Page1 Director of Music Ministry Position and Organist and Instrumental Accompanist Position Available ~ January 2018 Description: Saint Gabriel the Archangel Episcopal Church, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, is seeking to hire two part-time music ministry positions: Director of Music Ministry, and Organist and Instrumental Accompanist. The organist will serve under the direction of the Director of Music Ministry and the Rector. Historically we have had these positions combined, and are open to continuing that tradition should we find a qualified leader, but we are creating two separate positions, recognizing that the two arenas of choral and organ are different. Supporting our overall purpose and goal: We are seeking candidates who will: provide musical support through instrumental and vocal music that supports Saint Gabriel s vision of Proclaiming the Good News of God s Grace and Life-changing Love for All support the worship values held by the Rector provide congregational leadership in all dimensions of sacred (traditional and current-day music), and who are led by the Holy Spirit, active in a life of prayer, and scripturally-grounded and who continually seek to express the majesty of God, and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, in liturgy and music Ministry Setting: We are a parish of 210 households, traditional in liturgical style, gospel-based in ministry and evangelical in leadership, seeking to solidify our worship, fellowship, discipleship, servanthood, and new member ministries. (Please visit our website: www.stgabriels.org to view our overall mission and ministry.) We are reaching out to the south Denver suburbs, attempting to attract families and neighbors. We are blessed with modern, comfortable facilities drawing from a southwestern contemporary architectural style. Our nave seats 238, with a two manual Allen MDE-45 organ, keyboard, hand-bells, and choir loft in the balcony of the worship space. The organ speaks from above the altar as well as antiphonally from the rear of the nave. The building acoustics are outstanding for choral and instrumental music. We have recently completed a capital improvement campaign and plan to replace the organ with a modern instrument. This will likely happen within the next two years.
Page2 We have one adult choir of 16 members, but always seek to grow. The choral library has over 300 choral works including all the major sacred classical composers from the 1600s to today. The entire library is organized in a choral library organized with a detailed database using Microsoft Access. We have a dedicated choir rehearsal space, separate from the choir loft, that accommodates up to 30 singers, and an inventory of 30 choir cassocks and surplices. Our Sunday liturgies consist of an 8:00 a.m. Rite 1 Eucharist with music during the offertory, communion, and a final hymn; and a 10:30 Rite 2 Eucharist with hymns, anthems, and service music. All services follow the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, 1979. During the summer months, we offer a Sunday evening contemplativecontemporary service where the musical leadership has been voice and piano with congregational singing emphasized, utilizing resources from the wider Anglican Communion and church. We seek to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, joyfully, reverently, and traditional in theology and hymnody, but seeking to widen our understanding and appreciation of current high-quality choral and congregational music including using more recent compositions, continuing the use of the organ but adding other instruments from time to time as would be available and appropriate. (At this time, we are not seeking to create a contemporary worship team with a praise band setting of mic ed instruments and singers.) Personal Character Traits for Both Positions: We are seeking individuals of integrity and strength of personal character who will bring their musical gifts and talents, passion for parish work, ability and eagerness to work with volunteers, including children and youth, and the desire to glorify God in doctrine, vocation, and every area of personal life. They must have a lively personal faith and embrace the gospel of Jesus transforming grace available through his cross and resurrection.
