Director of Music

Music Director Search by the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Position Begins Spring 2025

Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is seeking a new part-time (20 hrs/wk) Director of Music to start in Spring of 2025. Our growing New Jersey congregation is a vibrant, multi-generational community, spiritually alive, justice centered and committed to developing a culture of radical inclusion. We come from many religious and cultural backgrounds and find strength in our diversity. We follow multiple paths to wisdom, justice, and the sacred and we value music from a multitude of sources during our Sunday services and other musical events.

Hours per week: 20 hours per week, evening and weekend work required, 12 months per year (vacation benefits included)

Compensation and Benefits: Beginning salary follows UUA salary guidelines of $32,240-$34,320 per year depending on experience and education. Benefits include vacation time, sick leave, pension contribution after one year, and professional development and expense funds.

About MUUF: Our congregation has an average weekly service attendance of over 100 participants and an active religious education program. Services are also live-streamed for virtual attendees.

Summary: The Music Director directs and supervises the music ministry at MUUF in consultation and collaboration with the Senior Minister, Director of Religious Education, and Lay Leadership. This position includes preparing music or oversight of music for Sunday morning services. There are opportunities to create and develop other musical programming.

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Responsibilities and Duties -- Sunday Services

• Collaborate with the minister and other Fellowship leaders in the development of services and other musical activities.
• Choose service music and navigate copyright and licensing considerations in consultation with ministers and service leaders.
• Coordinate performances by a wide variety of musicians and in various styles for services, including the adult choir.
• Play piano for most services and rehearsals.
• Accompany and lead the congregation in singing.
• Support and develop the experience of congregational singing, including providing digital song sheets to be projected during services
• Provide support for Sunday services, which will be both in person and live-streamed online

Responsibilities and Duties -- All Ages Programming

• Rehearse with Adult Choir(s) once a week on Thursday evenings and lead choir at selected services.
• Provide congregants of all ages, skills, and musical styles, opportunities to explore and engage with music as a spiritual resource.
• Recruit and prepare choir and other musicians for special services, such as Christmas Eve and other significant holidays and events.
• Support ad hoc choirs and other musical groups to expand the musical experience available to adult musicians.
• Provide practice tracks for participants.

Responsibilities and Duties -- General

• Participate in appropriate meetings and consultations with staff and congregants during the week. Weekly all-staff meetings are currently Monday mornings.
• Manage the music budget, music library and instruments.
• Develop and maintain contact with music colleagues in other congregations and with the wider denomination through involvement in the various professional musical organizations.
• The Music Director will be given opportunities to provide music at weddings, memorial services and other private events for an additional honorarium.
• Collaborate with and coach volunteer musicians, including member composers, with abilities ranging from novice to experienced.
• Lead with a commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression, applying a multi-cultural lens in music and musician selection.

Qualifications and Skills

• A music degree in Vocal Music Education or Performance (with choral emphasis) and/or comparable choral conducting and directing experience.
• Piano skills are required in solo literature, accompanying choirs and instrumentalists, and leading hymns.
• Diverse knowledge of musical styles, genres, periods, and instruments as well as knowledge of or eagerness to learn about anti-racism, decolonization, and non-appropriation as it pertains to music selection and performance practices.
• Comfort with and/or eagerness to learn about working in a Unitarian Universalist environment.

Pluses (but not required)

• Familiarity with notation software, audio editing, video compilation, and modifying arrangements is a plus.
• Congregational music experience is a plus.
• Experience working with children and youth is a plus.

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Please send a resume, cover letter, and a video or audio example of keyboard skills and/or choral directing. Please feel free to also forward us a link to your professional website or YouTube channel.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $32,240.00 - $34,320.00 per year

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Morristown, NJ 07960: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $32,240 - $34,320