St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church Job Description—Director of Music/Organist

Employment Type| Part Time

Position Summary

The Director of Music provides musical leadership for the congregation and choirs of St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church. This position reports directly to the Rector and is responsible for planning, rehearsing, and performing music for worship services and parish events.  This is a part-time, at-will position.

Key Responsibilities

Worship Planning and Preparation

  • Collaborate with clergy and Choral Director to select hymns, service music, and anthems for worship services, major liturgical celebrations, and special events such as weddings and funerals.

  • Rehearse music selections on a weekly basis.

  • Oversee weekly choir and handbell rehearsals (midweek and/or Sundays as determined).

  • Oversee and support the Folk Ensemble, in conjunction with the Director of the Folk Ensemble.

  • Recruit and schedule professional musicians for Sunday services and special events when appropriate. 

Music Performance and Conducting

  • Accountable for the adult choir and congregation from September through May.

  • Accountable for summer music programs and congregation from June through August.

  • Play organ for services, as well as piano when appropriate. 

  • Prepare solos and small ensemble presentations as appropriate.

  • Collaborate with Director of Choristers (Children’s Choir—September through May)

Administrative Duties

  • Maintain regular communication with choir members and Choir Music Committee.

  • Attend and participate in scheduled staff and worship planning meetings.

  • Manage the music operating budget and Friends of Music restricted account with support from the Vestry Music Committee.

  • Process payments for professional musicians in accordance with church procedures.  

  • Manage music library and instruments.

  • Contribute articles related to church music for parish communications, as requested.

 Leadership and Program Development

  • Provide opportunities for parish musicians to participate in services and events.

  • Nurture a vibrant and engaged choir, which includes actively recruiting and mentoring new members as well as listening to member feedback. 

  • Propose and develop initiatives for enhancing the parish’s music ministry within financial, volunteer, and staff time capability.

Intellectual Property

  • The church recognizes that any original compositions or arrangements created by the Director of Music remain the sole intellectual property of the Director.

  • The Director of Music will ensure proper permissions and attribution for all copyrighted material used in worship.

Other Expectations

  • Foster an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment for all musical participants.

  • Perform a variety of sacred music genres appropriate to Episcopal traditions.

  • Model professional behavior, reliability, and musical excellence at all times.

  • Comply with Episcopal Diocese and parish policies, including Safe Church guidelines, and complete required training.

  • Submit background check documentation as required by the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.

  • Serves as point of contact in the local community for music related organizations. 

Duties Excluded from Expectations

  • Incumbent will assist with planning music for weddings and funerals when requested by clergy, but is not required to perform.  It is possible to do so, however, upon the request of the family. Organist fees will be reviewed with the clergy during planning sessions and payments will be made directly to the incumbent from the family. 

  • The incumbent is not responsible for fund raising activities for the Friends of Music account.

  • There is no expectation to provide a major concert event.  However, smaller musical events are valued by the parish if consistent with financial, volunteer, and staff capacity.

Work Schedule

·         The incumbent will work 28/hours a week.  A routine weekly schedule will be mutually agreed upon by the Rector and incumbent.  That schedule can only be changed with the mutual agreement of both parties. 

 Qualifications

Required:

  • Proficiency in organ and piano performance.

  • Strong choral conducting skills.

  • Familiarity with Episcopal liturgical traditions and music.

  • Ability to work collaboratively with clergy, staff, and volunteers.

Preferred:

  • Bachelor’s degree in music, sacred music, or related field.

  • Previous experience directing church music programs.

 

Equal Opportunity

St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church is committed to equal employment opportunities and welcomes all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable law.