MUSIC AT NORTH CHAPEL
Upcoming Concerts
The Chamber Music Series Continues at North Chapel
Here is the schedule for 2025
April 13 Visha Nguyen Voskresenskii (piano)
May 18 Carol Ou (cello) and Yu-Mei Wei (piano)
June 15 Olga Vinokur (piano)
September 21 Liana Branscome and Sami Merdinian (violins)
October 19 Champlain Piano Trio
November 16 Aristo Sham (piano)
And, here is the schedule for 2026!
April 26 Rawlins Piano Trio
May 17 Carol Ou (cello) and friends
June 7 Jonathan Cohler (clarinet) and Rasa Vitkauskaite (piano)
September 13 Adaskin String Trio and Tom Gallant (oboe)
October 25 Diana Fanning (piano)
November 15 Marie-Elaine Gagnon (cello) and Alessandra Feris (piano)
Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Our Chamber Music Concert Series Continues
Join us on Sunday, June 15th at 2pm in the Sanctuary
Search for a New Music Director
We are sad to see Diane Mellinger retire after decades as the Director of Music at North Chapel.
On June 29, 2025,her last Sunday morning with the choir, Diane will be reflecting on “the people and times” of her tenure.
Now, we are looking for someone to take on her role. Please share this information:
Job Posting
The North Universalist Chapel Society (NUCS) of Woodstock, VT is hiring a part-time Music Director to begin September 1, 2025. The Music Director accompanies the choir on piano or organ and performs music from multiple genres as part of our Sunday worship services.
NUCS, also known as North Chapel, is a Unitarian Universalist congregation of 180 members that welcomes all to build a loving community to support each person’s spiritual journey. We have a thriving ministry including worship and music, pastoral care, spiritual exploration, and social and environmental justice.
The Music Director job responsibilities include the following:
Plans a program of choral/keyboard music for worship services year-round including Christmas Eve, with eight Sundays of vacation.
Directs and accompanies the choir during rehearsals (90 minutes one evening per week, 45 minutes Sunday morning, reduced schedule mid-June – August) and worship services.
Accompanies hymns and provides a prelude and postlude for each service.
Furnishes the church office with the titles of choral/keyboard pieces to be used each week for the Order of Service.
Confers with the minister regarding the music program of the church.
Attends monthly worship/music committee meetings and annual meeting every January.
Orders, files, and maintains sheet music, working within the music budget.
Communicates with choir members and seeks out new members regularly.
Arranges for special music (often local guest musicians) during non-choir Sundays. Arranges for special & service music when absent on the eight vacation Sundays.
Works with guest musicians if needed and when possible.
Facilitates maintenance of the piano (tunings, humidifier).
Will spend approximately 10 hours weekly performing above duties.
It is understood that when marriage and funeral services are held in the church and organ music is desired, the Music Director will be invited to play at these services, unless arrangements are made with him/her for the use of another qualified organist/musician.
Performance reviews for the Music Director will be conducted annually by the Board. For new hires, a performance review will be held after the first 60 days of employment. Although the main purpose of the performance review is to give the Music Director helpful feedback, the Board will jointly decide on yearly reappointment based on this review.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Skills/Knowledge
Skilled and fluent in piano performance in a wide variety of both classical and popular musical styles.
Demonstrated competence and experience accompanying and collaborating with other musicians.
Strong sight-reading ability.
Experience
Some Choir Directing Experience is required.
Some experience playing a pipe organ, or an eagerness to learn.
COMPENSATION
Total annual compensation of $14,000 commensurate with experience (based on hourly rate of up to $35 hour for 10 hrs/wk for 10 months).
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please send the following items to NUCS administrative assistant, Joanne Boyle jm.boyle57@gmail.com with the subject “Music Director.”
A cover letter explaining your motivation to apply, interest in the position, and relevant skills and experience
Resume
Digital file or link to performance recordings
Two professional, and two personal references
Applications are due by close of business on Monday, June 30th and will be accepted until the position is filled.
The North Universalist Chapel Society is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from people of all genders, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of our staff.
North Chapel is located at 7 Church Street, Woodstock, VT 05091 - www.northchapelvt.org
Add Your Music to Our Sunday Services!
We are always looking for new musicians to provide music for the Sunday services, especially in the summer. If this is something you'd like to do, please email Diane Mellinger, Music Director at vermontdianem@aol.com .
Music plays an important role in the North Chapel. Our talented choir is led by Music Coordinator Diane Mellinger.
In addition, Sunday morning service sometimes finds one or more local or professional musicians performing with, or substituting for, the choir.
The North Chapel sanctuary is an inviting musical venue with wonderful acoustics. Many classical music performances occur here throughout the year.
Choir
The North Chapel has a very vibrant choir that provides music for most Sundays .
The group is fun and caring, and all experience levels are welcome with no audition.
During this time of online services, we are rehearsing via Zoom every Wednesday night from 7:00-8:00 PM.
Music in our Sanctuary
We have the North Chapel Classical Music Series on Sunday afternoons in the Spring and the Fall.
Local art organizations Pentangle, Barnarts and Artistree also hold concerts in our sanctuary.
And, we have the annual Thayer Organ Recital each summer. Look for the announcaments!
Thayer Organ
Since 1956 our organ has been nationally known by organ enthusiasts as unique for its bright sound and musical flexibility.
It is very unusual that an organ built in 1875 should be so strident.
How does one explain this organ and why is it in Woodstock?
Outdoor Concerts - Music By The River - 2021
The concerts held on the back lawn of North Chapel were enjoyed by the whole community.
These free events were offered through a partnership with Pentangle Council on the Arts.
In the future these concerts will be at the East End Park.
Here is the note from Alita, Director of Pentangle:
Friends:
Our Board of Trustees met and decided that we need to move Music By the River to the East End Park (should our permit be approved by the trustees) for the following reasons:
More space for folks to spread out and for kids to run around and not interrupt the program.
Accessibility for folks with mobility issues.
Sound complaints from River Street. We are hopeful the roster will appeal to younger families especially if they can roam around and not feel boxed in with the kiddos.
Additionally, it supports this wonderful public space that so many volunteers have struggled to make a reality. This in NO way is a reflection on our working relationship and positive good will we have with the folks at the North Chapel.
I have no reason to think we will have issues with permit approval but will let you know so you can free up those dates.
With gratitude,
Alita
Contact us.
North Universalist Chapel Society 7 Church Street, Woodstock VT 05091 Directions/Map
Minister: Rev. Dr. Leon Dunkley can be reached by calling or texting 802-369-5104.
Music Director: Diane Mellinger can be reached at 802-234-6619 or vermontdianem@aol.com
Administrative Assistant: Joanne Boyle can be reached at 802-369-9838 or northchapelcommunications@gmail.com