We are seeking an Associate Director of Music

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to personnel@usnh.org

Key Details:

Part Time (~10 hours/week; 43 weeks/year; September – mid-June)
Begins April 2026
Annual Salary $16,000 – $18,000, depending on experience
Annual Professional Expense Account $800

The Organization: 

The Unitarian Society of New Haven (USNH) is a Unitarian Universalist congregation with approximately 300 adult members. We are a diverse, multi-generational faith community that inspires lives of compassion and generosity, nurtures spiritual growth, cultivates transformative connections, and works to create a more just world. 

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Music at the Unitarian Society of New Haven works closely with the Director of Music to create an inspirational and diverse music program from a broad repertoire of styles and cultures; serves as primary pianist for services, choir rehearsals, and special events; fosters musical opportunities for all interested children, youth, and adults; in coordination with the Director of Music, collaborates with the minister, staff, and lay leaders to create cohesive worship services and carry out programming that is aligned with Unitarian Universalist principles and values. 

Essential Functions:

• Coordinates with Director of Music to plan, organize, and perform music for Sunday Services from September through mid-June
• Primary pianist for Sunday Services
  • Provides prelude, offertory, postlude, and musical interludes as needed, choosing music, when possible, that complements or illustrates the sermon topic or theme
  • Accompanies congregational hymns 
  • Accompanies USNH Choral anthems
• Rehearsal pianist for Adult Choir and Youth Choir (if in session)
• Participates in weekly worship planning meeting via Zoom (preferred)

Other Responsibilities:

• Assists the Director of Music in building and maintaining relationships with community musical groups 
• In consultation with the Director of Music, makes arrangements for guest musicians and ensembles to participate in certain services throughout the year (including volunteers from the congregation and professionals from the community)
• Assists the Director of Music in planning and scheduling piano maintenance
• Works with the Music and Worship committees as needed
• Encourages the musical talents within the congregation
• Leads choral rehearsals/anthems or arranges for guest musicians on occasions when Director of Music is absent

Hours:

• Associate Director of Music works on-site for the following hours:
  • Sundays 9:30 am-12noon
    • 9:30 Rehearsal Adult Choir and/or guest musicians 
    • 10:30 Worship Service 
    • 11:30 Youth Choir Rehearsal (if in session)
  • Thursdays 7:30-8:30 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal. (Prior to large choral presentations, 7-9 pm)
• Weekly worship planning meeting via Zoom (Tuesdays 10 -11 am), if at all possible
• Remaining hours are for planning and preparing music; remote and flexible
• Receives two weeks off during the period from September through mid-June (to be scheduled in advance, in coordination with the worship planning team)
• The Associate Director of Music has the right of first refusal for memorial services and weddings taking place at USNH. Compensation for these services is extra. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in piano performance or equivalent experience

Experience as choral rehearsal pianist preferred

Experience in some congregational setting preferred

A broad repertoire of styles of music, familiarity with the music of many cultures, and willingness to use both in worship services

Respect for Unitarian Universalist values, principles, and culture

Physical Requirements:

• Work involves limited physical tasks, including lifting up to twenty pounds.