Church of the Epiphany is searching for its next Choirmaster!
Please review the job description below and send a cover letter, résumé, and references to choirsearch@epiphanytempe.org as soon as possible.
Position: Choirmaster
Supervisor: Rector
Scheduled Hours: 15-20 hours per week
Position Description:
The Choirmaster will partner with the rector, organist, staff, choir, and people of Church of the Epiphany to direct the choir, and to assist in the planning of weekly worship services by providing selections of hymnody, psalmody, and other music. The Choirmaster will partner with the people of Epiphany by working with, encouraging, and growing the choir for all choral worship services. The choirmaster will use all available hymn resources within The Episcopal Church taking care to select hymns that reflect the current theology of The Episcopal Church. It is desired that the choral selections used during worship reflect the diversity of our parish, the breadth and depth of the Anglican singing tradition, and invite us deeper into prayer and worship of God. Above all, the Choirmaster will be on his or her own vibrant journey of faith and will articulate the importance of Jesus Christ in her or his own life. Under the supervision of the rector and in partnership with the staff and people of Epiphany, the Choirmaster will, from September to May:
• Provide bulletin information no later than Monday AM of any given week, or as agreed to by the Choirmaster and Rector
• In partnership with the rector, select appropriate Hymns for all 10 AM services, based on Scripture Readings, Liturgical Season or Theme or Rector’s direction
• Select appropriate Service Music to include Mass parts, sung prayers, Call to Worship and Psalms
• Select appropriate Anthems to be sung by the Choir at all 10 AM services at the Offertory, during Communion, and other times as requested
• Rehearse and encourage the Choir at weekly rehearsals
• Prepare and conduct the Choir on Anthems and other special music at all 10 AM services
• Prepare and conduct the Choir on Anthems and other music at special services, to include: Christmas Eve, Feast of the Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, Pentecost, and All Saints’ Day and as mutually agreed upon.
• Select and hire instrumental musicians as required with special attention to Christmas and Easter every year.
• Adhere to the Music Budget for purchases of new music, hired musicians or other expenses
• Work with and coach all soloists, outside of the above mentioned weekly rehearsal as needed
• The above also applies to the Summer Season from Trinity Sunday through Labor Day Weekend. It should be noted that the Choirmaster is responsible for the planning and preparation of summer music, but that actual presence during the summer is not required.
Other duties
• Maintain the Choral Library
• Research, select and format Responsorial Psalms for all sung services*
• Coordinate any children’s music within any given service if needed.
• Coordinate and schedule any guest artists, choirs or ensembles especially for high holy days like Christmas Eve and Easter.
• Host all guest artists, choirs or ensembles at both rehearsals and performances when scheduled by the choir director
• Responsible for ensuring all setup and tear down of the Sanctuary and/or Parish hall, as required by visiting performers, in coordination with office staff.
• Responsible for ensuring maintenance and cleanup of the Sanctuary, Parish Hall and restrooms following any performances in association with staff
• With Organist, maintain working relationship with vendors for repairs and service to the keyboards and other instruments
The ideal candidate will:
• Love Jesus Christ and seek to serve Him in and through this position with fullness of heart, mind, soul and strength.
• Be familiar with liturgical worship
• Work well with a team and enjoy the ongoing process of learning, challenge, and growth that the job requires.
• Display a genuine love and natural affinity for connecting with parishioners.
• Value hard work, accountability, and follow-through.
• Have 3-5 years experience working with volunteer choirs either in a church or community setting.
• Be able to work with a diversity of ages to ensure quality of choral sound.
• Have a college degree in a related field.
Pay, Hours, and Benefits
The Choirmaster is expected to work 15-20 hours a week. Pay and hours will be negotiated during the interview process. Candidates interested in this position should send a cover letter, résumé, and references to choirsearch@epiphanytempe.org as soon as possible.