St. James Parish considers music as a ministry that plays a vital role in the worship, education and pastoral care of the congregation.  The Director’s engagement and interaction with the congregation and staff is critical to the success of this valuable ministry.  The Music Director is responsible for inspiring and encouraging new and existing musical participants and leaders and drawing every person toward a closer relationship with God through worship and music.  We are an historic parish committed to meaningful involvement in the present within and beyond our walls.  We believe our steady growth in recent years presents great opportunities for the future of the music program under the direction of a visionary leader.

The Director of Music serves as organist/choirmaster and is responsible to the Rector.

Position responsibilities:

• Assist the clergy in planning worship and be responsible for selecting service music and anthems.

• Develop sacred choral programs each year to be integrated into appropriate worship occasions and/or feast days.

• Provide music for all weddings and funerals and offer counsel for such to those requesting it.  Fees are charged for weddings but not for funerals.  Honoraria for funerals may be accepted.  In the event that the organist cannot be present for a funeral due to vacation or illness, the fee for a substitute will be paid out of additional church funds.

• Direct or supervise all musical ensembles and coordinate their participation in worship.

• Provide education and training in music and liturgy to the parish in consultation with the Rector.

• Cooperate with and participate in diocesan, deanery, and other programs in the areas of music and worship in the greater Episcopal Church.

• Pursue and build collegial relationships with other local church musicians.

• Identify, encourage and recruit participants of all ages for the music program, including, but not limited to choirs.

• Provide and implement structured programs for all choirs and ensembles that motivate, educate and nurture the participants.

• Pursue interactive opportunities with St. James’ well-established youth program.

• Communicate regularly with the congregation through parish publications in a regular and timely manner.

• Act as administrator for recital series (such as Fridays at St. James).

• Assist at special services at Lebanon Chapel (Thanksgiving, Advent, Easter Eve, Fourth of July, etc.).

• Supervise the maintenance and copyright compliance of the music library, including cataloguing, purchasing and overall organization.

• Supervise the use and maintenance of Church musical instruments (organs, pianos, harpsichord, handbells, etc.).

• Maintain an awareness of new and existing music methods and materials appropriate to Anglican/Episcopal worship.

• Be competent in basic administrative and information technology, e.g. database creation and management and email, utilizing them when appropriate.

• Maintain a regular schedule of practice, study, and professional development.  The Music Director is strongly encouraged to be a member of the American Guild of Organists and is expected to adhere to the Code of Ethics established by the Guild.

• Encourage and coordinate the participation of “outside” groups at St. James (such as UNCW, Wilmington Symphony, etc.).

The Music Director’s employment is full-time, including Sundays.  The nature of a full-time position requires flexibility to meet the needs of a liturgical church.

The salary for the Music Director is within AGO guidelines.

The Music Director’s benefits will include the following periods of leave at full compensation:

1)  The normal work schedule is a five-day week.

2)  Local holidays, to be taken so as not to interfere with worship for major occasions.

3)  Annual vacation of 20 days, including four Sundays, in addition to the weekend of Diocesan Choir Retreat.  These will require a substitute organist to be paid by the church.

4)  Sick-leave.  If the organist is sick on a Sunday a substitute organist will be paid for out of the Music Budget for up to two Sundays per year.

5)  The Rector and Vestry recommend a regular day off each week for refreshment and renewal.

6)  Continuing Education is strongly encouraged and is paid for up to seven days, including one Sunday.  Continuing education shall be approved by the Rector at least 30 days in advance.  There is a $1000 a year continuing education/book allowance.  Additional time off and resources for conferences or workshops shall be arranged between the Rector and the Director of Music.  If the continuing education/book allowance is not used for a calendar year it may be rolled over to the following year.

7)  The church will be responsible for reasonable and customary moving expenses for this position.

Additional benefits:

·         Medical and life insurance shall be provided.

·         Sabbatical of two months will be available after five years of service.  All sabbatical components shall be agreed to by the Vestry, Rector, and Director of Music.

·         Pension