Julia Edwards

FIRST CONGREGATONAL CHURCH
MINISTER OF MUSIC AD

The First Congregational Church of Scarborough was founded in 1728. We are
associated with the United Church of Christ. Our present Sanctuary was built in

1892. It has old wooden pews and was built with a classical wood interior which
      helps give a fine acoustical advantage. The Church seats 150 people. It is one of
      the oldest traditional New England Churches in Maine. The Congregation leans
      toward Classical music and traditional Hymns, though it is receptive to other kinds
      of music.
      The Minister of Music is a part-time, salaried position of 10-15 hours per week.
      The candidate must have a sense of calling to work with the Music Ministry and to
      endeavor to bring excellence to the Church’s worship of God. This person reports
      directly to the Pastor and works in collaboration with the Pastor and the Music
      Committee.
      We have an active adult Choir of 7-9 people, who sing in the Sunday morning
      Worship Service for the Academic Year. Our Handbell Choir comes together for
      special Church celebrations, for example, Christmas and Easter. Our organ is a
      two manual Austin Pipe Organ, built in 1979 in Hartford, CT.
      We are a non-discriminatory Church and all applicants are welcome.

Personal and Professional Qualifications:

1. Music Education or at least two years of experience directing congregational
   worship and choral groups in Church worship settings, or similar experience.
2. Proficient keyboard skills, including piano and organ.
3. Possess good people skills and organizational skills.
4. Be a motivated, self-starter.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Provide organ and piano music at all regularly scheduled Sunday services.
2. Select appropriate music for each service, including choral, organ and piano
   music. The Pastor selects the Hymns.
3. Provide music for up to five (5) additional services during the year
   (dependent on Church calendar). This may include Christmas Eve (2 services
   possible), Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and up to one additional.
4. Direct and be responsible for the leadership of the Senior Choir at all
   regularly scheduled Sunday morning services during the months of
   September to June (start and dates determined by the Church calendar),
   except the Sundays immediately following Christmas and Easter. In the
   event of unplanned absences, the Minister of Music is responsible for
   providing a substitute, paid for by the Church.
5. Rehearse twice weekly as needed with the Senior Choir from September to
   June. Also responsible for the Handbell Choir and its Rehearsals when
   needed.
6. Together with the Music Committee of the Ministry of Worship and Spiritual
   Care, arrange for instrumentalists and/or vocalists for the two Sundays that
   the Choir is not singing following Christmas and Easter, as well as during the
   months of June, July and August.
7. Provide and coordinate music at all special services, including Weddings and
   Funerals held within the Church if requested. (Fees paid by the families.) The
   services of other Organists may be used only with the permission of the
   Minister of Music.
8. Manage the Music Budget and be responsible for the purchase of all
   necessary music and music supplies.
9. Be responsible for the use, condition, and scheduled maintenance needs of
   the Church’s musical equipment including the organ and piano. The Church
   shall provide funds for the proper care of these instruments in the Music
   Budget.
10. Attend meetings of the Ministry of Worship and Spiritual Care and Music
    Committee as requested.
11. Write the yearly Music Summary for the Annual Report.

Salary and Benefits:

1. Salary in a range of $20,000-$24,000, commensurate with experience and
   duties performed.
2. Twelve (12) Paid Time Off (PTO) days during the year (maximum of 8
   Sundays).
3. Reimbursement for professional expenses, negotiated annually, such as:
   attendance at Church Music Conferences, workshops, other forms of
   continuing Education and AGO Professional dues.

Contact Information: Please submit resume and letter of interest to

Tel: (207) 883-2312

February 24, 2025

Please read the following from the job post, which can be found at https://amarecantare.org/music-director-opening/

Since 2001, Amare Cantare has been under the direction of Catherine “Kitty” Beller-McKenna, who is known for her innovative programming and her wide-ranging musical interests embracing a variety of styles and cultures. Kitty will retire at the end of June 2025. We are grateful for all she has brought Amare Cantare and our audiences. She will be deeply missed.

A search for the group’s next Music Director is underway, with an application deadline of January 31, 2025.

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MUSIC DIRECTOR Part–Time Position

Location: Durham, NH

Contact: 

Amare Cantare chamber chorus seeks a dynamic part-time Music Director to build on a tradition of excellence and provide a creative vision for the future.