Page3 Director of Music Ministry Position Qualifications: Competent keyboard skills with experience in leading a choir and, in cooperation and under the oversight of the Rector, choosing music to fit the capabilities of the members. Knowledge of proper vocal production. Willingness to provide a blend of classical and convergent Christian music. Ability to build a music program and increase participation of both adults and children. Experience with the liturgical tradition or an openness to training in our tradition. He or she will serve at the discretion of the Rector. Additionally: A thorough understanding of the principles of Anglican liturgy, including familiarity with Church documents on music and liturgy, particularly those resources supported by General Convention of the Episcopal Church Ability, through teaching and modelling, to develop the musical gifts of the congregation Ability to recruit and develop members of choirs for adults, children and youth Knowledge of the repertoire of sacred music through the centuries Understanding of diverse musical styles or liturgical music, including chant, polyphony, traditional and contemporary hymnody Ability to serve as a substitute organist/pianist, or, if unavailable, to assist in recruiting a substitute organist/pianist Responsibilities and Duties for Director of Music Ministry Weekly: Provide music for the 8:00 am and 10:30 am Sunday services (with a combined summer service at 9:00 am), summer Sunday 6 pm service, and availability for additional liturgies as scheduled (weddings, funerals, holy days, etc.). Be open to discussion, flexible and adaptive around how the music ministry might expand to changing circumstances See one s role as director primarily to enhance the congregation s privilege of worshiping God Select the instrumental and choral works used in worship, and in collaboration with the Rector, also select the congregational hymns and service music Lead weekly choir rehearsal for adult choir, currently meets Thursday evenings from 7-8 pm. Develop and schedule cantors for special liturgies o Supervise the instrumental accompanist o Shepherd teams in their faith
Page4 Administrative: Participate in worship planning meetings with the Rector and Organist/Instrumental Accompanist Provide timely communications to parish administrator Prepare and oversee an annual budget for the Music Ministry, including: o Section leaders and payroll o Instrumentalists Participate in Worship Committee meetings Maintain appropriate licenses for all music used at Saint Gabriel Ensure the proper maintenance and operation of the organ, piano, other musical instruments, and the sound system Longer-range Projects: Encourage, either through direct oversight or through supervision, a children s music program o Rehearse with the parish children for special events as requested Actively recruit and build participation in the adult choir Seek to establish a volunteer bell choir using the newly acquired hand-bells. This could be for hymn descants, bell choir instrumental works, as well as accompanying the choir as desired Temporalities: This is a 12-15 hour per week salaried position with four weeks per annum paid vacation Status of Director of Music Ministry position: Open Contact: The Rev. Christopher S. Ditzenberger Cditzenberger@stgabriels.org; 303-771-1063 www.stgabriels.org
Page5 Organist and Instrumental Accompanist Position Qualifications: Competent organist with experience leading Episcopal musical worship from the organ console. The position requires performance of traditional classical organ works from both the European and American traditions. He or she will appreciate a broad spectrum of musical styles within a general range of traditional liturgical music styles. The immediate supervisor will be the Director of Music Ministry and will always serve at the discretion of the Rector. Additionally, the following are noted: High competence and expertise as an organist Knowledge of and fluency in vocal music High administrative skill set o Organization o Follow-up o Execution Excellent people skills o Communication o Ability to work collaboratively Grace-filled ability to be kind, fair, clear, yet firm when necessary Computer literate Responsibilities and Duties: Provide organ music for the 8:00 am and 10:30 am Sunday services (with a combined summer service at 9:00 am), summer Sunday 6 pm service, and availability for additional liturgies as scheduled (weddings, funerals, holy days, etc.). Be open to discussion, flexible and adaptive around how the music ministry might expand to changing circumstances. Attend choir rehearsals Prepare preludes and postludes and employ alternate harmonizations and key changes, as appropriate, with the hymns Support Director of Music Ministry in hymn selection under the supervision of the Rector Accompany the choral music and lead the congregation in the sung service music Maintain music library Communications o Proofread and copy edit bulletins o Provide timely, creative communications to parish administrator Assist with vocal training
Page6 Assist Director of Music Ministry with choir and other musical group supervision Assist with other instrumental music Available for additional liturgies, as scheduled (weddings, funerals, holy days, etc.) Temporalities: This is a 10-hour per week salaried position with four weeks per annum paid vacation. Status of Organist and Instrumental Accompanist position: Open Contact: The Rev. Christopher S. Ditzenberger Cditzenberger@stgabriels.org; 303-771-1063 www.stgabriels.org Updated: January 2018