Now Hiring: Music Director

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Washington Ethical Society – Music Director Job Position

Deadline January 23

The Washington Ethical Society (WES) is a humanist congregation that affirms the worth of every person. Our community has a stated commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression work, and we bring those values into our workplace. We seek to create a staff whose diversity reflects our neighborhood and city. All successful candidates must be willing to support and promote our Statement of Purpose and Congregational Ends.

Reports to: Senior Leader

Status: 20 hours per week, Full Year  

FLSA: Exempt

Hours: 2-3 Sundays per month, Wednesday evenings (approximately 6pm to 10pm), Tuesday during the day for staff, supervisory, and program meetings

Salary and Benefits: We offer salaries within the UUA Salary Guidelines for Geo Index 5, Midsize II, (pro-rated), depending on experience. We also offer paid time off, insurance benefits, and a 10% contribution to 401k.

To Apply: Applications must be received by January 23, 2020. In addition to sending your cover letter and resume to amandap@ethicalsociety.org, please also complete the WES standard job application.

The Music Director supervises the WES music program, which includes the chorus, children/youth chorus, instrumentalists (band, etc.), and AV Team. The Music Director is in charge of the music presented at WES 52 Sundays per year, including at least 26 Sundays onsite. On Sundays when the Music Director is not onsite, they hire and supervise musicians from the broader community or within the congregation. In so doing, the Music Director uses music to create community and connection in the congregation at large.    

Essential Functions:

  • Lead music program to enhance the Sunday morning experience and encourage a moving, engaged experience for attendees 
  • Align music program goals with WES goals, with a special emphasis on anti-racism and other anti-oppression goals
  • Program a variety of music to meet the needs of WES members and visitors of diverse ages, tastes, and religious/spiritual orientations toward Sunday services
  • Prepare adult and children/youth choruses during weekly rehearsals for performance during Sunday morning services
  • Program music and musicians–including both members of the congregation and guest musicians from the broader community–that support themes/topics used during Sunday services
  • Encourage members of the congregation to engage in chorus and also to offer other musical gifts
  • Provide accurate and timely information for various WES publications

Other Responsibilities: 

  • Network with colleagues from other congregations to develop and share a mutual resource base of expertise
  • Acquire or maintain membership (paid for by the congregation) in Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM)
  • Continued professional development through local, regional, national, or online workshops, conferences, or classes

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in related field OR equivalent professional experience or training
  • Demonstrated skills related to music performance, conducting and chorus preparation, and music programming
  • Experience in congregational setting preferred

Physical Requirements: 

  • Able to conduct a chorus, seated or standing
  • Stamina to conduct and/or otherwise lead music for two services, over five+ hours 
  • Able to speak and perform in a public forum 

 Core Competencies:

  • Creativity and Innovation: Generates new ideas; makes new connections among existing ideas to create fresh approaches; takes acceptable risks in pursuit of innovation; learns from mistakes; has good judgment about which creative ideas and suggestions will work.
  • Technical Expertise: Acquires and demonstrates the technical skills required to proficiently execute the essential functions of the job; continually works toward the mastery of technical proficiency; is well versed in and comfortable leading a wide variety of musical genres and styles as needed for a diverse congregation; understands where their skills may need to be enhanced and willing to engage in learning to grow those skills.
  • Eliciting the Best in Others: Understands the role as a kind of ministry; creates an environment that others want to participate in by using verbal and nonverbal skills to communicate respect, and to generate energy, passion, and commitment; encourages others to cooperate, participate, provide resources or make decisions, in service to the work at hand.
  • Communication Skills: Establishes good working relationships with all others who are relevant to the completion of work; works well with people at all levels of the congregation; builds appropriate rapport; considers the impact of their actions on others; uses diplomacy and tact; is approachable; avoids communication triangles.
  • Mission Ownership: Demonstrates understanding and full support of the mission, vision, values, and Ethical Culture foundation of the congregation; can demonstrate those values to others; consistently behaves in a manner congruent with the mission, vision, and values.
  • Musical Leadership: Uses music to promote inspiring and moving experiences; crafts service flow that reinforces a theme or purpose; fosters musical experiences that invite the congregation to participate.
  • Anti-Racist Anti-Oppressive Leadership: Continues learning through engagement in anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural programming, and models a commitment to this work in the music programming.