Music Director

The Presbyterian Church in Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A community church in Ontario is seeking an organist to provide musical accompaniment for Sunday services and other occasions. Responsibilities include conducting choir practices, coordinating with the Minister, and managing a music budget. Candidates should have a strong background in music and experience with choir direction. The position offers professional development support and a generous vacation policy.

Benefits

Professional development funding up to $300 per year

One month vacation after each year of employment

Qualifications

• Experience with choral music and leading rehearsals.
• Ability to select and purchase appropriate musical pieces.
• Willingness to collaborate and coordinate with staff and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Provide organ and piano accompaniment for services.
• Conduct choir rehearsals and plan services with the Minister.
• Manage the music budget proposal and reports.

Skills

Organ and/or piano proficiency

Choral conducting

Budget management

Collaboration with clergy

Education

Degree in music or related field

Job description

Duties

1. Provide organ and/or piano musical accompaniment during and 15 minutes prior to regular Sunday morning services and for other special services e.g. Good Friday, Christmas Eve.
2. Conduct weekly choir rehearsals and prepare the choir for special services e.g. Easter, Christmas.
3. Meet regularly with the Minister to co-ordinate and plan worship services. For example, the Minister usually selects hymns, and the organist usually selects anthems.
4. Hire soloists, plan and select music for paid soloists – number and time of soloists presentations based on budget.
5. Select and purchase choral music, in collaboration with the Choir which is suited to the worship style of the congregation and the strengths of the choir and/or soloists.
6. Prepare a music budget proposal annually and an annual report for the Annual General meeting which is reviewed by the session and approved by the Congregation.
7. Provide music for weddings, funerals and other special events held at St. John’s, by arrangement with participants. Payment for these activities will be in addition to the annual salary (personal schedule will be considered).
8. Promote, encourage and support the use, during services, of a variety of instruments, music and music groups who may or may not be regular choir members.
9. Arrange for a competent substitute organist for absences due to vacation, continuing education, leaves of absence and when possible, illness.
10. Arrange in collaboration with the Minister for others to carry on a ministry of music during periods, when the choir is on holiday e.g. summer months.

Additional information

Weekly Services

Sunday 11 a.m.

Choir practices

Sundays from 9:45 to 10:30 prior to the service

Choir

Approximately 10 volunteers

There is a budget for a paid soloist, but it is limited (details available through the Treasurer). Session prefers the soloists be students from a music program like the University of Toronto School of Music.

Police Check

The Leading with Care Policy of the Presbyterian Church in Canada requires all employees and volunteers to have a clear police check in order to continue working and volunteering at the church

Vacation

Vacation entitlement is one month after each year of employment to be taken at a mutually agreed time, which normally would be in July or August (5 Sundays). A substitute organist with appropriate skills will be arranged for by candidate with the agreement of the Minister and the HR Committee. For any additional Sundays off, the arrangement for a substitute organist with appropriate skills will be made by the candidate with the agreement of the Minster and the HR Committee. Payment for the substitute organist will be paid by the candidate.

Professional Development

The cost of tuition or registration for attendance at a professional development or event will be provided up to a maximum of $300 per year.

Start Date

To be negotiated after end of October 2025

Salary

TBD

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit resume or CV to Dr. Elizabeth Speers via email. [e-mail]

Applications will be reviewed by the HR committee and candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The process will include an interview and an audition.

We thank everyone for their interest.