Music Director

Who We Are:

The Crossing, a congregation of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Episcopal), is a progressive, emergent, worshipping community in Downtown Crossing, Boston. We are an unlikely band of pilgrims and heretics,” students and artists, mystics and activists following the radical and subversive way of Jesus. Sharing our lives with each other, we are transformed into the likeness of Christ and filled with God’s passion and power. We strive to live with authenticity and intentionality, to be a community of and with the marginalized and excluded, and to embody the love, beauty, and justice of God in the city of Boston. 

Music We Love :

The Crossing draws from a variety of musical genres, including pop, gospel, jazz, chant, and traditional hymnody, and places a high emphasis on congregational singing and involving musicians from the community as much as possible. 

Position Description:

The Music Director is responsible for leading the band and the congregation in engaging worship music every week during our Thursday night worship. They are also responsible for leading rehearsals, hiring band members with collaboration/approval of the priest, being involved in the planning of worship, and overall supervision of the band. Musicians are responsible for finding their own subs; Music Director is back up on this. The priest will serve as the Music Director’s direct supervisor; there are regular supervisory meetings. The Crossing Music Director is invited to collaborate on occasion with other Cathedral worship events (for additional compensation). 

Responsibilities: 

● Lead music at our weekly, Thursday night worship from 7:00-8:15pm (2 hrs/wk) ○ Lead music rehearsals starting at 6:15pm ○ Facilitate full participation in music by the entire gathered congregation ○ Play one of the instruments or vocals in the band 

● Develop engaging, dynamic, diverse music selections for the season’s worship schedule. (2 hours/wk) ○ Music selections made and sent out by Tuesday 5pm of each week. ○ Arrange music for band ○ Upload music to shared Music Folder in Crossing Drive 

● Supervise members of the band (<1 hr week, part of Thurs work) ○ Work with musicians to find substitutes when necessary ○ Work with worship team & priest on hiring new musicians 

● Collaborate with Worship Team (<1 hr week) ○ Participate in worship planning meeting, once a month (30min per month) ○ Respond to worship team questions, as needed ● 5 hours a week Requirements 

● High level of skill in leading congregational singing 

● Ability to draw people into the spirit of the music 

● Ability to read sheet music. 

● Ability to improvise. 

● Familiarity with one or more traditions of Christian worship. 

● Familiarity with leading a band (piano, bass, drums, vocals). 

● Flexibility and collaborative attitude 

● Wide repertoire and familiarity with a variety of musical genres 

Preferred Qualities 

● Ability to play by ear and transpose on the fly. 

● Facility with one or more accompaniment instruments, especially piano or guitar. 

● Ability to compose and write parts 

Compensation 

● $300 week 

● When there are special occasions (e.g. Easter) or required trainings, there will be additional compensation at same rate. 

Position paid as independent contractor 

Two month probationary period 

Employment is at-will 

TO APPLY: Send resume, short cover letter or email, and sample/clip of your music to lsteinhauser@diomass.org. There will be a short interview, try-out process this summer. Position begins September 2025.