Director of Music

Position Title:

Director of Music

Position

Hours:

Part-time avg 6-10 hrs/wk

Salary Range: $14,000 - $18,000, commensurate with experience

Governance:
Supervised by the Minister, reports to the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church Board of Directors

Start Date:

September 2026

The Director of Music (the “Director”) will be supervised by the Harvard Unitarian Universalists Church (“HUUC”) Minister (the “Minister”) on behalf of the HUUC Board of Directors (the “Board”) to perform the following:

• To develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive, quality music program within the context of our Unitarian Universalist congregation;
• To guide and spiritually nurture a lively community of those who wish to participate in the musical life of the Congregation and enhance the overall quality of congregational life;
• To honor the musical diversity of our community.

Worship services:
Perform / coordinate service music for weekly Sunday services and the Christmas Eve service on piano/organ including prelude, interludes, postlude, hymns, offertory. On Sundays when performing worship service, the Director is expected to direct and accompany the choir. Expect to take some Sundays off to permit other musicians to supply worship music / programming. (Approx once a month.)

• Choirs:
  Schedule and direct weekly rehearsals of the choir from late August through June; provide practice materials for choir members; communicate with choir members via email and phone; recruit and train new members; support enjoyment and musical growth of individual members and the group; serve as accompanist. Support the Junior Choir through regular recruitment and rehearsals.
• Planning:
  Collaborate regularly with the Minister, Ministry, and/or Worship Team to select hymns and special music compatible with the service theme, collaborate with the Music Committee to obtain publishers’ permissions for the use of copyrighted materials. Work in conjunction with the Music Committee to prepare the annual music program budget and Annual Report.
• Repertoire:
  Review, select, and purchase instrumental and choral music as needed; maintain our choral library and a personal library of piano/organ literature.
• Special Music:
  Arrange for guest musicians from within and outside the congregation, as desired.
• Promotion and Communication:
  Advocate for and publicize the music program through the HUUC newsletters, website, along with other means.
• Special Events:
  Consult with other church leaders to plan and coordinate music for special programs such as concerts, fundraisers, etc.
• Instrument Care:
  Supervise the care, tuning, maintenance, and repair of the piano, harpsichord, and organ.
• Substitutes:
  Assist in arranging for a substitute musician when not able to be present.

• Highly developed keyboard skills; familiarity with a wide range of keyboard literature; ability to play the organ is encouraged but not required.
• Ability to function as a collaborative pianist to build a musical community that provides music as ministry versus performance.
• Choral directing experience and knowledge of a diverse choral repertoire, including classical religious music and folk, jazz, gospel, world, and popular music.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication, and leadership skills; the ability to motivate and work well with the choirs and coordinate closely with the Minister regarding the music program. Ability to respect the confidentiality of all participants.
• Ability to manage the administrative aspects of the music program, such as recruitment of choir members and guest musicians; arranging for piano, harpsichord, and organ maintenance and repair; and managing the music budget.
• Respect for Unitarian Universalism, willingness to learn about the history, principles and values of UUism, if the candidate does not identify as a UU.

Pay: $14,000.00 - $18,000.00 per year, depending on experience.