  Minister

 

Work Schedule:

 

Twenty hours (½ time) per week during the church program year (third week of August through third week of June - exact dates to be established each year based on when Labor Day falls)

 

From July to August work hours are reduced to Twelve hours per week for eight weeks, and are flexible are subject to the Music Directors availability. 

 

Benefits:

 

As described in the Employment Agreement and the UUSGU Personnel Policy Manual

 

Compensation:

 

Commensurate with UUSGU & UUA Guidelines

 

 

If interested, please submit your resume to minister@uusgu.org

 

Please include links to video examples, if available, of you performing music and/or leading musical ensembles.​​​​