Amare Cantare

Amare Cantare (to love to sing) is an auditioned chamber chorus that strives for musical excellence in the performance of challenging and diverse repertoire. Amare Cantare seeks to foster a vital arts community, collaborate with other organizations, provide opportunities for artistic fulfillment for its singers, and share the love of music with its audiences. Since 1977, Amare Cantare has performed masterworks and choral music from six centuries. Based in Durham, New Hampshire, the group’s members come from all over the Seacoast. Amare Cantare has a volunteer member Board of Directors, which is responsible for managing all aspects of the chorus’ operations. Poco Amare is a sub-group of Amare Cantare created to meet demands for shorter, onsite performances. 

Qualifications and Expertise

Preferred candidates will have all or most of the following.

• Bachelor’s degree in Choral Conducting or related area required. Master’s or Doctorate preferred. Artist Diploma or Professional Studies Certificate acceptable.
• A minimum of five years recent choral conducting experience performing a cappella choral music as well as occasional works requiring instrumental accompaniment.
• Extensive knowledge of choral literature and experience conducting both traditional masterpieces and contemporary choral repertoire, including music of historically underrepresented composers and styles.
• Strong communication skills, and the ability to convey musical ideas clearly to singers of varying abilities.
• Knowledge and use of best practices in vocal production, choral conducting, and adult learning.
• Experience in recruiting professional instrumentalists.
• Experience with the use of media and technology to enhance singer preparation (e.g. posting recordings online, Zoom rehearsals, etc.)

Responsibilities

The Music Director:

• Is responsible for all decisions regarding selection and procurement of music for a Fall and Spring concert series. (Amare Cantare has an extensive music library.)
• Shall conduct all concert performances.
• Shall audition all prospective members and, in choosing singers, strive to maintain a balance among sections.
• May re-audition singers, and if needed, work with the Board to temporarily suspend or require the resignation of any member who does not meet the standards of the ensemble.
• Shall foster a positive environment, prepare and plan efficient weekly rehearsals on Wednesday evenings, schedule dress rehearsals and sectionals when necessary.
• Shall choose a temporary replacement if unable to attend rehearsal due to illness or emergency.
• Shall select soloists from among the membership.
• Shall work with the Board to help create a budget for the year.
• Shall select accompanists and other instrumentalists, when applicable, abiding by the annual budget.
• Shall provide concert program notes.
• Shall work with the appropriate committee to create the annual timeline.
• Shall collaborate with Concert Management/Scheduling Committee to select appropriate concert venues and dates.
• Shall work with Poco Amare Coordinator on small group gigs in addition to the concert series.
• Shall attend quarterly Board meetings and abide by the By-Laws, Standing Rules, and timeline.
• Shall present an oral report of the year’s accomplishments, challenges, and goals for the coming year at the annual meeting at the end of the concert season.

Compensation

Compensation is negotiable, depending upon qualifications and experience, and has a starting range of $12,000 to $16,000 annually.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Application deadline: January 31, 2025. Submit application to: 
• The Search Committee will review applications as they are received and will contact applicants we wish to interview. All applicants will receive a response.
• Selected applicants will be invited to interview with the Search Committee in February 2025.
• Finalists will be invited to conduct a live audition in April 2025.
• Offer made to top candidate in May 2025.
• Contract with new director begins July 1, 2025.

Application must include:

1. Cover Letter – Provide a statement of interest including:
   a. Your strengths as a conductor and artistic leader
   b. What you hope to gain from this experience
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Video of you conducting a choral group
4. List of choral groups you have conducted including:
   a. Name of group and location
   b. Size (number of singers) and whether the singers were auditioned or not
   c. How long you served as director
   d. Type of music performed
   e. Number of concerts presented each year
5. Sample list of choral works you have conducted, a cappella and with accompaniment (for example, piano or chamber orchestra)
6. Two sample programs from recent concerts you conducted
7. Materials that provide documentation in support of your application, including any links to recordings of concerts you have conducted
8. Names and contact information for at least three professional references
9. Salary requirements

If you have any questions, please address them to the above email address and we will respond as soon as possible.

Amare Cantare is an equal opportunity employer. Amare Cantare does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.