Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between an individual and a congregational UUMN membership in UUMN?
  
  The benefits for each membership type are the same. Regular, contributing and sustaining are all individual memberships offering the opportunity for whatever monetary commitment one chooses. A congregational membership allows one congregation appointed representative as a UUMN member which designation may be transferred as circumstances merit. Many of our congregational members also have individual membership(s) for their music staff. If this is the case the designate member is often the Chair of the Music Committee or equivalent. The congregational membership is a way of publicly affirming the congregation's overall commitment to their music program and music ministry in the wider community. The fee is "suggested" based on the size of the operating budget. It is not necessary to have both an individual and a congregational membership.

• Does UUMN provide salary guidelines for church music staff?
  
  UUMN endorses the UUA Compensation Recommendations for church music staff.

• Our Music Director just resigned and we'd like some guidance as we begin the search process.
  
  UUMN offers "Making Music in Our Congregations - A Handbook for Staffing A Music Program in UU Congregations", available as a free download or one free hard copy to each UUMN member, all others $5@. For ordering information contact UUMN Administrator (uumn@uumn.org). You may also post the job opening on the UUMN web site.

• I am a newly hired Music Director in a UU congregation and though I have musical experience I know nothing about Unitarian Universalism
  
  UUMN has District liaisons who can offer resources and information. Make every effort to attend the annual UUMN summer conference.

• Our Minister and Choir Director do not see eye to eye. We've tried to solve the problem ourselves but with no success. Where do we go from here?
  
  The "Good Offices" program of the UUMN offers experienced church musicians who have undergone professional training to assist in such situations. Click here for more information and a list of Good Officers. The best time to look contact a Good Officer is at the onset of an issue.

• Where can I find choral music suitable for UU choirs?
  
  As part of the annual UUMN summer conference each participant receives a packet of 30 to 40 recommended choral pieces of varying degrees of difficulty. Daily sessions offer the opportunity to read through each piece of music and order or purchase those of your choosing. Lists of choral repertoire from past conferences are on the member portion of our web site.

• Copyright questions?
  
  The UUMN issues the following statement: The UUMN affirms the policy that it is illegal to copy any music in order to avoid purchase. For more info on copyright issues see: (http://www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/143066.shtml) 

UUMN Home  ·  Contact Us
Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network
, Administrator
2208 Henery Tuckers Court
Charlotte, NC 28270
1-800-969-UUMN (8866)