Minister of Music (St. George’s Episcopal Church • Maplewood, NJ)

St. George’s is seeking an energetic, creative, and faithful Minister of Music, who views their role and that of the entire music team, as a ministry to the service and glory of God, to join us in our ministry in the Maplewood/South Orange community!

Position Title: Minister of Music

Congregation: St. George’s Episcopal Church, Maplewood, NJ (www.stgeorges-maplewood.org)

Type of Commitment: Part-time (20-25 hours a week)

Compensation: $25,000-$30,000 salary range, plus pension contribution

Required Qualifications

• Degree in music or equivalent work experience.

• Proficient at playing the organ and piano.

• Knowledgeable about diverse church music styles from traditional hymnody to contemporary worship.

• Experience directing choirs of adults and children is desired, as well as identifying individual musical gifts amongst the broader church community to enhance worship.

• Proven ability to maintain, expand and improve the church’s library and catalog of vocal and instrumental scores and ensure compliance with copyright and reporting.

• Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility in working with a small church team.

• Hands on skills or, at a minimum, demonstrated familiarity with technologies that support virtual choir participation and musical recordings for use in livestreamed church services.

Position Responsibilities

The Rector and Minister of Music will collaborate to determine the best use of time and focus regarding position responsibilities, in respect to the 20-25 hour a week position, as the music ministry and its lay leadership grows.

In addition to the qualities described above, our next Minister of Music will be responsible for:

Worship

• Collaborate with the Rector to design and implement a music ministry that represents and engages the full diversity of music of God’s Church.

• In consultation with the Rector and the lay leadership of the music ministry: plan, prepare, lead, and play for (or supervise the leadership) for the 9:30am and 11am services, as well as special Church holidays that are observed outside of Sundays (Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, All Souls, Christmas Eve, etc.); this will be worked out with the Rector, according to the 20-25 hours contracted.

• Engage the musical talents and gifts of our parish members in worship services and/or special events. Our congregation possesses lots of musical talent: a choir of 12 people, a growing cantor ministry, several pianists, a jazz group leader, an organist, acoustical and classical guitarists, a drummer, a trumpeter, a cellist, and even a harpist!

• At both services, collaborate with parishioners to encourage their musical leadership and create vibrant musical participation throughout the congregation.

• At both services, grow youth and children involvement and encourage their leadership in our music ministry (as accompaniments, as soloists, and/or through starting a youth choir/band, as some examples).

• Prepare and lead regular rehearsals for choir and musicians. Note: as lay leadership grows, the Minister of Music may not need to be present at all rehearsals, as the laity is encouraged and supported to take on new leadership in the music ministry.

• Work with parishioners to care for and order new choir robes, surplices, instruments, other larger item supplies as needed.

Administration

• Be present, prepared, and engaged for staff meetings and 1-on-1 meetings with the Rector.

• Will be responsible for managing their Vestry approved music budget and purchasing any needed music.

• Collaborate with the parish administrator in maintaining and obtaining any music licenses that are needed, and for ensuring that all copyright laws are adhered to.

• Maintain and oversee the maintenance of musical instruments on an as-needed basis (including tuning and repair of our organ, pianos, drums, and guitars, etc.).

• Will be responsible in securing supply musicians on Sundays that they are away due to vacation, Sabbath, sickness, etc.

• With dedicated parishioners, organize, grow, and maintain the music library of the parish.

• From time to time, perform other duties as may be assigned by the Rector, as time allows.

Professional Development

• Maintain skills through regular practice, performance, score study, and private study.

Long-term Vision for Position:

Our hope and vision is to grow this position over time with the called Minister of Music to include these additional responsibilities, with proper compensation.

Community

• Engage the broader, family friendly community by creating and growing either a faith oriented afterschool music/choir program or a week-long summer program for children and youth that builds relationships with our neighbors and invites them into our worshipping community.

• Build relationships and collaborate with local choirs/bands/glee clubs/school music groups/etc. as a part of our parish’s community outreach and engagement, as time allows.

• From time to time and as time allows, envision and lead community concerts/musicals/etc. to benefit the parish’s ministry.

Opportunities for Other Income:

• Right of first refusal to plan and play music for all funerals and weddings performed in the parish for a fee of $250 per service and $100 per rehearsal.

• As space is available in the sanctuary and choir rooms and with agreement of the Rector, ability to use space to lead private music lessons and classes.

How to Apply:

Interested in the position? Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to Rev. Grant Mansfield at revgrant@stgeorges-maplewood.org by March 1st, 2021.