Director of Chapel Music

This position supports the music in Marquand Chapel, the University Church in Yale and Berkeley Divinity School. The position will have three equally important roles: the planning of a diverse but coherent body of congregational and supporting music for each of the distinct worship cultures of these chapels; the modeling of such musical leadership at the highest level; and the supervision and training of a variety of student musicians for leadership in worship, including organists, keyboardists, choral conductors, percussionists, and other instrumentalists and singers.

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Now accepting applications for the director of chapel music at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music | Yale Institute of Sacred Music

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Composition skills
2. Working knowledge of varying denominational traditions.
3. Excellent piano and vocal skills.
4. Supervising of staff/interns/and other part-time workers.
5. (Berkeley) Knowledge of Episcopal liturgy and music.

To be considered, applicants should submit a resume and cover letter only.

This position is a fixed duration for five years with the possibility of renewal for a 2nd five-year term. Compensation will be based on ten months of work per year (August 1 through May 31).

Principal Responsibilities

All tasks are done in close collaboration with chapel leadership, staff, worship planners, and relevant faculty. (Some duties vary by chapel.)

1. Learn and stay attuned to the unique worship culture of each chapel.
2. Plan and oversee all music for regular chapel services and special events. Liaise with all liturgical leaders (including other faculty, volunteer musicians, organ scholars and student conductors) in preparation of the services and the service folder.
3. Develop a diverse and coherent repertoire of congregational song, hymnody and service music for each community. Stay current on emerging music appropriate for each context and teach new repertoire as appropriate.
4. Audition, interview and select student organists, choral conductors, cantors and singers to lead and assist in chapel music. Train them in good leadership of worship and serve as supervisor throughout the year to ensure quality and cooperation. Also, in collaboration with student music leaders, oversee recruitment and enabling of volunteer instrumentalists from each worshiping community for regular participation in chapel services. Meet regularly with organists and choral conductors to guide anthem and voluntary selections.
5. Attend worship preparatory meetings and worship services.
6. Attend meetings as required of the various Chapel staff, teams and committees.
7. Arrange (and, if suitably qualified, compose) occasional music that supports the congregational music for worship including settings that enhance congregational song and hymnody.
8. Oversee the music portions of the bulletin-preparation process, including creating music files.
9. Oversee the management of chapel music catalogues and databases, copyright licenses and permission.
10. Oversee and maintain chapel music and liturgical resources (e.g.: hymnals, accompanist versions, prayer books, etc.) and liaise with ISM choral librarian.
11. Arrange for and hire instrumentalists and singers to participate in worship and liaise with appropriate administrative staff on budgets, hiring, and payroll
12. Oversee moves of Chapel instruments (Pipe organs, Piano, Hammond B3 and Leslie, Drum Set, djembe, rhythm instruments, and Amplifiers) as required and oversee their maintenance and repair.
13. Keep current with internal and university systems by attending training sessions when needed.
14. Plan and oversee the engagement of guest musicians for participation in worship, and, where possible, engage them to develop supplemental learning experiences for university students and faculty.
15. For qualified candidates exists the possibility of occasional conducting of the chapel choirs, and or classroom or studio teaching.
16. Other related duties as needed.

Required Education and Experience

1. Master of Music, or equivalent degree.
2. Three years of full-time experience in church music.
3. Skills in leading congregational song.
4. Knowledge of worship and church music forms from a diverse range of worship traditions, especially those of the three chapels.

Physical Requirements

Ability to move and arrange chapel furniture, musical instruments and programming material in coordination with other students, staff and presenters.

Skills and Abilities

1. Excellent musician.
2. Cooperative and able to be flexible, able to work with a wide range of musicians and congregants.
3. Well organized with excellent problem solving skills.
4. Knowledge of relevant computer software, especially music composition, layout software, databases.