Seeking Part-Time Music Director – UPDATE: Position filled

organ closeup (c) UCMHPosition Announcement: Music Director
Unitarian Church of Marlborough & Hudson
80 Main St.
P.O. Box 176
Hudson, MA 01749
(978) 562-9180
Website: http://ucmh.org

The Unitarian Church of Marlborough & Hudson, MA, a historic Unitarian Universalist church of 40 members in Central Massachusetts, is seeking a part time Music Director for 10 months a year (Aug.18-June 18), avg. 10 hours per week. Salary is $10,850, based on UUA Fair Compensation, prorated. Also includes professional expenses of $1,250 and three weeks of paid vacation.

We are a small but mighty congregation for whom music is an integral part of our worship. We engage regularly in innovative worship and offer a variety of programs, workshops and other activities for our members, friends and community through our Spiritual Growth & Community Center. The church boasts a fabulous pipe organ and grand piano, as well as several amateur/semi-pro musicians and singers of all ages. We are a vibrant congregation that is thinking outside the box with new programs and modalities as we seek to transform our lives and our world with love.

How to apply: Send resumé including at least 3 references to the attention of the Administrator at the above address, or (preferably) via e-mail to: Administrator@UCMH.org. Applications will be accepted until 06-15-24 or until the position is filled.

Requirements: A degree in Music and/or Choral Conducting or comparable experience, as well as training and experience to carry out the duties below.

  • Select, in collaboration with the minister and worship team, and perform musical portions of worship services for up to 30 Sundays a year, typically 3-4 Sundays a month from Sept. 1 through June 15. Required Sundays will be selected by the minister to reflect the needs of the worship calendar. A typical worship service includes a prelude, postlude, offertory, anthem or musical reflection, and 3 hymns. Serve as primary accompanist, generally but not limited to, fulfillment of keyboard (organ and/or piano) responsibilities and/or other accompaniment for all congregational hymns and choir pieces. Utilize resources available through Soul Matters, the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM), and other professional organizations.
  • Arrange for musicians, if needed, on scheduled Sundays off.
  • Provide music for up to 3 additional congregational services or events, including our Christmas Eve service.
  • Collaborate with musicians within the congregation, providing opportunities for them to participate musically in the worship services.
  • Assemble & Direct an adult choir, including encouraging singers and musicians to join the choir, assessment of choir capabilities and selection and rehearsal of choral pieces consistent with the same. Rehearse with and direct the choir 1-2 evenings a month and 1-2 Sundays a month.
  • Manage the music budget: Manage the spending of the music budget throughout the year. Propose an annual music budget for the fiscal 2024-25 church year (exclusive of salary and benefits) to the UCMH executive board as part of their budget discernment process.

Prior affiliation with a UU Institution desirable but not required; candidate is expected to develop understanding of UU worship and practice, and the Purposes and Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. Our ideal candidate will be open to a variety of music styles, many of which will be geared toward spirituality, justice, and personal growth.