Bloor Street United Church is looking for a creative, flexible music director to cover a four-month sabbatical from September through December 2022. There is a possibility that this might be extended beyond the four-month period.
BSUC is an outward-looking congregation, and we wish to support an open-minded approach to worship with a variety of musical styles and approaches. We have a core repertoire for choral and organ/piano in the United Church tradition, along with a variety of instruments and styles, including jazz, folk, and some more light-hearted and non-Western elements. The congregation uses primarily Voices United and More Voices hymnals. We are hoping to institute a new practice of non-traditional liturgy and music one Sunday a month.
During the renovation of our building at 300 Bloor St. W., we are sharing worship with St. Matthew’s United Church, 729 St. Clair W. That gives us an enthusiastic and capable 20-voice combined choir, including 5 paid soloists/section leads, a grand piano and a Woodstock 3-manual pipe organ. Our music director works in equal partnership with St. Matthew’s music director who is an experienced keyboardist and choir director. The balance in the partnership will depend on the skills and enthusiasms of the new candidate chosen for the BSUC role.
This is a part-time position at an average of 12 hours per week, and will follow the RCCO salary scale. It will involve directing and accompanying the choir, and providing additional music in the worship services. Choir rehearsal is currently Tuesday evening and Sunday before the 10:30 a.m. service.
More information on our music program is available on our website along with recordings of past services.
Bloor Street United church is an affirming congregation and an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from members of equity seeking groups. If you require accommodation for a disability in the application process, please add this information to your cover letter.
Please send your resumé and cover letter no later than July 20, 2022 to:
jobopportunities@bloorstreetunited.org
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. General
Provide leadership in providing a broad-based music programme that will:
• involve the congregation as an integral part of their worship experience.
• encourage the sharing of the congregation’s musical gifts
• reflect the diversity of the congregation and the world
• include the occasional use of professional musicians when appropriate
• co-ordinate with the use of other art forms (e.g. drama, dance)
• be a collaborative and supportive partner in the combined music and ministerial teams
• approach duties with tact, warmth and a sense of humour
2. Meetings
• meet weekly with the ministerial team for worship planning
3. Music Selection
• select or arrange for the provision of music that is theologically, liturgically and stylistically
appropriate to the theme of the service, and which is inclusive of all ages and a diversity of
communities over the course of a year, in consultation with the ministerial team
• select and purchase new music when needed for service requirements
4. Bulletin Preparation
• prepare a list of hymns, anthems and verses to communication coordinator by Tuesday for the order of service
5. Music Preparation and Presentation
• joint lead of the Choir at their mid-week and pre-service rehearsals
• jointly lead the choir during regular Sunday services as well as special services (e.g. Christmas Eve)
• engage professional service musicians when appropriate
• prepare and provide instrumental music for services: preludes, postludes, hymns, anthem
accompaniments, etc.
• prepare original musical arrangements and compositions for the services when appropriate
• coordinate with the service tech team on Sundays to ensure an effective online and in-person
musical experience
7. Administration
• coordinate the organization and maintenance of the choir library with the choir librarian
• coordinate the roles of the soloists/section-leads
8. Accountability
• be responsible to Council (i.e. the Ministry and Personnel Committee) through the Music SubCommittee.