Associate for Music

All Souls Episcopal Parish, Berkeley CA

Music is essential to the worship and life at All Souls Parish. It binds us together and reflects our diverse experiences of God and each other. We pride ourselves on having a liturgy with a wide range of musical offerings, with a repertoire that includes centuries of Christian practice. We may sing chants from the Roman (Gregorian), Orthodox, and Taizé traditions; hymns from 16th-century Germany, 19th-century England, and 21st- century America; and folk spirituals from Appalachia along with African-American spirituals, jazz, and Gospel music, all within a single service. All Souls Parish is a highly inclusive, fun-loving and cerebral crowd united in a commitment to social justice. The congregation participates actively and enthusiastically in singing.

The successful candidate will get to work with an exciting and dedicated team of clergy and lay leaders who value the contributions of the parish musician, and a core group of musicians who are talented, dedicated, and creative. The parish has a large library of printed music and bulletin archives, and provides a private office for the musician.

We seek a musician who will lead us in making music that draws from our inheritance and welcomes new forms and expressions. We seek an inspired, passionate musician able to foster creative musical expression (congregational, choral, and instrumental), while facilitating and valuing an inclusive worship environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Assist the clergy staff with preparation of liturgy

  • Select music for Sunday services and other church happenings

  • Assist in the preparation of the bulletin (providing song references, lyrics, and/or notational graphics)

  • Overall direction of the music program including:

    • Play and conduct as needed each Sunday at 10:30 am service, weddings, funerals, and holy days such as Christmas, the Triduum and Easter

    • Direct the parish choir and Angel Band, leading weekly practices on Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm

    •  Lead Taize chants and other music for Advent gatherings

    • Play an active role in weekly staff meeting

  • Manage, track and schedule:

    • Interested volunteer musicians

    • Songs/works to be performed in addition to choir and Angel Band

    • Database and relationships with regular paid musicians (e.g. trumpeter, professional soprano and bass)

  • Order new music and procure copyrights as needed

  • Inspire and recruit singers and instrumentalists to join us; improvise musically with others

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

  • Competent and experienced choral director, organist and pianist, and gifted accompanist

  • Ability to foster a creative, respectful, and welcoming environment that encourages participation and builds both musicians and the program

  • Highly proficient in reading music and writing musical notation

  • Familiarity with Finale, Sibelius or other notation software a plus

  • Openness to collaboration with other musicians and singers in arranging music

  • Christian commitment and practice

  • Strong pastoral, administrative, and collegial skills

  • Knowledge of a wide variety of musical cultures and styles

Required and preferred education, experience and credentials

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant musical discipline such as choral conducting, organ performance, sacred music, etc.

  • Experience in directing music in a wide range of musical styles

  • Experience managing a music program in a liturgical church (preferably Episcopal)

Compensation includes housing (3 bedrooms, 2 bath, 1400 sq feet) plus $18,000-$22,000 in salary annually with some additional benefits, or $46,000-$50,000 if housing is not included. Average weekly commitment is 20-24 hours, at the church and practicing and preparing for rehearsals and Sunday worship.

Applicants should email or mail a resume and cover letter to Anne Yardley at ayardley@drew.edu

The committee will begin reviewing applications on June 10, 2024.

Church Resources

  • The church has a two-manual Cassavant Frères organ – Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec 1964

    No. 2800 https://pipeorgandatabase.org/instruments/45556

  • Two grand pianos (one in the church and one in the parish hall)

  • The Angel Band includes banjos, guitars, clarinet, and singers and performs American music including bluegrass and folk spirituals. It is led by Nat Lewis and its members are part of the choir. They rehearse separately once a month. The entire choir usually sings along with the Angel Band on Sunday mornings.

    All Souls Church is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from any qualified applicant including musicians of color, LGBTQ+ people and all genders.