DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES

MINISTRY DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

In Title II Canon 5 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church, clergy are called to “see that

music is used as an offering for the glory of God and as a help to the people in their

worship.” Following the model of Jesus sending the disciples two-by-two, the canons go

on to say “the Clergy shall seek assistance from persons skilled in music. Together they

shall see that music is appropriate to the context in which it is used.” In accordance with

the canons and in a spirit of shared leadership, creative worship and service that honors

God and builds up the church, Calvary Episcopal Church is calling our next Director of

Music Ministries.

One of the ways the people of Calvary Episcopal Church offer worship to God and

express their creativity is through diverse music. We are one parish that offers three

very different worship experiences for people to connect with: a traditional chancel

choir and organ service; a more informal folk/bluegrass service with guitar, piano, and

other instruments; and a quiet, contemplative service without music. We are searching

for a Director of Music Ministries who can partner with us to build Calvary’s music

ministries both within the parish and in our growing community.

The person we are looking for loves God, people, the church and music. The Director has

an appreciation for the many ways people connect to God through music and embraces

traditional and contemporary music styles, understands that the organ and guitar both

give glory to God and is open to exploring everything from plainsong chants and hymns

to Taizé and I Saw the Light.

Our current music ministries will richly benefit by having one person to lead and grow

them. Each of our services with music currently relies on a small group of volunteer

singers that we hope to expand in size and diversity. Traditionally, the choir has taken

the summer off though the church would like to explore having a summer pick-up choir

as an easy way for people to get involved. Both music groups stepped up during the

pandemic to produce virtual worship music and sing as duos when in-person worship

resumed. Our interim Music Director has been a consistent, calming and faithful guide

during his tenure.

SUMMARY

The Director of Music Ministries will build and broaden Calvary’s music ministries; be

skilled in playing keyboard instruments; be familiar with traditional and contemporary

hymns, other worship music, and choral music; direct the church’s choral groups; and

explore new music outreach opportunities for the larger Bastrop County community.

MINISTRY DESCRIPTION

I. Worship

1. Serve as the organist and choirmaster at the 11am liturgy on Sundays

a. Be skilled in playing the organ

b. Direct the Chancel Choir

c. Lead one weekly choir rehearsal during the Program Year (from the Fall

Kickoff in August until Pentecost, usually in May)

2. Serve as the music director for the 9am liturgy on Sundays

a. Be skilled in playing the piano

b. Lead rehearsal for 9 AM singers prior to the Sunday service

3. Work with the rector to plan and select hymns, songs and musical settings

appropriate to the season that delight and challenge singers at diverse levels of

ability

4. Hire and oversee supplemental vocalists or musicians as needed and as the

budget allows

5. Play at seasonal and festival services, including Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday,

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Holy Cross Day (Calvary’s feast

day), St Francis Day and others as requested by the Rector

6. Play for all weddings and funerals of the parish if requested and available for

additional compensation. If needed, the director will identify, coordinate,

rehearse and direct any additional musicians or singers needed for these services.

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II. Leadership

The Director will provide leadership and oversee Calvary’s music ministries. The

Director will discern the character of music ministry in this unique place and develop

annual goals and quarterly milestones that fit into Calvary’s values and mission.

The Director will be active and visible in the congregation in order to identify and invite

parishioners of varying ages and musical backgrounds to serve in music ministries,

reaching out within 48 hours when a newcomer expresses interest in music.

The Director will work with the traditional and contemporary singers to develop and

strengthen their musical gifts, become one collective voice in their respective groups,

and navigate the tension between participation and performance within worship.

The musical performance opportunities at Calvary provide meaningful community and

support to those involved. The Director will empower this fellowship and provide

spiritual support while making sure those in music ministries remain engaged in the

larger life of the parish.

III. Longer-Term Community Goals

1. Over time, the Director will build a network with the music community in the

Bastrop & Austin area, which might include identifying and scheduling musical

performers for Concerts in the Courtyard

2. Partner with Calvary Episcopal School students & Honor Choir members to sing

on Sunday mornings from time to time

IV. Communications & Administration

1. Provide short background about selected music for Sunday bulletins and at least

monthly updates on music ministries and events for Calvary Scroll e-newsletter,

website and social media.

2. Attend monthly staff meetings and worship planning sessions

3. Manage and oversee the music budget, making annual requests based on the

Music Ministry’s mission and goals for the coming year

4. Ensure compliance with copyright, licensing and reporting for in-person and

livestreamed services

5. Provide care and maintenance for parish musical instruments

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QUALIFICATIONS

● Commitment to Christ, the church and the pastoral care of those in the music

ministry

● Skilled in playing keyboard instruments

● Experience or training directing traditional and contemporary choral music

● Minimum of Bachelor’s in Music Education or Performance

● Knowledge of, and ability to embrace, traditional and contemporary music styles

● Commitment to build Calvary’s music ministry in a growing community

SALARY & BENEFITS

● The Director of Music Ministries is an exempt employee (not eligible for overtime

pay) and is expected to work 1,300 hours per year or 25 hours per week. More

hours will likely be required in preparation for Christmas & Easter and fewer

hours will be necessary during the summer.

● Annual salary of $40,170

● 403(b) retirement plan with 8% church match for 4% Director contribution

● Four weeks of annual vacation, including four Sundays. The Director will be

responsible for locating a substitute to play (at the church’s expense) during the

Sundays out.

