Marble Collegiate Church on Fifth Avenue in New York City is seeking a full time Director of Music as early as mid-April 2023.

Summary:

The Director of Music (“Director”) will lead a comprehensive ministry of music for a diverse church with a tradition of musical excellence and the highest of standards reflecting the faith and soul of a deeply spiritual congregation that loves to sing.

This person of faith should be well-versed in a variety of sacred classical and contemporary music from wide-ranging national and international origins and genres, utilizing music to lead participants and listeners toward a deeper connection with their spiritual journey. The Director works in close collaboration with the Ministers to design worship experiences for each liturgical season containing strong scriptural, theological and emotional arcs intended to engage, inspire, uplift, and comfort.

The Director plans music for Sunday worship, seasonal services, special programs and events, and recruits, rehearses, and directs choirs, ensembles, soloists, and instrumentalists (These groups may include professional employees, contractors, and volunteers). In addition, the Director will work to be attuned to the musical inclinations of the congregation as well as those we are seeking to reach and include.

The Director also supervises the Director of Children’s and Youth Choirs and other music professionals on staff and collaborates with the Director of the Marble Community Gospel Choir. The position is supervised by the Executive Minister while working closely with the Senior Minister and Associate Ministers related to worship and other programming.

Major tools for the work of the Director include Marble’s world-class pipe organ recently redesigned and voiced by Sebastian M. Glück, a Mason & Hamlin grand piano, and a Hammond B-3 Organ in the Sanctuary.

The vision for the future of Marble Collegiate Church includes an aligned focus for all ministry areas and Program Groups with the strategic directions that resulted from the 2022 Strategic Planning process. Each staff member at Marble is tasked with working to align their ministry areas with these strategic directions and build a growth and outreach plan that prioritizes these areas.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Music and Worship

• Collaborate with the Ministers in planning congregational services, including regular streaming services, to create a worship experience attuned to scriptural, liturgical, and theological themes and intentional in utilizing music from varied time periods, genres, and diverse cultural representations.
• Provide and/or arrange for appropriate musical accompaniment for all church services and other special church programs and, as required, rehearsals.
• Collaborate on funerals/memorial services, weddings, and outside group events held in the church with the Pastoral Care Coordinator, Wedding Coordinator and Events and Space Usage Manager, respectively. The Director has the right of first refusal to participate directly in these services, prioritizing those involving members of the church. Direct participation includes being available to consult on music selection, playing for these services, and coordinating performance and rehearsal schedules within the master church calendar.
• Recruit a substitute organist or pianist when unavailable to provide music for weddings, memorial services, and other special services in consultation with the Ministers.
• Plan and conduct scheduled choir rehearsals and organize rehearsals with soloists and ensembles.
• Supervise maintenance of and additions to the music library, i.e., provide materials, supplies, instruments, and other musical equipment for use in church programs.
• Effectively and efficiently administer the annual budget as designated for all music program activities, which includes both paid and volunteer musicians.
• Obtain copyright releases for selected music, as required by law, and ensure that such releases are obtained by other staff when necessary.
• Maintain and report an accurate account of organ and piano needs, including maintenance of these high-standard instruments.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Collaboration and Community Ministry

• Attend staff meetings and work cooperatively and collaboratively with the professional staff to build and nurture the church community.
• Plan programming that fits within the larger church calendar in a timeframe that allows for effective communication and vibrant staff and musicians’ partnership.
• Engage with each of the music directors and their choirs, regardless of direct leadership, to ensure a wholistic music ministry.
• Participate in events involving the whole church and, as frequently as possible, programs led by colleagues to support and promote community and to seek and demonstrate a sense of belonging.
• Create and develop musical programming that draws in the neighborhood and larger community.
• Create an intergenerational worship experience by engaging children in music, along with the Director of Children’s and Youth Choirs, offering opportunities and establishing relationships to create a sense of belonging.

Team Development and Management

• Recruit, train, develop, and supervise professional choir members, section leaders, and, when necessary, instrumentalists (keeping budget parameters firmly in mind).
• Create, maintain, and oversee paid choir member/section leader schedules. Review sign-in sheets for accuracy and submit payroll and contractor payments according to established procedures.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and commitment to the highest quality of musicality.
• Supervise the work of the Youth and Children’s Choir Director.
• Mentor and develop any staff reports using a supportive and collaborative approach.
• Identify, develop, and support volunteers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• This position requires skill and, preferably, experience in leading a large music program for a diverse urban church encompassing many distinctive styles and traditions of worship, utilizing both professional musicians and inspiring volunteer involvement.
• It is preferred that the individual possess an advanced music degree in at least one of the following areas: sacred music, organ performance, or choral conducting. However, all candidates possessing significant experience in at least one of these areas are encouraged to apply.
• The position requires strong and effective administrative, organizational and communication skills which allow for healthy collaboration with singers, instrumentalists, and staff colleagues.
• Familiarity with basic office technology (Some current programs include MS Office, Realm member database, FileMaker Pro custom music database, ADP, Zoom, Team Up, etc.) and applicable music software (i.e., Finale, Sibelius)
• The position requires a broad knowledge of musical repertoire, both sacred and secular, classical and contemporary, coming from diverse traditions.

Success Factors

• With classical training, education, and high standards, bring a love for a musical repertoire from varied church and secular genres.
• A high-level of emotional intelligence and maturity will provide grounding when ministering to a large, diverse community while working alongside colleagues with similar or very different areas of expertise.
• With the variety of gifts, talent, and skills necessary for this position, knowing how and when to ask for and obtain support for those skills and strengths that need continued development is vital.
• Keep our online community in mind and heart in program development decisions.
• Creatively network and collaborate with other choirs and musical organizations within the New York metropolitan area and beyond.

Schedule and Logistics

A standard workweek includes Sundays onsite with the rest of the schedule established in collaboration with the Executive Minister to accommodate staff meetings, rehearsals, and community-building activities. As is the nature of ministry, much flexibility is required. Staff members are encouraged to plan ahead and keep communication lines open for a healthy work/life balance.

Currently, the staff has a hybrid onsite and remote work model without designated offices. However, workspaces are available during the week as needed.

Vaccination for COVID-19 is required for Collegiate Church staff. Medical or Religious accommodations would require an official request.

Compensation: Salary range of $80,000 to $110,000 based on previous experience and growth potential, with anticipated supplemental income from weddings and non-member memorials. Competitive benefits and paid time off are included.

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and applicable multimedia.

Recruitment Process: The staff and Search Committee will begin reviewing resumes in January. The process may include screenings, multiple interviews, preparing a sample service plan based on a scripture verse or topic, and leading rehearsals and/or services. People of all genders and orientations, and members of all racial and ethnic groups, are encouraged to apply.

Marble Collegiate Church is on Fifth Avenue and 29th Street in New York City. An open and affirming community, Marble’s history dates to 1628 and has grown and progressed with New York City to develop a worldwide reputation.