Church of the Epiphany Parish
Director of Music
1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC
Overview
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, a 176-year-old congregation in downtown Washington, DC seeks a ¾ time Music Director to build on our historic commitments to excellence in music, service to the poor, and nurturing a welcoming, diverse community in Washington. Our glorious instruments add to our worship experience. We proudly house 64-rank, 4-manual Aeolian-Skinner organ with 3,467 pipes (Epiphany recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organ’s installation), a 9-foot Steinway D concert grand piano, and a three-rank chamber organ from Slovenia. The rehearsal space is also equipped with a grand piano. There is a year-round Tuesday Concert Series which attracts a variety of nationally and sometimes internationally known musical groups, soloists, and instrumentalists. Epiphany provides the Washington Bach Consort with a regular home on the first Tuesday of each month
from October to May. The Church is regularly rented by a wide variety of orchestras, choirs and soloists for both evening and afternoon concerts. We are seeking a choral leader and keyboard musician well-versed in the liturgy of the Episcopal Church who can inspire, teach, and build the Epiphany community through musical leadership. He/she will be expected to participate collegially in the parish leadership team of clergy and lay staff members.
Our regular worship schedule includes two Sunday morning Eucharists:
The 8 am Eucharist uses a modified Rite II liturgy designed to be user-friendly for people not raised in the Episcopal Church. It features Gospel hymns from the African American Heritage Hymnal and is led by a volunteer choir of people who are both housed and experiencing homelessness.
The 11 am liturgy is a Rite II eucharist. Hymns are typically from the 1982 Hymnal, but we also comfortably incorporate hymns from African American Heritage Hymnal, LEVAS II, Wonder Love and Praise and Taizé chants in the same service. The 11 am service on occasion may incorporate sung responses, incense. The choir currently includes both paid and volunteer members.
Despite their differences, the two Sunday Eucharists have much in common. Healing ministers are available for the laying on of hands. A parishioner described the Prayers of the People at Epiphany, when the presider invites open prayers, as a time when “first-world problems are aired along with pleas for basic necessities, and we are reminded once again of the power of a God who shares our every burden.” Although the music at the two services is distinctly different in style, both services have excellent music that inspires the worshipping congregation. As one of our 8 am worshippers said, “Music at Epiphany just gives me a joyful feeling.” Echoed by an 11 am worshipper, who said the most enjoyable aspect about Epiphany is “Glory to God through music and prayer.”
Major responsibilities will include the following:
Provide musical leadership and direction to both the 8:00 and 11:00 Sunday choirs.
Recruit volunteers manage staff singers, and lead rehearsals.
Educate and encourage members of the parish in singing and appreciating music in worship.
Work in partnership and collaboration with clergy and lay leaders to plan liturgies for Sundays and feast days, select repertoire,
and ensure music reflects liturgical themes.
Serve as Organist/Pianist at principal Sunday and feast day services, other special services, weddings, and funerals.
Arrange for substitute organists/pianists and special musicians as required.
Arrange for regular maintenance and tuning of all keyboard instruments.
Launch and develop a Children’s choir.
Shape the vision and provide leadership to the Tuesday Concert series.
Requirements: Experience
Substantive experience as a music/choir director. Masters or Doctoral degree in music or equivalent experience is required.
Knowledge of Anglican/Episcopal liturgy, including the Book of Common Prayer, the 1982 Hymnal (service music and hymns), African-American Heritage Hymnal, and other approved Episcopal musical resources.
Excellence in organ and piano musicianship across a range of musical styles and advanced improvisational skills.
Experience in choral direction across a range of musical styles, including traditional hymns and Gospel music.
Demonstrated record of collaborative liturgical planning.
Requirements: Personal characteristics
Openness to a variety of musical styles
A shared commitment to Epiphany’s work with the downtown poor.
An enthusiastic and inspiring leader who is not afraid to re-imagine and build from the ground up.
A pastoral leader attentive to the spiritual needs of parishioners and choir members.
Compensation and benefits
Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits including medical and dental insurance,
professional development.
Search process
Please send a cover letter, resume, and sample of both keyboard and choral music to Bea Dermer at [email protected], with Attention: Director of Music in the Subject Line. Applications will be received through January 18.
