MUSIC/CHORAL DIRECTOR (Part Time)
Position Description
The KUPC Music/Choral Director is a part-time position responsible to the pastor. The position carries out the specific duties listed below. The Music/Choral Director is a part-time member of the staff of Kanawha United Presbyterian Church and is a contributing member of the Christian community of lay and ordained church workers.
Only Serious Applicants. Persons must be willing and able to accept the position and then occupy the position within forty-five (45) days of selection. Not all applicants will be contacted for a personal interview. Applicants may be required to submit audio materials or other media demonstrating their performance skills.
As Music Director/Organist, the successful candidate will …
- Provide overall direction and rehearsal of the Adult Choir, as well as selection of anthems.
- Select appropriate hymns in conjunction with the pastor which are reflective of the liturgical season and designated Scripture texts.
- Provide organ or piano music at traditional Sunday worship services, and special celebrations of worship, when the principal organist is unavailable.
- Accompany vocalists and instrumentalists, when the principal organist is unavailable.
- Manage Choral Scholars Program, including the planning of fundraising events/concerts.
- Schedule and coordinate performances of outside musicians.
- Have the right of first refusal in regard to providing organ music at all weddings and funerals held within the church. The minimum fee for performing at a member wedding ceremony and providing one consultation (either by phone or in person) shall be $200; a non-member fee shall be $250. The fee for a funeral or memorial service shall be $150. Additional remuneration shall be negotiated for rehearsals with soloists or for extraordinary practice time necessitated by unusual musical requests.
- Provide for qualified substitutes for all absences.
- Choose and purchase organ or piano music within the approved budgetary parameters.
- Oversee the tuning and maintenance of all musical instruments of the church within the approved budget and provide regular reports specifying maintenance needs to the Worship Committee.
- Perform other duties from time to time as may be directed by the Pastor or Session and agreed to by the parties involved.
- Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings, and session or committee meetings, if requested.
- Have permission to conduct private lessons and make the organ/piano available to qualified students.
- Seek professional relationships with other church choral directors and keep abreast of developments in worship and liturgy through associations, continuing education, and professional church publications.
- Be provided two weeks of paid vacation time per year at a time agreed upon by the pastor but not during Christmas or Easter seasonal service time.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Possesses the ability to skillfully perform on a Rieger-Kloss organ/and or piano.
- A minimum of a Bachelor of Music degree and sufficient keyboard ability to sight read hymns and easy anthem accompaniments on an organ or piano.
- Possess excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Possess knowledge of and support for the church’s mission and goals.
KUPC is an equal opportunity employer. A pre-employment background check is required.
Hours/Wages per week: 20 hours per week with a salary of $25,000
Salary is negotiable, commensurate with experience and abilities.
To apply, email resume and cover letter (by October 15, 2023) to: marjoriecooke2019@gmail.com
or mail to:
Kanawha United Presbyterian Church
Attention: Music/Choral Director Search Committee
1009 Virginia St. East
Charleston, WV 25301