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PBPC is seeking a part-time accompanist to provide organ and piano music for one Sunday worship service each week and accompany the choir during rehearsals and worship, working with the Music Director.  PBPC is an established congregation with worship and music blended into a mix of contemporary and traditional aspects. The ideal candidate will be a spiritually committed Christian with excellent organ and piano skills and experience working in church music settings. The organist works closely and reports to the music Director. 

Our sanctuary instruments are a 2 manual, 26 rank Simpson Pipe organ and a Yamaha baby Grand.

Responsibilities:

• Support the church’s worship environment through the well-prepared execution of music presented by the choir.
• Practice and have all musical material prepared in advance of each rehearsal, worship, or special service.
• Serve as organist and Choir accompanist for the sanctuary choir:
• regular Thursday night rehearsals
• warm-us for worship on Sunday mornings
• Sunday Morning worship service (currently at 10 am).
• occasional Saturday special rehearsals  (2x year max)
• Play for special worship services within the church calendar.  (Maundy Thursday, Christmas Eve, etc)
• Seasonal services including Holy Week, Ash Wed, and Christmas Eve.  
• Any special programs, community events, or ecumenical services as planned by the Pastor or the Music Committee, as available.
• Provide (Plan and perform) liturgically-appropriate preludes and postlude weekly and communion music (once a month) as requested by Director of Music. Plan, select, and prepare preludes, postludes, and offertories according to the needs of the worship services. 
• Submit prelude and postlude selections (music titles, composers, and copyright information)  for inclusion in the Orders of Worship to the Director of Music and Office Manager in a timely manner.  
• The work is done cooperatively, especially with the Director of Music.  Coordinate monthly with the Music Director to discuss music for the month.
• Follow the guidance from the Choir Director for music tempo, dynamics, and other necessary directions.
• Assist the Director of Music in finding a substitute for Sundays when not available. 
• When unplanned events necessitate changes, communicate them immediately.
• Play for or have first refusal for weddings and funerals when a piano or organ is requested.  Compensation will be provided by the parties involved with the weddings and funerals.
• Maintain an accurate account of piano/organ needs and maintenance and notify the Director of Music

Qualifications:

• A disciple of Jesus Christ, committed to growing in faith
• Excellent organ and piano playing skills as demonstrated at hiring audition.
• Experience working in church worship and familiarity with standard hymns.  Experience accompanying church choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists is preferred.
• Solid keyboard ability to play hymns and anthems to accompany the choir and other musicians in the performance of music.  Music degree in Piano or Organ Performance is preferred but not required.
• Is comfortable playing both piano and organ in a range of musical styles.
• Knowledge of worship tradition and a sufficient liturgical understanding to choose appropriate music to connect with liturgical and seasonal worship themes and sermon topics
• Creatively energizes congregational hymn singing during worship.
• Has strong sight-reading abilities, advanced technical skills, is comfortable working with a conductor, collaborating with a choir, vocal/instrumental soloists, and playing in an ensemble setting.  Ability to sight read and improvise is desired. Ability to sight read music well as chord charts and lead sheets
• Knowledge of basic music theory and ability to perform simple transpositions or re-harmonizations.
• A reliable, clear, and dependable communicator who has the ability to interact and work with a variety of people  in a friendly manner including the church leadership, church choir, and members of the congregation 
• Ability to take direction and work as a team member. 
• Knowledge of the instrument (organ) and oversight for care of church musical equipment.  
• The individual will need to notify the Director of Worship a minimum of three weeks prior to planned absences (Preferably as soon as known) to allow for scheduling of a substitute.
• Willing to rehearse sufficiently to maintain a high quality of music.

Applicants are invited to contact Mr. Tony Daskalakis, Director of Discipleship Ministry by calling

619-321-9457 or by email at tony@pbpres.org

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES/PRINCIPAL ORGANIST

The First United Methodist Church San Diego, a large, vital and progressive congregation in one of America's most desirable cities, announces the opening for a Director of Music Ministries and Principal Organist. The position is full-time with a generous benefits package and encompasses a wide range of administrative and musical responsibilities.

Working in close coordination with the Director of Choral Activities and the pastoral team, the Director of Music Ministries and Principal Organist has direct involvement in and oversight of a program that includes several weekly services, multiple choirs and an extensive and widely respected music and arts series. The church's two pipe organs, both built by L.W. Blackinton and Associates, are at the beating heart of the church's music program and are prominent fixtures on the Southern California cultural scene.

All interested applicants can obtain a full job description and the list of application materials at www.fumcsd.org/resources/employment-opportunities. For full consideration, the deadline for application materials is August 1, 2024. The application period will remain open until the position is filled.

The annual salary range is $70,000 - $83,000 with opportunities for additional remuneration.

Bruce Neswick is serving as the consultant to the search committee, and he may be reached at bneswick@gmail.com.

Primary Responsibilities:

● Plan, coordinate, and select parish music, and serve as primary leader of music in worship

● Play organ and lead the music for the weekly Holy Eucharist on Sundays, 10 a.m., for the major feasts of the liturgical year (Christmas, Epiphany, Holy Week, Easter Triduum, etc.), and also for the Tuesday, 8 a.m., Chapel service for Christ Church Day School.

● Direct and rehearse adult choir. The choir sings from the Sunday after Labor Day through Trinity Sunday at the 10 a.m. weekly Eucharist, as well as on Christmas Eve, at services during Holy Week, and for other occasional celebrations. The adult choir rehearses once on a weekday evening (typically Thursday) for 1.5 hours, and for 30-45 minutes before services.

● Supervise choir section-leaders and other musicians.

Minimum Qualifications:

● Bachelor's degree in Sacred Music, Choral Music, or Organ Performance; or the equivalent

● Substantial experience in and knowledge of liturgy and music, preferably in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition, or in one of the other liturgical traditions (Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Moravian, etc.).

● Experience selecting hymns appropriate for the weekly liturgies (in consultation with the rector), and knowledge of sacred choral music appropriate for the various liturgical times of the year and suitable for a small church choir. 

● Knowledge of effective choral rehearsal techniques and experience directing a small-sized choir.

● Advanced organ playing skills for leading hymns and accompanying choral, vocal, and instrumental music.

● Commitment to working respectfully, collaboratively, and congenially with clergy, staff, and lay members in a welcoming parish environment.

● Willingness and commitment to broaden the range of musical styles employed in worship.

Desirable Additional Qualifications and Skills:

● Ability to improvise organ interludes, preludes, etc., as needed.

● Motivation and ability to welcome the local public to Christ Church through music.

● Imagination, energy, and organizational skills to grow the parish music program in uncharted new directions.

● Ability to plan and publish the schedule of hymns and anthems 2-3 months in advance to the choir and to office administrative staff for service leaflets. 

● Knowledge of how to maintain a budget and track budgetary spending, including expenses related to the upkeep of the organ and the church carillon. 

Anticipated Time Commitment of Position:

20 hours per week, flexible schedule

Compensation Range: From $40,000 to $45,000 annually, depending on the experience and qualifications of the successful applicant.

Other Considerations:

● Funds budgeted for choir section leaders and instrumentalists.

● Potential for hiring an assistant organist or other music assistant

● Weddings and funerals: As parish organist the Director of Music will have right of first refusal for weddings and funerals.

● Future potential to teach music in Christ Church Day School.

● Though this position is described above as a one-person job, there is also the possibility that these responsibilities could be shared by more than one individual.

Please submit resume and letter of interest to the Christ Church Personnel Committee: PC@ChristChurchCoronado.org

Questions? Please call Connie Lawthers at 619-410-3798