All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto, Palo Alto, seeks a Music Director to oversee and provide a music program in support of Sunday 10 am worship services, including Advent and Holy Week, building on the strong musical tradition of our parish. We seek an individual to direct the choir and play the organ, but we would consider separating these roles. The Music Director is a half-time position, approximately 20 hours/week, and the salary is $43,000. This is a non-exempt, salaried position, with part-time health benefits and paid vacation; salary is commensurate with education and experience.
The Music Director will participate in worship planning, conduct and lead the choir, and provide musical expertise for all aspects of parish life. We have a dedicated volunteer choir of 15, with 2 paid section leaders. Our congregation loves to sing and participate in music and liturgy. Music is an integral part of our church experience and is supported by the beautiful acoustics of our sanctuary. The sanctuary houses a 22-rank mechanical action organ (Flentrop 1967), a positiv organ, and a grand piano.
We seek to broaden our outreach to the local community, and there may be opportunities to expand and enhance our music program as part of these efforts.
We seek an individual with:
- A demonstrated record of high-quality music performance and leadership
- Experience directing a volunteer choir
- A desire to incorporate inspired sacred music from different eras, traditions, and cultures
- A thorough understanding of Episcopal/Anglican liturgical and musical traditions is desirable
Weekly Duties:
- Collaborate with clergy to select music appropriate to the liturgical season
- Lead 90-minute choir rehearsals and foster choir fellowship (Thursday 7-8:30 pm); September through May
- Lead music for parish worship and direct choir for Sunday 10 am service
- Maintain choir room and music library; oversee upkeep of keyboard instruments
Other Duties:
- Attend seasonal music planning meetings for Sunday Eucharist, and for special liturgical services in Advent, Christmas, and Holy Week
- Engage and collaborate with other musicians involved in All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto worship
- Arrange for substitute musicians, as needed; first right of refusal for weddings and funerals
- Serve as initial point of contact for outside performers to present concerts in the sanctuary
Experience needed: a minimum of 3 years as a church musician with a Bachelor’s degree in music; a Master’s degree in Music is preferred.
This is a non-exempt, salaried position, with part-time health benefits and paid vacation; salary is commensurate with education and experience. The salary for this half-time position is $43,000.
To Apply: Email a cover letter; resume; evidence of conducting experience (online links preferred; and the names of 3 professional references to allsaints125@gmail.com.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Semi-finalists will be invited to an evening choir audition.
All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto Church celebrates diversity, respects the dignity of every human being, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.