The “DCM” is responsible for the quality of music at all worship services and support, encouragement and leadership of the musical life of the Congregation. The music provided throughout the year in worship services must support the worship theme or tone of individual services, be appropriately diverse, and include pieces from a variety of religious and secular traditions, cultures and languages. The Congregation is also moved by music in its community life outside of worship services. The DCM acts as a resource for members and groups in the Congregation working to further Congregational community goals and activities in such venues as musical groups, social events, concerts and programs.

He/she will strive to ensure that his/her work and all music activities at First are in keeping with our music mission statement, that is to:

1. Maximize and deepen the transformational power of every worship service.
2. Serve members of all interests, ages and abilities.
3. Nurture the leadership skills of lay people within the congregation.
4. Foster members’ sense of belonging and responsibility for the music program and music events.
5. Act as a community-building force for the congregation as a whole.
6. Offer a consistent, positive energy that helps attract new members.

This is a part-time position based on 20 hours per week.

The DCM will be responsible for: planning the Sunday music program, ensuring that the music library is organized and maintained, and recruiting & supporting the facilitators / leaders of the “Music Ministry Groups”. The DCM will recruit, identify and oversee member and guest musicians as well as Sunday pianists and accompanists. As appropriate, the DCM will act as a resource and/or direct musical groups in the Congregation. The DCM will work with the Worship Convenor, the Minister and the Music Ministry Committee, as appropriate.

Statement of Accountability: This position reports to the Board of Trustees through the Worship Convenor and the Minister who bears overall responsibility for Worship. The position works closely with music committees, but is not accountable to them.

Specific Responsibilities

a) Providing Music

1. To arrange for and/or prepare appropriate piano/instrumental or vocal music, and/or dance, at all worship services, and to be accountable for the quality of those musical offerings and maintaining an appropriate level of excellence in worship music. While much of Sunday service music may be provided by members or paid or guest musicians, the DCM is expected to provide music in their own medium (piano, voice, instrumental) at various services throughout the year.

2. To engage and oversee Sunday service pianists and accompanists.

3. To act as a musical resource to the Congregation by developing and working with members and their music ensembles (such as the Band, Open Choir, Chamber Choir and Children's Choir), as appropriate for participation in worship services as well as other appropriate activities (e.g. congregational rites of passage and community music events). This includes selecting and obtaining the music for rehearsals and being accountable for its safekeeping. The DCM is responsible for playing piano for his/her own rehearsals when an accompanist is not available.

4. To approve, engage, rehearse with, and arrange payment for, guest artists, soloists, and ensembles within the music budget allocation.

5. To communicate and co-operate with the Director of Lifespan Religious Education to support music within the Religious Education and children’s worship programs.

6. The DCM is free to accept paid opportunities to provide music at weddings and memorial services held within the church building, when requested. Such services to be invoiced separately and are to be considered over and above the hours designated for regular church work, and over and above regular remuneration received from First Unitarian.


b) Communication

1. To work within an interdisciplinary team (including Worship Leaders, Ministers, and the Director of Lifespan Religious Education) on the advance selection of music that is appropriate to the theme of the services. This involves attending the worship planning portion of weekly staff meetings and a summer weekend retreat.

2. To work with the Music Ministry Committee to ensure that music activities within the congregation are in accordance with the Vision and the Mission of First’s Music Program.

3. To write, a monthly music column for Horizons newsletter and weekly information for the order of service to meet necessary timeliness, or to delegate this as appropriate.

4. To attend staff and committee meetings, (and occasionally Convenor and Board meetings) as determined by the need for good communication between the DCM, the Minister, the Worship Convenor, the Worship Leader, or the Administrator as required.

5. To arrange for appropriate substitutes on rehearsal nights or Sundays when unable to attend, covering the costs of such replacements from the Director's remuneration when unable to fulfill the duties required.


c) Administration

1. To develop and be accountable for the annual music budget which entails submitting annual financial requirements, planning and making expenditures, and monitoring and reporting on expenditures on a semi-annual basis.

2. To purchase choir music within the choral music budget and to support the choral librarian, and the Music Ministry Committee, in the building and maintenance of the choir's library which should be kept up to date on the computer.

3. Advise the Administrator of the church in a timely fashion concerning the needs of space allocation for rehearsals, the need for risers or special chair arrangements for services, and any extra performances.

4. Advise the Administrator on the condition and maintenance needs of the pianos.

5. Advise the Administrator and Music Ministry Committee on policy setting regarding the use of church-owned pianos, and the implementation of such policies through the church Administrator.

6. Coordinate and cooperate with other staff and Convenors at First, including clergy, and administrative and custodial personnel.


d) Development/Outreach

1. To work with the Music Ministry Committee, Worship Convenor, and the Minister in shaping the future direction of music at First so that music will be integrated into our community in a variety of ways that will enhance the spiritual and numerical growth of the congregation.

2. To participate in appropriate denominational conferences, seminars, musician's networks (Unitarian-Universalist Musicians’ Network), and pursue professional development opportunities which will further the mission statement outlined above.

April 30, 2008