Children’s Choir Director, First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

First Universalist, a growing, vibrant, liberal religious community with a large congregation and 150-year history, is seeking a children’s choral director.  This position requires 4 hours per week (1 – 3 hours on Sunday, and 1-2 hours prep time each week) during the church year (September – First Sunday in June). The pay is $3500.00.

A successful candidate will be an educator, able to coach vocal technique, have a good knowledge of children’s voices, and generally raise participants’ musicianship; will understand the choir as a community, balancing the work of rehearsing with the fun of being together. She or he will exhibit the leadership and interpersonal skills necessary not only to collaborate with the staff, but also to produce a strong children’s ensemble in limited rehearsal time — with singers whose cultural backgrounds and experience cover a wide range. In addition, he or she will be comfortable with a wide range of musical genres and children’s music repertoire, willing to work collaboratively with others to shape the music program and coordinate it with worship themes, and open to — and respectful of — the religious traditions of Unitarian Universalism.

POSITION TITLE:  Children’s Choir Director

POSITION OVERVIEW:  Rehearse and conduct children’s choir, 1^st ­– 5^th grades, with approximately 30 members.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:  Provide children’s choral music performances for Sunday and special services, including December holiday performances.

HOURS: Approximately 4 hrs/week

SALARY: $3,500/9 months

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Conduct children’s choir for Sunday Services and special performances.
• Hold weekly rehearsals on Sunday morning at 10:30AM.
• Play piano and/or guitar.
• Identify appropriate children’s songs and choral repertoire to coordinate with monthly worship themes and Sunday topics.
• Help to coordinate and conduct the choir in worship services approximately 5 to 6 times during the year on Sharing Sundays (Services attended by children and adults)
• Meet with supervisor as needed, approximately 1 time per month.

REPORTING/COORDINATING RELATIONSHIPS:

• Supervisor is Minister of Worship Arts
• Will be evaluated yearly

Position REQUIREMENTS:

• Education in choral conducting and/or strong background in choir performance
• Expertise in working with children and young voices
• Kid magnet
• Professional, positive attitude
• Knowledge in a wide range of musical styles and singing traditions
• Strong skills for working with volunteers
• Strong skill for with children with a wide range of backgrounds and musical knowledge
• Curiosity and openness to the Unitarian Universalist heritage and traditions
• Willingness to experiment with a variety of choral music.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• DUE DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:  JULY 11, 2014
• Please submit a resume and a letter of interest.
• YouTube clips or CDs samples of your work encouraged, but not required
• Email applications and clips to channingmckinley@gmail.com
• Channing McKinley is contact person for the Children’s Choir Hiring Committee. She can be reached at the email listed above.

People of Color are strongly encouraged to apply.