Old South Church in Boston 645 Boylston Street  Boston, MA 02116  617/536-1970  Old South Music

• a) Job Announcement

• b) Full Job Description

• c) Application Instructions

The historic Old South Church, Boston, a member of the United Church of Christ, seeks a skilled organist and experienced choir director to lead the ministry of music at this dynamic urban church.  This full-time position requires strong communication skills, knowledge of the liturgy, and networking abilities.  In addition to playing the organ and directing the vocal choir, the MoM oversees paid and volunteer music staff, the music budget, and use and care of the church’s instruments, including a Steinway grand piano, Whitechapel handbells, and Skinner Organ.  Excellent fringe benefits.  Salary DOE in accordance with AGO and denominational guidelines.
For important application instructions, see below or click here..

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Minister of Music Job Description
As of November 8, 2005
 

Music Ministry at Old South Church
The ministry of music at Old South Church seeks to glorify God and mediate the grace and presence of God through:

• the creative interpretation of the Church’s musical literature, and

• the fostering of community within the church, the city, and beyond.

Accountability
The Minister of Music, according to the by-laws, is employed by the Church Council on recommendation of the Music Committee in consultation with the Board of Deacons and the Senior Minister.  The Minister of Music is responsible with the Music Committee for the music ministry’s program development, planning, and management.  The Minister of Music is immediately responsible to the Senior Minister.
 

Responsibilities of the Minister of Music
In general:  As the primary organist and choir director, the Minister of Music serves as a resource to support, foster and coordinate the worship life of the congregation through congregational, choral, and instrumental music, mindful of Old South’s tradition of sacred music.  The position is full-time.  As a member of the professional staff, the Minister of Music works with the clergy, staff, and volunteers to plan and coordinate worship services and related activities.  The Minister of Music supervises music personnel and meets regularly with the Music Committee.

Other professional and pastoral activities include:

1.      Plan, direct and perform the music for all regular and special services of worship, in consultation with the ministers.  These responsibilities are to be performed with a pastoral mindset, openness to diverse styles of music, sensitivity to the balance of familiar and unfamiliar hymns, and an awareness of an increasingly multicultural congregation.  The Minister of Music is expected to maintain the highest professional competencies in performance and leadership and to sustain the highest possible Christian and professional ideals in the program presentation given the resources available, the wide range of religious and liturgical literature and repertoire, and the purposes of the church.

2.      Maintain and build upon a music program that draws upon a number of constituencies, including a chancel choir, handbell choir, youth choir(s), instrumental ensembles, and groups with specific foci such as jazz music, madrigals, etc.

•        Chancel Choir – Recruit, train, and direct the Old South Choir.  Audition and engage section leaders and vocal soloists.  Direct a summer choir.

•        Youth Music Program – Develop a music program for youth, which may include vocal choirs, chime and/or handbell choirs, and more.

•        Engage instrumentalists as appropriate.

•        Nurture fellowship among members of the choirs through social and educational activities.

3.      Actively encourage and engage congregational participation in the church’s musical life by:

 
•        Recruiting congregational talent for the various choirs and music groups.

•        Offering “non-performance” opportunities outside of regular worship services (e.g. hymn sings)

•        Coordinate musical activities with other groups in the church.

4.      Develop and nurture relationships with other church and music programs in the wider community, and encourage collaborative activities and events for the church and the city.

5.      Provide music for weddings, funerals, and other special services.  Additional compensation for such services will be in accordance with church guidelines.

6.      Administrative Responsibilities
 

a.       Prepare and administer the annual music budget.

b.      Oversee the use, care and maintenance of the church’s musical instruments and libraries, including:

•        Reviewing requests of those wishing to use the church for performance and practice; and

•        Overseeing the use of the organ and other instruments for recital and practice purposes.

•        Initiate improvements in the church’s instruments, such as completion of the installation of the ranks on the church’s E.M. Skinner organ.

c.       Oversee the Assistant Organist and/or Music Intern as she/he assists the Minister of Music.

d.      Make recommendations for publicity in consultation with the appropriate staff.

e.       Arrange for music leadership during vacation and other absences.
 

Minister of Music Application Instructions

In order to apply for the Minister of Music position, please send us a cover letter and your resume/curriculum vitae.  In your cover letter, please be sure to:
        (1) tell us why you are seeking this Minister of Music position, and
        (2) describe your understanding of the role of music in the life of a congregation.

Kindly email and attach your letter and resume to: musicsearch@oldsouth.org
(Note: attachments should be in PDF or Word format.)

Applicants are invited but not required to submit additional materials (such as recordings or programs) for the search committee’s consideration.  Candidates choosing to send additional materials should alert us in their cover letter and
should mail them to:

         Old South Church
         c/o Music Search Committee
         645 Boylston St.
         Boston, MA  02116

Unfortunately, we are unable to return any additional materials submitted.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
 
 

                * To return to detailed Job description, click here.

                * To return to Job announcement, click here.

                * To return to Old South Church Home page, click here.