April 1, 2022

DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church in Naperville, IL, is hiring a Music Director to join our staff team as soon as possible. This is a contract position through May 31, 2023 and is renewable thereafter. This is a part-time position, up to 20 hours per week from August through May, and 10-15 hours per week in June and July.

Position Summary:
The role of the Music Director is to enhance the worship experience of the congregation and help build community at DuPage UU Church through music. The Music Director is supervised by the minister and supervises the pianist. The Music Director works closely with the minister, church staff, the Music Team, and volunteer musicians (choral and instrumental).

We seek a creative leader with strong musical and interpersonal skills, who can work with congregants with a broad range of musical talents (from professional level to “non-musicians”).

The Music Director is responsible for planning music for weekly services and other church events, directing the church choir, and organizing and leading small ensembles when requested.

The Music Director is expected to be familiar with and draw from a variety of musical sources congruent with the values of liberal religion, including classical, traditional, contemporary, and world music. The Music Director fosters cultural appreciation rather than cultural appropriation.

We have recently pivoted from entirely online Sunday services to a dual-platform (live and live-stream via YouTube) approach. The Church Choir will move towards in-person rehearsals as circumstances allow in our local community and the reopening protocols determined by Church leadership. The Music Director will work with the Minister and Music Team to creatively develop a music program and lead the Choir during this period of continued transition and opportunity.

Congregational Description:
DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church welcomes all as we gather as an inclusive community to grow in character, mind and spirit and to transform the world toward fairness, love and compassion. For more information about the congregation and its programs, see dupageuuchurch.org.

We have approximately 250 adult members and approximately 60 children and youth. Our Sunday services are vital to the life of the congregation, and music is an essential aspect of our worship. People of all ages and abilities (musical, intellectual, physical) within the congregation value music for its spiritual nourishment and enrichment. The Church Choir is an enthusiastic group of singers of a wide range of skill levels and is open to all without audition. Over the last few years, the Choir has consisted of 20-30 members, and over the next year a priority will be to re-energize the Choir.

We have an acoustic grand piano an electronic keyboard, hand chimes, a drum set, and a cajón.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Select choral music appropriate to service topic and support the minister in hymn selection.

Lead choir rehearsals one evening per week and before Sunday services when the choir is singing (once-twice per month August-May), and as arranged for special services.

Teach choral parts and inspire singers who have differing skill levels. Demonstrate vocal technique and communicate good singing habits, especially for aging voices. Communicate effectively through gesture and verbalization what is needed to create sensitive choral performances.

Supervise and communicate with staff pianist. Advise pianist about service music selections as needed.

Coordinate volunteer and professional guest musicians at Sunday services and other special services and events. Create/direct small specialty ensembles (vocal and/or instrumental)

Maintain a list of musicians (congregant volunteer and outside professional) for additional music needs.

Recruit choir members, in collaboration with the Music Team.

Recruit and support musicians of all ages from the congregation. Encourage musical performances by children and youth.

Write Annual Music Program report.

Determine music program needs, purchase supplies, and track expenditures. Maintain and enlarge the choral library. Oversee piano maintenance, manage and maintain supplies.

Understand and handle “fair use” and copyright matters for music performed.

Produce at least one predominantly music service per church year, in collaboration with the minister and with assistance from the Music Team.

Provide administrative support to the music program (publish and update schedule, send emails, etc.).

Update the Worship Calendar with musical selections.

Meet weekly with the Minister in person or via video conferencing.

Participate in monthly Music Team meetings, Sunday Service Team meetings, and occasional Staff Meetings.

Engage in professional development opportunities as applicable to the position of Music Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Competence in singing performance and keyboard
• Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, communication, and leadership and management skills
• Proficiency with computer and online technologies including video conferencing (e.g. Zoom), slide show production, and use of YouTube and other video hosting sites
• Experience performing with community or church music programs, including choral direction as well as working with professional and/or amateur musicians
• Bachelor’s degree in music and/or equivalent work experience in choral music

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Salary range $22.00 – $25.00 per hour depending on experience. Some benefits are available.

HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, please send the following items to minister@dupageuuchurch.org with the subject “Music Director”:

• Cover letter explaining your interest in the position, and relevant skills and experience
• Resume
• Three references from people who know your work, including at least one for choral direction
• 2-3 musical samples (e.g. performance recordings, music videos, etc.)

A satisfactory background check will be required.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community and strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities, people of color, and those who identify as LGBTQ.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.