Organist / Choir Accompanist

Our Vision: Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World.

Our Mission:Rooted in Christ - Growing in Grace - Reaching out to All

Organist / Pianist Job Description: The organist / choir accompanist position is a vital part-time position supporting First United Methodist Church’s music ministries worship experience.

SKILLS NEEDED: A love of music and a strong desire to share your faith in Christ through music ministry.

• Excellent organ skills—technical dexterity and accuracy; command of the instrument, skillful registrations; improvisatory skills a plus; knowledge of classical organ repertoire
• A true church organist with service-playing experience; ability to play hymns with proficiency and sensitivity; a passion for music ministry.
• Excellent accompanying skills; excellent sight-reading skills; can play open score
• Strong piano skills; ability to play a variety of different musical styles
• Strong sense of commitment to the Church; A team player who works well with others—staff and lay-people; can be flexible.
• A Bachelor degree in music or church music is preferred, but not required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Organist/Pianist for two Sunday Services at 8:00am and 11:00am. Accompany the Chancel Choir at the 11:00am Service.
• Accompany Chancel Choir Rehearsal weekly.
• Provide organ music and choir accompaniments and any extra rehearsal required for additional special services, concerts, choral workshops, or other special events at the discretion of the Music Director or the pastor (see calendar of typical special services attached).
• Update weekly music titles in the Music Worship Planning Google Sheet. The spreadsheet will be shared by the Director of Music.
• Prepare organ or piano accompaniments in advance of choir rehearsals when possible.
• Pray for this ministry and its participants.
• When the organist / choir accompanist is away for vacation, the church will pay for the organ-sub for paid vacation Sundays. It is the responsibility of the organist / choir accompanist to schedule a substitute organist while away. It is necessary to book substitute organists 3 to 6 months in advance or more, depending on the season of the year.
• The organist / choir accompanist may also ask the Music Director to sub as needed. Please inform the Director of Music well in advance of any absence.

EXPECTATIONS:

• To serve as the organist / choir accompanist for the 8:00 worship service and the 11:00 worship service, providing weekly service music including Prelude and Postlude. Accompany or provide an Offertory..
• Be willing to allow others in the congregation and staff to participate occasionally with Prelude, Postlude, Offertory, etc.
• Display spiritual maturity.
• Demonstrate patience with the congregation and with co-workers.
• Accompany Chancel Choir at 11:00 Worship Service and perform all rehearsal duties related to accompanying the choir. This involves providing organ or piano accompaniments at the discretion of the Music Director.
• Accompany any vocal or instrumental soloists or ensembles at the request of the Music Director.
• Accompanist for occasional special services such as Cantatas, Christmas Eve, and Holy Week, Concerts, or other Choral events at the discretion of the Music Director.
• Play for weddings and funerals, as needed. Remuneration for funerals will be paid by the family. Remuneration for weddings is listed in the wedding manual and is paid separately by the church.
• To act as a liaison for the church for wedding music. Discuss with the Music Director any music that is deemed inappropriate for weddings.
• To act as “curator” of the organ, coordinating maintenance/tuning of the organ as required.
• To be a musical representative of First United Methodist Church - Hickory, always presenting a spirit of willingness and cooperation regarding the music department, worship, and the church at large.

TIME REQUIREMENT: Approximately 15 -20 hours per week depending on the season of the church year. These hours include but are not limited to:

• two Sunday Services (8am and 11:00am)
• weekly Chancel Choir rehearsal from 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm Wednesdays and other times as required;
• When preparing for special services (Cantatas, Easter), choir rehearsal is extended 30 minutes during the weeks leading up to the special service.)
• Christmas Cantata preparation also involves an additional weekly rehearsal.
• Individual rehearsal time.

In addition, the organist / choir accompanist can expect to provide service music for occasional special services, concerts, children’s music, choral workshops or other special events at the discretion of the pastor or the Music Director. (A calendar of typical special services is attached.)

TRAINING/CONTINUING ED: Continuing education opportunities may be available at the discretion of the Music Director.

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: The Director of Music

This position requires frequent contact with the Director of Music Ministries for the purpose of coordination and update. Communication is imperative.

Magnitude: What are the areas with measurable results upon which this position has direct or indirect impact? Assisting church worship services by operating smoothly with minimal disruptions.

Areas of Impact: Contributing to a positive FUMC Sunday worship experience.

Compensation and Benefits

This part-time position does not include FUMC benefits; however, refer to FUMC Personnel Policy Guidelines for applicable vacation days. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and is paid bi-monthly.

SALARY Range for Organist / Choral Accompanist: $18,000 - $20,000 commensurate with education and experience.

INVITATION: The person holding this position is invited to participate with the Chancel Ringers if they so choose. This ensemble meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm.

TERMINATION: First United Methodist Church may terminate this Agreement upon providing such notice and severance as set forth in the Employee Handbook. The staff member may terminate this Agreement upon providing two (2) weeks’ written notice.

CONCLUSION: This agreement shall become effective on the hire date and remain in effect through December 31, 2026. Thereafter, it shall continue in effect unless amended by mutual agreement or terminated by either party.

FOR INTERVIEW: Please prepare for demonstration:

• One (1) Song of choice appropriate for Prelude, Offertory, OR Postlude
• One (1) Hymn: Including Introduction, Verse 1, Interlude and Free Harmonization on Last Verse

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To apply, please upload Resume and three (3) References to

Director of Music: Renee Shatley,

_________________ ______________________________

(Date) (Organist / Choir Accompanist Signature)

______________________________ _______________________________

(Music Director Signature) (Pastor Signature)

Organist / Pianist Calendar Addendum of Typical Special Services

January

Feb, Mar, or April

Ash Wednesday Service in the evening. (Presently, music is provided by the Praise Team. In previous years, the service was in the Sanctuary.)

Additional Lenten Services as needed, including, but not limited to, Holy Week Services (Maundy Thursday; Good Friday OR Early Christian Experience; Sunrise Service; Easter Sunday Services at 11:00am). Schedule includes all services and the regular Wednesday Rehearsal. Usually there are no night rehearsals the week after Easter.

May

Confirmation Sunday and Graduation Sunday

June

July

There are no Wednesday night choir rehearsals in July.

August

Camp Meeting in the Pavilion

Chancel Choir Rehearsal resumes at 6:45pm on Wednesday nights.

September

Fall Choral Workshop—we sometimes have a kick-off choral retreat on a Saturday in August or September.

October

We begin extended choir rehearsal in preparation for the Christmas Cantata. We also add a weekly rehearsal as needed in preparation for the Christmas Cantata.

November

The week of Thanksgiving we have Choir Rehearsal on Tuesday night; there is no Wednesday night Choir Rehearsal on the night before Thanksgiving Day.

December

Saturday morning Dress Rehearsal prior to the Christmas Cantata with organ / piano and guest instrumentalists

Cantata Sunday 11:00pm Service—with organ and guest instrumentalists (Call time for run-through TBA by Music Director)

Christmas Eve—two services: 4:30pm—Family Service (Praise Team) 7:00pm Service—with organ, piano and guest instrumentalists (Rehearse at approximately 6:00pm)

We run a regular service with choirs on the first Sunday of Christmastide, but there are no night rehearsals between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Regular rehearsals resume after New Year’s Day.

Pay: $18,000.00 - $22,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18,000 - $22,000