St George Episcopal Church is seeking a new Director of Music now that our beloved Dr. André Lash has retired, Here is the job description for the open position.
Position Title: The Director of Music and Organist/Choirmaster (Part-Time)
Reports To: The Rector
Status: Part-time (15-20 hours per week)
Location: The Villages, Florida
Start Date: Spring/Summer 2024
Overview
St. George Episcopal Church is a program-sized parish in The Villages, Florida. The
parish is committed to worshipping God in the beauty of the Episcopal/Anglican
tradition, growing in faith, serving our neighbors, and working for the renewal of the
church locally and around the world. The Director of Music and Organist/Choirmaster
will be a critical member of a dynamic team and, in conjunction with the Rector, will
direct and develop the music ministry of St. George Episcopal Church.
Please submit a cover letter and CV to Tamra Wilson Setser, Chairperson of the
Search Committee at twilsonsetser@gmail.com no later than February 1, 2024.
Position Description
* Be the Director of Music and Organist/Choir Director, and at St. George Episcopal
Church.
* Participate in weekly staff meetings.
* Coordinate music/liturgical plans for Sundays and other services with the Rector.
* Choose the prelude, hymns, service music, communion music, and postlude each
week for the worship services.
Weekly Worship Times for Organ Playing:
1. Saturday afternoon at the 5:00 PM Service. There is no choir at the Saturday
service. Music needed at the Saturday service is: prelude, hymns, service music,
communion music, and postlude. The American Flag is presented at the service.
2. Sunday mornings at the 10:00am will include: prelude, hymns, service music, choir
anthem, communion music, and postlude. Also, the handbells will play from time to
time on Saturday and Sunday. The American Flag is presented at the service.
* Some Saturday’s and Sunday’s services are supplemented with other musicians (i.e.
Strings, and Trumpet)
• Conduct weekly choir rehearsals. The choir currently meets on Wednesdays from
3:30pm-5:00pm. The choir does not rehearse during the summer.
* Handbell choir usually meets on Wednesdays. There is a Handbell Choir Director.
The Director of Music and Handbell Director will collaborate on musical pieces as
needed.
* Current choir is volunteer, though experienced. The choir in the summer does not
formally sing. An informal choir helps lead the congregation during the summer.
• With the Rector, explore the possibility of Evensong (frequency TBD).
• Plan, coordinate, and lead music and choir for special services: Christmas Eve, Mardi
Gras Service, Holy Week, Easter Vigil, Easter, and other holy days as needed or
requested by the Rector.
• Play at funerals as requested by Rector and families.
• Look to nurture and grow the choir by inviting and attracting new members.
• Assist in managing the music budget.
* Be a participant member of the St. George Concert Committee.
* Complete copyright Information for the music.
• Other duties as assigned by the Rector.
Church Location and Phone
1250 Paige Place
Lady Lake, FL 32159
Ph. 352-750-1010
Qualifications • A true and lively faith in Jesus Christ.
* The applicant must be experienced and highly skilled at the organ and piano and
must be an excellent sight reader. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate their organ
and piano skills before the Search Committee.
• Music degree, or related musical experience with church music is preferred.
• Experience as an organist, worship service player, and choral conductor within
Episcopal liturgical and musical traditions.
• Excellent and proficient accompanying, improvisation, sight-reading, and piano
transposition skills.
• Organized administrative skills would be an advantage in this position.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• The right candidate will be patient though not afraid to take control and be a leader of
St. George Music Program.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
• Part-time position expected to average 15-20 hours per week.
* Good time management will be important depending on the amount of personal
practice time necessary.
*Certain liturgical seasons may be more demanding (i.e. Christmas, Holy Week)
* Required non-Sunday services include: Christmas Eve (two services), Christmas
Day, Funerals and other services as requested by the Rector. This would include
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and other possible Holy Days.
• Position reports directly to the Rector or in the absence of a Rector to the Interim
Priest or Senior Warden.
• Director of Music and Organist/Choirmaster will participate in an annual review each
spring with the Rector and Senior Warden to review the year, set goals, provide and
receive constructive feedback.
• Director of Music and Organist/Choirmaster will schedule a supply organist to cover
when they are unavailable.
Compensation
• Salary to be negotiated based on qualifications and experience
• Three (3) weeks of paid vacation per year, and not carried over to the following year
or paid out
• Paid One (1) week of time off for professional development
• Five (5) sick leave days
• Other time off may be negotiated with the Rector
Organ at St. George Episcopal Church
Organ: 3 Manuel Hybrid/Allen Organ.
Responsible for retaining quality maintenance of the organ.
For additional information and to apply for this position, please call Fr. Jim Taylor at 352-750-1010 or email him at revjimtaylor@gmail.com.