Call for Choral Section Leaders

First Presbyterian Church-Newark is looking for two strong singers to enrich our volunteer adult chancel choir and take up solos as needed. With over a dozen members, the choir sings a weekly anthem, joins with the praise band in the praise song, and supports the congregation with singing the hymns. Small but dedicated, the choir seeks singers who provide strength and encouragement to their respective sections while having the opportunity to grow in experience as soloists. While open to anyone of high school age or older with demonstrated ability, those pursuing music in college and/or those just starting their pursuit as professional singers are especially encouraged to apply.

Details of the position are:

Singers to be hired:

o A Soprano to lead the upper voices. Able to sing comfortably up to at least A5, strong lower range a plus.

o A Baritone or Tenor to lead the lower voices. With a smaller lower voice section, basses and tenors frequently sing in unison (SAB music), so having a wider range (G2-G4) is a plus, but more important is a strong and pitch-sure voice.

Compensation:

o $75/service, $30/rehearsal. Services, held in person and livestreamed via YouTube, are every Sunday at 10a, and rehearsals are every Thursday at 7p The season in which the choir sings is September through May. Any extra services outside the agreed calls will receive compensation to be negotiated with the singer. If the singer is available during the summer break (June through August), they may be hired as a guest musician, as negotiated with the Director of Music.

o In addition, the sanctuary will be available for use by the singer for any private recitals, free of any rental charge (dependent on availability of sanctuary). Any extra services, such as hiring of audio/visual people, are not included and are to be covered by the singer.

Duties:

o Be leaders and provide a firm foundation for respective sections. Singers are expected to have surety of pitch and to know the music well enough to fulfill this duty.

o Sing occasional solos as they arise in anthems. Sometimes a choral work will ask for a solo, and section leaders will take these on. Not a hard-and-fast rule, understanding some solos may not fit the singer’s voice too well—to be determined in consultation with the Director of Music.

o May be called upon to lead sectional rehearsals. Though not typical, the Director of Music may decide to have sectionals if the music being learned calls for it. Basic piano skills (being able to play the vocal line) are ideal, but if the section leader is able to teach the part in some other manner, that will be considered.

Applicants who are considered will partake in an interview and an audition. For the audition, please prepare 1-2 songs which demonstrate ability—songs which demonstrate capability in different genres are encouraged (classical, theatrical, praise, pop, etc.); the Director will also have 1-2 samples from choral works and 1-2 samples from hymns the applicant will sightread with limited preparation.

First Presbyterian Church-Newark, as a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA), has a firm dedication to the community, equity and inclusion, justice and peace. We are open and affirming to all racial and ethnic, gender, sexual, and ability identities. Christ welcomes all who come in love and peace, and so do we. Please visit our website at firstpresnewark.org and the website of the P.C. (U.S.A.) at pcusa.org to learn more.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: Up to $105.00 per week

Ability to Commute:

Newark, DE 19711 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

Newark, DE 19711: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

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Choral Section Leader