Now Hiring: Director of Music
Position Title: Director of Music
Reports to: Minister
Start date: January 1, 2026
Status: 20 hours per week
Compensation: $32,000 annual salary in accordance with UUA guidelines ($35,000 per year with AUUMM Music Leadership Certification), $1,500 professional expenses.
To apply: Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Rev. Jason Lydon, jasonmlydon@gmail.com. Applications are due December 1, 2025.
Position Summary
Second Unitarian Church of Chicago (656 W. Barry) is seeking a part time (20 hours/week) Director of Music whose primary area of responsibility will be nurturing the music ministry of the congregation. We seek a person who is interested in collaborating closely with the minister to advance the overarching vision of the music ministry within the congregation. The person will manage the week-to-week programming of music for worship, leading the choir, and overseeing the band and other instrumentalists. This position requires someone who works well both independently and collaboratively with people of all ages. Strong communications and organizational skills are essential. We seek a candidate with at least 2-3 years personal and/or professional experience leading and coordinating music and musicians. Commitment to Unitarian Universalist values and familiarity with UU music are essential.
About Second Unitarian
Second Unitarian Church of Chicago is a 200-member congregation located in East Lakeview, near the Boystown neighborhood. Founded in 1857, this congregation has a long history of ministry in the city including through social justice efforts and spiritual nourishment. This is a healthy congregation with active leadership and lay engagement in the congregation. The staff is excellent to work with and are self-motivated workers serving the shared ministry of the church.
Worship
● Collaborate with the minister, worship support team, and guest ministers in crafting music design for each worship service.
● Select hymns and featured pieces of music
● Work with collaborative pianist on selecting appropriate instrumental pieces that align with each service’s musical vision/themes
● Lead congregational singing and coordinate congregational song leaders
● Plan two Music Sunday services annually
● Coordinate AV needs with tech team with aim to serve both the 2U room and remote participants and YouTube recordings.
● Submit all music information for each week’s order of service.
● Coordinate music for additional non-Sunday services (Christmas Eve, Blue Christmas)
● Engage in constructive and healthy communication with congregation and staff in support of music ministry.
Ensembles
● Encourage and promote community participation in the 2U choir and band
● Prepare and lead weekly choir rehearsals from mid-August through end of May/early June
● Conduct choir in worship services twice a month
● Maintain choir library along with volunteer librarian
● Oversee or lead monthly worship band rehearsals
● Lead or coordinate monthly worship band performances
Supervise
● Oversee and support collaborative pianist, providing them with music in advance of choir rehearsals and Sunday services.
● Hire and oversee guest musicians as needed
● Oversee and support congregational soloists, songleaders, and instrumentalists
● In collaboration with the Music Committee chair, oversee the committee’s agenda and attend monthly meetings.
General
● Attend weekly one-on-one meetings with the minister
● Attend monthly staff meetings
● Develop and oversee the music program annual budget
● Submit music usage quarterly to copyright licenses (One License and Christian Copyright Solutions WorshipCast License)
● Oversee maintenance of musical instruments (primarily the sanctuary and loft pianos)
● Submit annual report
● Plan and lead annual retreat for music ministry participants
● Innovate music ministry as capacity and congregational engagement allows
● Send Director of Administration payment details for Accompanist and guest musicians
Professional Development
● Build and maintain a professional and collaborative network with UU and other musicians locally and nationally
● Attend annual Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries conferences if possible
Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree in music or comparable knowledge and experience
● Experience in leading choirs
● Experience preparing and performing music from diverse genres drawing from both religious and secular traditions
● Familiarity and comfort with UU values and the eclectic body of UU music preferred.
● Ability to play additional instruments (piano, guitar, percussion, etc) preferred
● Strong singing and song-leading ability
● Experience leading worship in a religious setting
● Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Additional details
People with disabilities, people of color, indigenous people, Hispanic/Latinx, and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply. Second Unitarian is committed to developing a diverse and talented staff team. If you are excited about this role, but are unsure whether you meet 100% of the requirements, we encourage you to inquire and/or apply.