CONTRACT POSTING: Part-time Contract Choral Director
Beacon Unitarian Church, New Westminster
Start Date: September 1, 2021
Beacon Unitarian is a progressive, multi-faith welcoming community with a congregational size of 75 people. Our choir is non-auditioned and numbers 10–15 voices. For further information see www.beaconunitarian.org.
Once Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, the choir intends to meet weekly (usually Monday evenings – can be negotiated). It’s a two-hour practice and we sing in church twice a month. On choir Sundays the choir will warm up from 9:40 to 10:10 am. Services are Sunday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 am (approximately). We value a wide range of musical styles from secular to sacred, classical to contemporary. Beacon Unitarian employs an accompanist who participates in rehearsals and performances.
Duties include:
Working with the music committee and minister in choosing choir music appropriate to upcoming services and the Unitarian Universalist context. (Go to beaconunitarian.org to learn more.) Leading the choir at rehearsals and performances paying particular attention to the development of choral skills within a nurturing and supportive environment. The choir is a community building opportunity and is primarily understood as such.
Preparing rehearsal recordings of the various choral parts for choir members to review at home. The accompanist assists in the production of the practice recordings.
Preferred qualifications:
Minimum five years’ experience as a choral director with an SATB choir. We especially value previous experience in the development and direction of a non-auditioned community-based choir. Familiarity with online technology for augmenting the music component of online services during Covid-19 restrictions would be an asset.
Minimum grade 8 piano or equivalent. Ability to play vocal parts if required.
This is a self-employed contract position with duties performed from September to May.
To apply for this position, please send cover letter and resume to:
job@beaconunitarian.org