Open Positions

Seeking: Director of Music

New Dorp Moravian Church
2205 Richmond Rd, Staten Island, NY 10306
Pastor@NewDorpMoravian.org

The Director of Music (“DM”) will be responsible for carrying out the music program of the congregation, including, but not limited to:

Accompany congregational singing of hymns and liturgies.
Provide additional appropriate Service Music (Prelude, Postlude, Offertory).
Coordinating the choral portions of the worship celebrations of the congregation.
The DM is an ex-officio member of the Worship Committee.

Play organ/piano accompaniment for all worship services. Proficiency in one or more other instruments is a plus. A variety of styles/genres might be encountered.
Direct the Chancel Choir. (Currently a group of about six persons)
Oversee the Hand Bell Choir (not recently active, but hope to revive).
Coordinate leadership for Children/Youth Choirs (mostly seasonally active).
Assist with occasional Sunday School music presentations in worship.
Lead and encourage congregational participation in selected hymns.
Assist in securing Special Music/Musicians as approved by the Board of Elders.
Recruit choir members and musicians from within or outside the congregation.

Participate in combined Staten Island Moravian Church services (Approx. 2 or 3 per year).
Participate in Special Services such as:

Music to be selected in consultation with the Pastor(s) leading the service.
Any musical activity (choirs, vocalists, special music, processional, recessional, etc.) shall be discussed with the Pastor(s) prior to implementation.
All use of material (live, online, recorded) must be in compliance with copyright law and the appropriate use of copyrighted material will be reported to the appropriate licensor in a timely fashion.
Proper citations and notations must be provided in a timely fashion to the person(s) preparing the worship materials (bulletins, slide presentations, etc.).

Attend Continuing Education workshops, seminars, and/or conferences to enhance the musical program of the church, in consultation with the Board of Elders.

Should be at the Church at least 30 minutes prior to the start of a service, more if a choir will be performing and requires set-up, warm-up and/or rehearsal.
Present expense sheet to the Finance Committee with an allocation request for the next year’s budget no later than September 1st.
Secure a qualified guest musician for worship services while away on vacation.
Oversee and maintain an orderly music library, which includes the purchasing of new music, in consultation with the Board of Elders, and assure that there are sufficient original copies of performance music for all choir members and musicians.
Oversee and schedule maintenance of all musical instruments.
Maintain an orderly work and performance area. The chancel, organ and pianos should be kept free of paperwork, music stands and unnecessary clutter.
Expense sheets must be submitted monthly with proper receipts.

A reasonable level of competence is expected of all church musicians and vocalists.
All participants are expected to strive for excellence in performance.

It is not assumed that the DM will play for weddings and funerals.
When a musician from the congregation is requested, the DM will have “the right of first refusal” to accompany these services.
Honorariums for these services will be the obligation of the requesting individual(s).

Hours: This is a part-time, salaried position. Depending on the skill level of the person in the position and the seasonal needs, a person might expect to invest ten or more hours per week
Vacation: – 4 weeks.
There will be no carry over. The Board of Elders will approve vacation time at the meeting which is held one month prior to the month the vacation is requested. (A week will be defined as equal to one Sunday and the corresponding Choir rehearsal day).
In case of illness or emergency situations, the DM shall contact the Pastor(s) overseeing this area of service. (One week of sick leave is compensated after the end of the probationary period.)
Exemption from accompaniment of Special Services should be discussed with the Pastor(s) and is subject to approval from the Board of Elders.
Annual Dues up to $80 to the American Guild of Organists (if the DM is a member of the guild).
The salary is reviewed annually in preparation for the new Church Budget.
Starting salary is negotiable. We expect to exceed $25,000 annually for a well-qualified person.

This position is appointed by the Elders, based upon recommendations from the Administration Committee.
The Board of Elders, by way of the Pastor(s), shall function as the immediate supervisor.
There will be monthly meetings with the Pastor(s).
There will be an initial 6-month probationary period. There will also be an annual performance evaluation conducted by the Board of Elders, or a Committee designated by the Board of Elders.
A background check is required of all employees and volunteers who interact with minors and vulnerable adults.

Note: All paid Church positions are subject to the guidance of the Joint Board.

Except in the case of gross negligence or dereliction of duty, either party shall give 30 days notice, in writing, to the other that this agreement is being terminated.