● 12 paid holidays throughout the year

● Right of first refusal for wedding and funeral services for additional fees

● Use of facilities for private teaching in coordination with the use of the sanctuary

by Calvary Episcopal School and other church functions

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are due July 30. To apply, please submit the following to The Rev. Matt

Stone at calvarydiscernment@cecbastrop.org:

● A cover letter describing your interest in the position and your abilities and

experience that you believe are most responsive to the Director’s responsibilities;

● Your resume;

● 2-3 minute digital recording of a solo piano or organ piece; and

● Contact info for two references

The digital recording may be a church-related piece, classical music, or any other piece

that demonstrates your technical ability and musicianship. The recording may be

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provided through secure YouTube or a cloud-based storage link. We will acknowledge

receipt of applications immediately and communicate via email early in the process. We

plan to begin interviews by late July and fill the position by the start of the school year.

Calvary is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified

individuals.

You can learn more about the place we (and perhaps you will) call home on the next

page.

In closing, we offer this prayer adapted from The Book of Common Prayer for you as

you discern your next step in music ministry. We look forward to hearing your story.

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with

your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your

people on earth, especially those whom you are calling to a season of discernment with

Calvary; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy

at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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P A G E 1

A PLACE TO CALL HOME.The Bastrop School District serves over 11,300 studentsfrom Bastrop and surrounding areas. The ISD has twocomprehensive high schools, an early college high school,and a nontraditional online high school. It also has twomiddle schools (grades 7 and 8), two intermediate schools(grades 5 and 6), and six elementary schools (grades pre-Kthrough 4). In addition, Bastrop County is home to anumber of private and charter schools, including our ownCalvary Episcopal School. The University of Texas, SaintEdward’s University, Texas State, Southwestern and AustinCommunity College are all nearby.

LIVING IN BASTROP COUNTY

Located just 35 miles southeast ofAustin, Bastrop County combines thefamily benefits of an exurbancommunity with close access to allthat Austin—one of the mostculturally vibrant cities in America—has to offer. With a population ofunder 100,000, Bastrop County isexperiencing rapid growth due to itsaffordability and location. It is hometo retirees and young families, long-time residents of the Lost Pines, andthose looking for a safe and beautifulplace to call home.

Bastrop has a vibrant arts communitythat includes the Bastrop Fine ArtsGuild, Bastrop Opera House, thenewest campus of The Art Instituteand many small galleries. It alsooffers a variety of outdoor activitiesthat include kayaking the Colorado,hiking through Bastrop State Park orMcKinney Roughs, horseback riding,golf, and fishing. We have locallyowned stores and venues and many ofthe larger chain stores so that youcan find most everything you wantwithout having to travel to the city.

CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Many people who live in Bastrop commute to jobs in the surrounding area.Daily commute times into Austin range typically from 30-60 minutes.

Cost of living in Bastrop is 7% lower than the national average. The mediancost of a home is in the range of $350,000 and rentals for a 2-bedroomapartment range from $875-1500.

Bastrop is home to a new hospital, Seton Ascension, and offers many optionsfor family care, dentistry and other health related services.

Among the large retail stores in the area are HEB, Wal-Mart, Home Depot,Lowe’s, Best Buy, and Academy. Bastrop restaurants include American,Mexican, Chinese, Greek, BBQ, and Italian cuisine as well as many popularnational franchise restaurants.

New industries and business are coming to the area constantly. CurrentlyTesla is building a new factory set to open in 2021 between Bastrop andAustin. Bastrop is also one of the front runners with Biolife Sciences. Some ofthe Bio and life science clusters feature The University of Texas MD AndersonCancer Center, Agilent Technologies, and The Coghlan Group and ARQGenetics.

Circuit of The Americas is the premier destination for world-classmotorsports and entertainment in the United States. Set on 1,500 acres inthe rolling hills just outside downtown Austin, Circuit of The Americas hashosted the biggest names in racing, action sports and music since 2012.COTA is located 24 miles from Bastrop.

Austin hosts two major entertainment events each year: South by Southwest(SXSW) in the spring and Austin City Limits Music Festival in the fall.

BASTROPCOUNTY

P A G E 2

The parish hall is located on the primarydowntown street, drawing thecommunity into the fellowship of thecongregation and increasing its presence within the community.

With the end of COVID and a return to“normal” in-person worshipping, Calvaryhas emerged stronger than ever andeager to grow as a spiritual communityand a support to the larger community.

About us

CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

WHO WE ARE

Calvary is the only Episcopal Church inBastrop County and its music programhas always been an essential andintegral part of the worship experienceas well as community outreach.

The cornerstone for the current buildingwas laid in 1881 and the church wasexpanded in 1997 to its currentfootprint. Calvary Episcopal School(serving 3 year-olds through 6th grade) isaffiliated with the church.

P A G E 3

THE POSITIONWe are seeking a Music Director to take the lead indeveloping our musical offerings for the congregation andthe community at large. Continuing to embrace our musicalbeginnings, we hope our new Music Director can expandupon our traditional and contemporary musical offerings aspart of our worship. We want more than just a choirdirector; we hope to have someone who will help drawpeople into our midst by creating an uplifting musicalexperience for anyone entering the doors of CalvaryEpiscopal Church.

We hope you will consider becoming our new MusicDirector and joining our community. Please feel free tocontact us with any questions. Direct your questions toMatt Stone, Rector, Calvary Episcopal Church atcalvarydiscernment@cecbastrop.org.

P A G E 4

OUR WORSHIP

There are three services on Sunday.Our 8:00 a.m. service is quiet andcontemplative in nature, while musicand congregational singing play animportant role in our worship at the9:00 a.m. and the 11:00 a.m. services. The 9:00 service is live-streamed.Average Sunday attendance is 140people.

The 9:00 service features morecontemporary music with guitar andpiano and sometimes other acousticinstruments while the 11:00 service isa traditional Anglican organ-orientedservice with a choir. We hope toexpand our support to communitymusical events such as the Christmasconcert from the Bastrop HonorsChoir and offerings from musicians atthe Bastrop Music Academy.

CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH