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Position: Organist

Reports to: Director of Music Ministry

Type: Part-time

Job Summary: Be the principal organist who plays the organ and piano for weekly worship and special services.

Qualifications:

1. Experience and proficiency in both classical repertoire and hymnology in organ and piano
2. Experience in a liturgical church is preferred.
3. Ability to work independently (self-starter) and work well with others (team player)
4. Ability to communicate well with the director of music, the senior minister, congregants,
5. and staff members
6. Able to maintain confidentiality
7. Familiar with the Church and its mission
8. College degree in music preferred or the equivalent experience
9. Excellent written and verbal skills

Job Responsibilities:

1. Play the organ or piano for Sunday services at 9:30 AM and occasional The Garden service at 11am, as well as for additional services on Holy Days (Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, etc.)
2. Accompany weekly choir rehearsals (Thursday, 7–9 PM and Sunday, 8:45 AM), rehearse with musicians and soloists as necessary, and prepare for all rehearsals, including choir retreats and special concert rehearsals (twice a year).
3. Provide service music including preludes, postludes, offertories, and music during Communion.
4. Plan, rehearse, and accompany hymns and other musical sections of the service on either organ or piano .
5. Perform in and contribute to the SDUMC Concert Series.
6. Occasionally adapt and accompany choir music on the organ.
7. Maintain organ skills with regular practice to ensure manual and pedal dexterity.
8. Oversee organ maintenance and collaborate with technicians as needed.
9. Accompany memorial services, weddings, and special events, and work with families to
10. plan music for these occasions.
11. Collaborate with the A/V team to ensure balanced sound for effective musical leadership
12. in worship, especially to help with livestream preparation
13. Attend regular music planning meetings with the Director of Music and Senior Minister.
14. Arrange for substitutes during absences, in consultation with the Director of Music.
15. Participate in professional development opportunities, including attending meetings,
16. conferences, and conventions (e.g., American Guild of Organists).
17. Contribute to publicity and communications, including writing the semi-regular "Organ
18. Notes" article for La Paloma.

Salary:

The annual salary range is $24,000 to $28,000 commensurate with education and experience

Application Instruction:

Applications will be reviewed beginning February 1, 2025 and until the position is filled.

All interested candidates are invited to submit the following to Dr. Yewon Lee, Director of Music at yewon@encinitaschurch.com:

1. CV detailing the candidate’s relevant credentials and experience
2. A cover letter (1 page)
3. Links to an online footage of performance and/or hymn accompanying video footage
4. (maximum 20 minutes in length) from within 3 years.
5. The names and contact information for a minimum of two references

Organ Specification:

Schantz Organ 1980 - 33 ranks expanded to 42 ranks (as of 2011) Additions - L.W. Blackinton & Associates

POSITION TITLE: Organist for Heritage (Traditional) Service

POSITION TYPE: Hourly Paid Staff

REPORTS TO: Director of Worship and Technology (DWT)

POSITION OVERVIEW                                                                 

The purpose of this position is to support the DWT in leading our heritage service by providing music played from the organ and organizing volunteer hymn leaders. On occasion, requests to provide organ music or piano music services or events outside of Sunday morning worship will come up.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1. Provide music planning and worship leadership for the Heritage service by playing through aspects of Setting I and II from the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW), working with the pastoral team to plan weekly hymns from the LBW for the service and play them from the organ.
2. Play 3-5 minute pre-service or prelude music, a short postlude, quiet music during the distribution of Communion, and try to incorporate variations on some verses of selected hymns.
3. Maintain a rotation of volunteer hymn leaders to lead the singing of hymns and liturgical elements within the Heritage service, scheduling them a month in advance and aid the DWT to recruit and train new hymn leaders as needed.
4. Select and play hymns for midweek noon services during the seasons of lent and advent as requested.
5. This position will occasionally be requested to play hymns for memorial services and compensation will be provided by the requesting family.
6. Other duties as requested by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. An accomplished musician, preferably within the realm of classical and traditional music.
2. Ability to work with people.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS – should include at least one of the following

1. Leadership
2. Exhortation
3. Creativity

CHARACTER QUALITIES                                                                                                 

1. A person of good character and reputation an active member of a Christian church, attending worship regularly, and having a strong Christian witness.
2. A teachable attitude, constantly learning and growing in musicianship.
3. A person who can maintain a good working relationship with others; one who is a “team-player.”
4. A person who enthusiastically endorses the vision, mission and values of PLC.

TIME

7 hours a week

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Paul Schwappach

Director of Worship and Technology

858-240-0920

pschwappach@plc-church.org