Church of the Nativity seeks an Organist/Choirmaster who appreciates the full breadth and depth of musical expression within the Episcopal Church. Our successful music program is rooted in The Hymnal 1982, but we seek to expand our musical expression using newer resources such as the LEVAS II hymnal, Wonder, Love and Praise, and Voices Found. We also will prioritize applicants who have familiarity with new composers, and who are comfortable working with a choir and a congregation to expand their musical repertoire and enliven our common life and worship.
Description
The Organist/Choirmaster (“Organist”) administers the music program, serves as organist for all worship services, directs the adult choir, and assists the Rector with liturgical planning as needed.
Timeline
We desire to have a candidate in place by the middle of June in order to begin preparing for the church program year which begins in early September.
Reporting
The Organist reports directly to the Rector. The Organist may address concerns regarding the job description, support, and feedback with the Rector, Senior Warden, or Vestry representative, as well as the Diocesan Canon for the East Region. There will be an annual performance review with the Rector and a member of Vestry annually in January.
Type
Half-time (20 hours / week)
Compensation
Expected compensation will be between $20,000 – $30,000 depending on experience. This includes three weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO), including Sundays, and 1 additional week for continuing education. Vacation time should be cleared at least 30 days in advance with the Rector and noted on the Nativity Google calendar. Sick leave is in addition to this at the discretion of the Rector. Medical and retirement benefits are not included at this time. Funerals, weddings and other non scheduled services are compensated extra at $350 per service.
Time Required
The Organist is expected to serve at all worship services (detailed below), which are considered work times. The Organist will also be expected to hold consistent office hours as determined in conversation with the Rector, and be available via email and phone during the workday Monday through Thursday.
The Organist will attend and participate in weekly staff meetings. The Organist will also meet individually with the Rector for liturgical and communications planning as needed, at a mutually agreed upon time.
Please see Appendix A (Holiday Schedule) for details about Nativity’s observed office holidays.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Plan and oversee, in consultation with the Rector, all music (hymns, service music, choral music, voluntaries, etc) for worship in the parish, including for:
- Weekly Sunday 10:30 am services
- Advent Service of Healing (7 pm)
- Advent Lessons and carols (not presently observed, but potentially in the future)
- Christmas Eve (currently 4 pm and 9 pm)
- Christmas Day (10 am, optional)
- Ash Wednesday (12 pm and 7 pm)
- Maundy Thursday (7 pm)
- Good Friday (12 pm)
- Easter Vigil (not presently observed, but potentially in the future)
- Easter Sunday (currently two identical morning services: 9 am and 11 am)
- Funerals / burials / weddings
- Other Diocesan and Parish events as required
- Supporting and expanding our ‘Liturgy and the Arts’ musical offerings.
- Assist with other liturgical planning as directed by the Rector
- Input music choices into the liturgy planning spreadsheets in a timely manner, as agreed upon with the Rector
- Maintain and develop our relationship with NCCMI (North Carolina Chamber Music Institute)
- Manage the music library for Church of the Nativity, identifying and purchasing new selections that speak to the needs of the Church today and the abilities and charisms of our choir and music program
- Serve as consultant for music selections for funerals and weddings
- Serve as organist and/or pianist for all worship services requiring music, including playing voluntaries, and accompanying hymns and anthems as appropriate
- Conduct and accompany the adult choir at weekly Thursday evening rehearsals (7pm), at pre-service warmups (one hour prior to services), and during services
- Ensure proper preparation of organ music and superb training of the choir
- Serve as organist for funerals and weddings (additional compensation at $350 per service)
- Find and prepare substitute organists as needed
- Prepare annual music budget
- Schedule instrument maintenance (2-manual, 20-stop Andover pipe organ and Schimmel grand piano), note all maintenance concerns, and liaise with technicians
For more on our instrument click here: https://www.andoverorgan.com/organs.new.115.php
- Liaise with external instrumentalist and singers as necessary
- Funerals
- NCCMI groups for playing in services (Christmas Eve 4 pm, and others as needed)
- Prepare music-related communications as necessary, in consultation with Rector and Communications Team
How To Apply
To apply please submit a resume and cover letter, and links to any performances or other recordings you would like to share, and Email The Rev. Grey Maggiano.