Parish Musician Search

POSITION OF ORGANIST AND CHOIR DIRECTOR 

Christ Episcopal Church, Woodbury is a vibrant parish community located twenty minutes from downtown Philadelphia. We have rich liturgy and music in a welcoming and diverse congregation where we strive to recognize both God’s intimate and transcendent presence in our worship and daily lives. 

Music at Christ Church

The adult choir comprises approximately eight enthusiastic and talented volunteers, led by four paid section leaders.

The choir rehearses on Sunday morning.

The choir sings most Sundays and occasional feast days from September to June. 

Hymns are chosen from the Hymnal 1982  and are supplemented by other authorized Episcopal Church hymnals. We use congregational Mass settings, usually combined with an Anglican chant psalm, Gregorian chant, Offertory anthem, and Communion motet.

The parish has an extensive music library.

The instrument is a two manual M.P. Möller Double Artiste with 12 ranks, unified at different pitches, with additional chimes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide organ music and accompaniment for the Sunday 10 a.m. Mass and occasional services as scheduled.
• Lead weekly choir rehearsals on Sunday morning, including rehearsal time for Choral Scholars and for Choristers.
• Select and prepare a diverse range of choral repertoire attuned to the liturgical year and appropriate to the choir’s capabilities. 
• Working collaboratively with clergy, selecting appropriate hymns, choral works, preludes, and postludes for services.
• Commit to a vision which nurtures and grows the choral community.
• Work with the wardens and vestry to ensure organ maintenance and necessary repairs.
• Work with the wardens, treasurer, and vestry to manage the music budget.
• Attend in-person and/or virtual staff meetings.
• Some work can be done remotely.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Music, Organ, or Choral Conducting; or equivalent experience.
• Good pipe organ skills
• Good choral conducting ability.
• Good planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communications skills.
• Ability to prepare and challenge a choir with a rewarding experience and musical growth.

Compensation

• This position is part-time (15 hours/week) and work can be done remotely as well as in-person.
• Salary range $28,000- $32,000 commensurate with experience
• 4 weeks paid vacation.

Interested candidates: : Please send the following to Fr. Lawrence Civale at  frcivale@christchurch.woodburynj.org

• Cover letter stating your interest and explaining how your gifts are suited to the position.
• Resumé.
• Reference contact information of three people who can attest to your qualifications and personal characteristics.
• Links to videos or recordings of your organ performance, hymn accompaniment, and choral conducting, as available.

Christ Episcopal Church
62 Delaware Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096

(856) 845-0190

christchurch.woodburynj.org

(Posted April 12, 2024)