1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC
Overview
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, a 176-year-old congregation in downtown Washington, DC seeks a ¾ time Music Director to build on our historic commitments to excellence in music, service to the poor, and nurturing a welcoming, diverse community in Washington. Our glorious instruments add to our worship experience. We proudly house 64-rank, 4-manual Aeolian-Skinner organ with 3,467 pipes (Epiphany recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organ’s installation), a 9-foot Steinway D concert grand piano, and a three-rank chamber organ from Slovenia. The rehearsal space is also equipped with a grand piano. There is a year-round Tuesday Concert Series which attracts a variety of nationally and sometimes internationally known musical groups, soloists, and instrumentalists. Epiphany provides the Washington Bach Consort with a regular home on the first Tuesday of each month
from October to May. The Church is regularly rented by a wide variety of orchestras, choirs and soloists for both evening and afternoon concerts. We are seeking a choral leader and keyboard musician well-versed in the liturgy of the Episcopal Church who can inspire, teach, and build the Epiphany community through musical leadership. He/she will be expected to participate collegially in the parish leadership team of clergy and lay staff members.
Our regular worship schedule includes two Sunday morning Eucharists:
The 8 am Eucharist uses a modified Rite II liturgy designed to be user-friendly for people not raised in the Episcopal Church. It features Gospel hymns from the African American Heritage Hymnal and is led by a volunteer choir of people who are both housed and experiencing homelessness.
The 11 am liturgy is a Rite II eucharist. Hymns are typically from the 1982 Hymnal, but we also comfortably incorporate hymns from African American Heritage Hymnal, LEVAS II, Wonder Love and Praise and Taizé chants in the same service. The 11 am service on occasion may incorporate sung responses, incense. The choir currently includes both paid and volunteer members.
Despite their differences, the two Sunday Eucharists have much in common. Healing ministers are available for the laying on of hands. A parishioner described the Prayers of the People at Epiphany, when the presider invites open prayers, as a time when “first-world problems are aired along with pleas for basic necessities, and we are reminded once again of the power of a God who shares our every burden.” Although the music at the two services is distinctly different in style, both services have excellent music that inspires the worshipping congregation. As one of our 8 am worshippers said, “Music at Epiphany just gives me a joyful feeling.” Echoed by an 11 am worshipper, who said the most enjoyable aspect about Epiphany is “Glory to God through music and prayer.”
Major responsibilities will include the following:
Provide musical leadership and direction to both the 8:00 and 11:00 Sunday choirs.
Recruit volunteers manage staff singers, and lead rehearsals.
Educate and encourage members of the parish in singing and appreciating music in worship.
Work in partnership and collaboration with clergy and lay leaders to plan liturgies for Sundays and feast days, select repertoire,
and ensure music reflects liturgical themes.
Serve as Organist/Pianist at principal Sunday and feast day services, other special services, weddings, and funerals.
Arrange for substitute organists/pianists and special musicians as required.
Arrange for regular maintenance and tuning of all keyboard instruments.
Launch and develop a Children’s choir.
Shape the vision and provide leadership to the Tuesday Concert series.
Requirements: Experience
Substantive experience as a music/choir director. Masters or Doctoral degree in music or equivalent experience is required.
Knowledge of Anglican/Episcopal liturgy, including the Book of Common Prayer, the 1982 Hymnal (service music and hymns), African-American Heritage Hymnal, and other approved Episcopal musical resources.
Excellence in organ and piano musicianship across a range of musical styles and advanced improvisational skills.
Experience in choral direction across a range of musical styles, including traditional hymns and Gospel music.
Demonstrated record of collaborative liturgical planning.
Requirements: Personal characteristics
Openness to a variety of musical styles
A shared commitment to Epiphany’s work with the downtown poor.
An enthusiastic and inspiring leader who is not afraid to re-imagine and build from the ground up.
A pastoral leader attentive to the spiritual needs of parishioners and choir members.
Compensation and benefits
Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits including medical and dental insurance,
professional development.
Search process
Please send a cover letter, resume, and sample of both keyboard and choral music to Bea Dermer at [email protected], with Attention: Director of Music in the Subject Line. Applications will be received through January 18.