JOB DESCRIPTION: PART-TIME ORGANIST / CHOIRMASTER

Organization / Position

The Church of St. Mark located in Crown Heights, has been serving Brooklyn for over 180 years. It is a church with an Anglo-Catholic liturgical tradition and it is commonly referred to as the cathedral on the hill. St. Mark’s is a program size church with three services on a Sunday at 7:30AM, 9AM and 11:15AM. The church has a rich choral tradition and organists enjoy playing the Opus 143, electric-slide action, 3 manuals, 45 stops, 36 ranks organ. St. Mark’s Church seeks a part-time organist / choirmaster to further enhance the vibrant music ministry. The candidate must have an aptitude for the Anglican & classical music tradition as well as gospel and jazz.

Responsibilities

Church Services:

Play and direct music at the 11:15AM Sunday Services and occasionally at the 7:30AM services. Play and direct music at assign special services such as Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year’s Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, EvenSong, Lessons & Carols, major ordinations or celebrations and weddings and funerals.

Choir Director:

Select, review and arrange music for services and provide the necessary information in a timely manner for the preparation of the service bulletin. Prepare for and conduct weekly rehearsals, pre-service warm-up rehearsals and others as deemed necessary. The choir is used to singing anthems every Sunday and the congregation sings the entire mass along with the choir. Where necessary, sort out and select instrumentalist to accompany the choir. Purposefully recruit and encourage parish volunteers with musical talent to become choir members. Provide the necessary coaching in musicality and vocal singing techniques to maintain an excellent professional choir. Work in collaboration with Sunday school staff and confirmands to develop a children and youth choir. Organize concerts and other events to promote the 11:15, children and youth choirs. The 11:15 Choir has performed oratorios and annual concerts featuring choral masterworks, spirituals, gospel and contemporary music. Develop clear guidelines and expectations for choir members.

Administrative:

Work in conjunction with the other organist / choir master to ensure that the music library is well organized. Prepare an annual budget. Arrange for the maintenance and tuning of all musical instruments. Attend monthly staff meetings. Insure that the church is in compliance with the use of copyright-protected works or music.

Qualifications / Skills

- Bachelor’s degree in music OR - Music conservatory degree OR - Equivalent pedagogical training - Proficiency in playing the organ and piano - Proficiency in sight reading - Proficient in accompanying choir and/or congregation on organ or piano - Significant choir management and conducting experience

Terms & Compensation

- The position is 12-15 hours per week. - Salary based on experience and education - Four weeks per year of paid vacation - Additional stipend provided for weddings and funerals

Contact

Rev. Kino G. L. Vitet, Rector Church of St. Mark 1417 Union Street Brooklyn, NY, 11213 [email protected] 718-756-6607