Open Staff Positions

For application details, please email Pam@mtpisgahgso.org and include the job title.

Position Title:                Organist

Reports To:                Director of Music 

Date Approved:           

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

Job Description

Position: Organist/Accompanist 

Part time, 10-15 hours/week.  During higher worship seasons, such as Christmas and Easter, the hours required will increase with added rehearsals and/or worship services. During the summer months, when the choir is not rehearsing and there are rarely extra services, the hours will decrease.  

  • Serves as organist for two Sunday morning worship services at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM.

  • Occasional joint services with blended music. (Praise & Worship and Traditional)   .

  • Selects and plays music for preludes and postludes.

  • Plays for additional services throughout the year. 

  • Serves as rehearsal accompanist for weekly chancel choir rehearsals on Thursdays from 7:15-8:45 PM and on Sunday mornings at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM.

  • Holds two office hours/week to meet with Director of Music.

Service music generally includes prelude, hymns, call to prayer, choral anthem/special music during the offertory, choral response, postlude, and monthly communion.  Must be able to improvise as necessary to fill any additional space during the service

Prelude and postlude titles with composer must be submitted to the Director of Music in a timely manner.  Selections should correspond to the liturgical calendar.

Services include Good Friday Tenebrae, Easter Sunrise service, Christmas Eve services, occasional choir concerts, recitals, etc. as well as any additional worship services scheduled by the pastoral staff.

Additional rehearsals to prepare for special services, programs, with soloists, or other groups as needed. Arrive at least 15 minutes before any choir call time.

Attendance at monthly worship planning on Wednesday morning is preferred.

Meet with Director of Music and to plan and prepare for upcoming services/events as well as to review the Sunday bulletin.

Funeral/Wedding Policy:

    The organist/accompanist has first right of refusal for church funerals and weddings, unless the family specifically requests another musician.  Funeral compensation for church members is paid for by Mount Pisgah UMC whereas wedding pay, as stated in the wedding policy, is the responsibility of the family and set by the organist/accompanist.  It is the organist/accompanist’s responsibility to collect wedding pay.

Qualifications:

  • Proficient as accompanist and service-player

  • Ability to sight-read piano, organ, and choral repertoire

  • Ability to play choral parts and open score

  • Flexible and able to work as part of a team

  • Familiarity with Methodist liturgy is a plus

Degree(s) in music and minimum of three years experience preferred

Expectations:

  • Be a team player by being supportive of decisions made by supervisor and leadership.

  • Be prompt in returning phone calls, voice mails, emails, and texts.

  • Maintain confidentiality.

  • Social media, emails, and texts – Employees are a reflection of the church that employs them, and that follows them both inside and outside of work. When deciding what to share on social media, employees should use common sense, respect the relationship with their employer and be careful of the image of themselves that is being shared including online, emails and texts.

  • Be a devoted Christian, and a role model for children and youth.

Leave Time:        Refer to Personnel Policy