Parish Choir Director

The Parish Choir Director will creatively oversee the music ministry at the Episcopal Parish in St. Clement in Honolulu.

In many respects, the person in this position we seek will be the creative face of the Episcopal Parish of St. Clement music ministry. They must possess the expertise to create welcoming and engaging musical experiences for the congregation and greater community, especially within the ethos of the Episcopal Church in Hawai’i. The person in this position should be creative, assertive, and passionate about music. The Parish Choir Director should be able to interpret various styles and genres of music, especially Hawaiian Christian music, and demonstrate kindness, exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

The person in this position is expected to come to the job with well-developed creative and communication skills in welcoming and helping a volunteer choir.

While much of the Parish Choir Director's work is done independently of the other staff, the person in this position is part of a team that serves the congregation and the ministries of St. Clement and must be able to work well with other staff, volunteers, committee leaders, and the public. Under the Canons of The Episcopal Church, the Parish Choir Director also understands that the priest has the final say with all and any music sections. Nevertheless, there are specific job descriptions for each staff member, yet it is a team atmosphere that works collectively to create an efficient and cohesive environment for all who interact and worship at St. Clement.

The person in this position should become familiar with the committees and ministries of St. Clement and the authorized hymnals of The Episcopal Church and Hawaiian sacred music, including, but not limited to, etc.

Attendance is required weekly with the priest (phone or in person), practices, and worship services.

They will be supervised and supported by the Priest-in-Charge.

About 6 to 8 hours a week are required for meeting with the priest, choir practice, and worship services.

Compensation starts at $210 per practice and service and depends upon experience. Weeks with more than one service will be paid according to each practice and service.

A Condition of Employment is that they must satisfactorily pass a criminal background check, complete SafeChurch Training, and prove they are legally allowed to work in the United States.

Specific duties include (but are not limited to):

• Timely planning music along with the priest for the choir and other soloist at the 9 AM service
• Rehearsing with the choir and soloists on a weekday practice and the hour before worship
• Directing choir at 9:30 AM service
• Welcoming, recruiting, and managing new choir members.
• Providing the necessary guidance and direction during choir rehearsals to assist choir members in achieving the correct tone, pitch, rhythm, tempo, and harmony.
• Recruiting and organizing special music for services.
• Coordinating for special services such as Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Great Vigil of Easter, Easter Day, Pentecost, etc.
• Worship planning with the priest, including helping select hymns and special music for services.
• Leading hymns on Sundays or recruiting hymn leaders for services.
• Organizing music, recruiting musicians, and rehearsing for occasional mid-week services
• Recruiting, resourcing, and coordinating with special musicians for choir accompaniment.
• Coordinating with the pianist/organist
• Managing choral library
• Managing payment details for special musicians and substitutes
• Assisting in managing the choir budget and requesting funds from the budget

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in music, music education, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Experience working as a Choir Director, but we are willing to train.
• Ability to interpret various styles of music.
• Detail oriented.
• Organized and able to multitask.
• Willingness to go above and beyond to accomplish job duties.
• Strong sense of ethics

Work location is in person in Makiki, Honolulu, Hawai’i.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $210.00 per day

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Are you familiar with Hawaiian sacred or Christian music?
• Can you play an instrument?
• Have you led a choir before (secular or religious)? If so, how many years?
• Do you have a B.A. or higher degree in Music?
• Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

Experience:

• Vocalist/Soloist: 3 years (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Honolulu, HI 96822 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $210