Music Director

St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Smiths Falls, is looking to appoint a new Music Director.

Summary

The successful candidate will be expected to: lead choral and congregational singing; play the organ at congregational services; support the contemporary music group; and work with the Incumbent to plan weekly worship, major religious festivals, ecumenical services, weddings, and funerals.This position will be based on a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal based on organizational requirements.

Hours:negotiable (expected to be approximately 10 hours per week, including practice time, rehearsals, music selection, meetings, and other planning requirements. Travel time to or from St. John’s will not be compensated.)

Compensation:To be negotiated between the successful applicant and St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, based on RCCO scales

Reports to:Incumbent and Churchwardens.

Start Date:earliest date of availability or by March 01, 2024.

Qualifications

Proficiency in various styles of music for organ (piano/keyboard proficiency considered assets)
Experience in choral music leadership (a broad range of musical knowledge and ability considered assets)
Familiarity with the Christian tradition and Scriptures, and a commitment to supporting the Church in worship (knowledge of the Anglican liturgy and the use of the Revised Common Lectionary considered assets)
Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone with strong leadership skills, including the ability to teach and encourage volunteer musicians and choristers with a wide range of musical competency and training. The successful candidate should also have strong interpersonal skills and be able to build a team. Openness to suggestions, recommendations, and guidance (where appropriate) is anticipated. We are looking for someone to help us grow in musical worship and leadership.

Responsibilities of the Director of Music

The Music Director at St. John’s heads the parish’s music program. Emphasis is on music for Sunday worship, major festivals and other liturgical events and celebrations (especially during Advent and Holy Week). From time to time, the Music Director is likely to be asked to perform music for special events including weddings and funerals.

In addition, the Music Director:

• consults with the Incumbent to plan and implement the worship music and selects pieces to reflect a variety of styles, genres, and instrumentation.
• facilitates the formation of a music leadership team to develop and expand the music ministry at St. John’s.
• recruits musicians, choral and instrumental, for routine worship and special occasions.
• instructs and directs choir members and supports/oversees “Beginnings” (a contemporary music group made up of volunteers from the congregation).
• fosters collaboration between existing musicians (choir/Beginnings).
• in conjunction with the Incumbent and Wardens, establishes a music budget and ensures that expenditures are appropriate.
• oversees purchasing, necessary licensing, and archiving of music (music library).
• coordinates the maintenance/repair of all instruments.
• encourages congregational singing and musical participation with special efforts to engage our children and youth.

Music at St. Johnthe Evangelist

St. John’s follows the liturgical year with music chosen to compliment the Christian calendar. There is special attention to the Advent-Christmas and Lent-Easter cycles. Music for worship at St. John’s is anchored in the Anglican choral tradition of hymns and occasional anthems and incorporates a range of contemporary compositions and styles. The organ and choir are situated in the chancel.

St. John’s choir is a small but dedicated group actively seeking to bolster its membership. Leading congregational singing is its primary function although it is available for funerals and other special services, as required. The choir embraces the opportunity to expand its repertoire. Weekly practice is the norm.

Beginnings is our contemporary church band consisting of 7 singers, plus a keyboardist and guitarist. It rehearses 3 Mondays a month from Labour Day to the end of June. The band provides worship support from the north transept.

St John’s has a:

• well-maintained pipe organ;
• Yamaha Portable GrandDGX-640 keyboard; and
• complement of audio equipment to enable appropriate mixing and amplification of instruments and voices.

Sunday Worship Services at St. John the Evangelist

Sunday, 10 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

There is a weekly, sung Eucharist with choir, and supplemental support by Beginnings. The liturgy is drawn from theThe Book of Alternative Servicesand includes hymns from the Anglican hymnal,Common Praise(1998) andSt. John’s Sings(2008), a parish hymnal. Additional choir and Beginnings pieces are supported by copyright licence. Typically, this service includes liturgical music, hymns, and a sung/chanted psalm. Occasionally, a choir anthem will be performed. The organist plays all music apart from selections provided by Beginnings.

During summer months, the choir continues to support the 10 a.m. Eucharist. Beginnings, however, breaks at the end of June and resumes following Labour Day.

Sunday, 8 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

This service uses the traditional liturgy fromThe Book of Alternative Services.The readings and homily are the same as those occurring at the 10 a.m. service. There is, however, no music.

Additional services occur throughout the year. These include but are not limited to: Service of Lessons and Carols; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; Ash Wednesday; and the liturgies of Holy Week. The organist, choir and Beginnings participate variously.

About St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Smiths Falls, ON

St. John the Evangelist is situated at the junction of George and Main Streets in Smiths Falls. The St. John’s family has been worshipping on its current site since 1849.

Guided by our baptismal covenant, we are a community of people who strive to follow Jesus in fellowship, prayer and the breaking of bread in the Eucharist. We are called to proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Jesus Christ, seeking to serve Christ in all persons, striving for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being and working to safeguard the earth and the environment.

While all applications will be gratefully received, only individuals selected for further consideration will be contacted. The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa reserves the right to contact individuals and to arrange for interviews at any time.

Our organization is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please advise during the search process if you require accommodation by contacting us at hr@ottawa.anglican.ca