Music Director

Temple Sholom Cincinnati

Music Director Job Description

I: IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

Position Title: MUSIC DIRECTOR

Status: Part-time

Reports to: Rabbi

II: PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THIS POSITION

The Music Director serves the Temple as principal musician, keyboardist, and choir director to the highest professional standards established by this profession.

III: POSITION CONTENT

A. Routine Duties

• Provide service music for weekly Friday evening Shabbat services.

• Provide service music for High Holy Days: erev Rosh Hashanah; Rosh Hashana morning; erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre); Yom Kippur morning, afternoon, memorial, and concluding services

• Hire additional musicians for services as needed, primarily for High Holy Days.

  • Train, direct, and supervise choirs, instruments, instrumental ensembles, and cantorial soloists.

• Provide service music for other holidays and celebrations, including bar/bat mitzvahs and weddings, as requested.

• Introduce new music and encourage congregational participation.

• Integrate diverse and/or popular music into service as requested.

  • Communicate through the congregational newsletter.

B. Budget

• Develop a budget for liturgical music.

• Supervise and account for all copyright licensing expenditures.

• Oversee budget for musicians and musical programming.

C. Continued Education

• Maintain and develop personal and professional skills.

  • Attend continuing education and training opportunities.

  • Continue dedication to personal practice and musical growth.

D. Collaboration

• Coordinate, plan, and execute joint music projects with other congregations if requested.

• Work collaboratively with music directors of other synagogues and/or churches if requested.

IV: POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

A. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND/OR ABILITIES

1. Basic Requirements

• High degree of proficiency in the use of the keyboard attested to by formal credentials and a personal performance audition.

• Comfortable knowledge of electronic keyboard, settings, patches, memory, etc.

• Working knowledge of instruments that might be used in liturgical music.

• Knowledge and appreciation of, or a desire to learn, the Jewish liturgical tradition and current practices.

• Ability to sustain a program of congregational singing.

• Effective skills as a choral conductor, demonstrated by formal credentials and performance.

2. Additional Desirable Skills

• Thorough knowledge of, or desire to learn, quality repertoire available for adult and children's choirs, keyboard, cantorial soloists, and congregation within a Jewish liturgical setting.

• Skills to cultivate a safe and inclusive community of music ministry.

• Basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office and music publishing software, for example, Finale or Sibelius, as needed for arrangements.

• Working knowledge of sound equipment and microphones as necessary.

B. EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE

1. Qualifying degrees or credentials for professional status for the Music Director:

• Master's degree in music performance or music education preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in music performance or music education required.

  2. Experience and knowledge of, or a desire to learn, Jewish liturgical music and practice.

ADDITIONAL POSITION ATTRIBUTES

The Music Director of Temple Sholom will endeavor to acquire a knowledge of and show respect for the Jewish faith as well as a willingness to adhere to the policies of Temple Sholom. 

The Music Director will not publicly oppose the Jewish faith or traditions practiced at Temple Sholom and will not publicly advocate any position that contradicts its Jewish customs or sensibilities.

This expectation includes any public speech, demonstration or writing, or the use of social media and other digital technologies. 

To apply for this position, please send your resume and cover letter to Marcy Ziek: [email protected]