UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF HARTFORD SEEKS DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

SUMMARY

The Unitarian Society of Hartford (USH) seeks a Director of Music for a salaried position at an average of 18 hours per week.  The Director of Music will lead the USH choir, provide keyboard (piano and/or organ) accompaniment during Sunday worship services; and provide oversight to our Music Program (coordinating guest musicians, managing the budget, and leading the visioning and expansion of our Music Program).

ABOUT OUR CONGREGATION

USH is a welcoming, vibrant, rapidly growing and spiritually alive, justice-seeking Unitarian Universalist congregation with a strong musical tradition.   Our services have a reputation for consistently high-quality worship characterized by profound, thought-provoking, and deeply moving sermons and readings, complemented by thematically congruent music that uplifts the worship experience.  We seek a Director of Music who thrives in a highly dynamic and creative environment that fosters mutual respect and the embrace of a wide range of talent and resources. We seek to create a transcendent experience that nourishes and inspires our collective and individual spirit.

ABOUT OUR MUSIC PROGRAM

Our Music Program boasts high quality and diverse music that draws from a repertoire ranging from Bach and Brahms to folk, jazz, musical theater, contemporary music and music from around the world, consistent with Unitarian Universalism’s approach to worship.   Renowned musical artists have found participating in our services as transformative and spiritually and artistically satisfying as our congregation does. Our budget includes line items for paid section leaders to support our intention to grow our choral program. The position anticipates that the choir will sing two times monthly (excluding summers). Our sanctuary piano is a Mason Hamlin grand piano. Our organ is an Austin three manual 57 rank instrument with full MIDI capability. We also have a piano and organ in our Chapel and a new baby grand piano in Fellowship Hall.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL:

• Embrace and thrive in a collaborative environment as part of a dedicated, resourceful and creative worship team of lay leaders and a beloved, talented and dynamic minister, who all bring exceptional skill sets, knowledge and resources to the worship experience. 
• Bring passion and joy as well as proven skill sets, experience, and creativity to the art of conducting a volunteer choir, as well as to the recruitment and retention of choral members.
• Possess and build upon a diverse and wide range of musical genres and repertoire that will complement, enhance and uplift worship experiences that characterize Unitarian Universalist services.
• Be an accomplished keyboardist with experience as a worship accompanist, providing solos, hymn leadership, and other accompaniment. (Organ competency is not required, though it is a plus).

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Training and/or proven experience in directing volunteer choirs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Self-directed, organized and follows through with commitments.
• Strong keyboard skills.
• Ensures both choral and instrumental music of varied genres are performed throughout the church year.
• Appreciation for Unitarian Universalism as a religious tradition that draws from the wisdom and spirituality of many sources; including science and poetry, to world religions, earth-centered traditions and the direct experience of mystery and awe.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plan and implement the rehearsals and performances of choral and instrumental music at Sunday worship services.

• Direct the choir during worship services at least two Sundays per month during the regular church year and rehearse the choir weekly (usually a weekday evening and on Sunday morning when scheduled to sing) with summers off, including special music services.
• Provide piano and/or organ music to enhance each weekly service, e.g. hymns, preludes, postludes in addition to choir accompaniment as appropriate.
• Recruit and retain members for the choir and make use of the rich musical talent and resources within the congregation.
• Hire section leaders and guest musicians as well as accompanists for choir rehearsals and performances as needed.
• Manage other aspects of the music program including: maintaining church instruments; overseeing the music library and music budget; submitting reports and financial updates; and complying with music licensing requirements.

COMPENSATION

Part-time salaried position at $25,000 (negotiable) annually for an average of 18 hours per week.  

It is encouraged that the Director of Music plays for a negotiated fee at rites of passage for congregants. Additionally, they have the right of first-refusal to play for all weddings and memorial services held at the Meeting House for non-congregants.

TO APPLY:

Send an email with the subject “Director of Music Application” with your cover letter, resume, and three references related to your skill and experience to jobpostings@hartforduu.org.  Preference given to applications received by July 1, 2025.

The Unitarian Society of Hartford is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage people of color, immigrants, people of any class, people of all genders, and people with disabilities to apply.

LINKS TO SPECIAL MUSIC SERVICES

The Genius of Mozart -  September 22, 2024                            https://vimeo.com/1011766309

Someone’s Calling, Pick Up - October 6, 2024                               https://vimeo.com/1016749317

Prophetic Possibilities and the Politics of Heresy - November 17, 2024     https://vimeo.com/1030483854                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Love, Loss and the Moonlight Sonata - February 9, 2025    https://vimeo.com/1054963604

I Dreamed a Dream - April 27, 2025                                                   https://vimeo.com/1079114660