ACCOMPANIST/CHURCH PIANIST
Community of Grace, a Presbyterian Church ACCOMPANIST/CHURCH PIANIST
General Job Description
The Accompanist/Church Pianist plays an important role in the musical life of Community of Grace the Accompanist/Church Pianist provides piano music and accompaniment for weekly worship services and other activities in support of the music ministry of the church.
Specifically, the Accompanist/Church Pianist accompanies the Community of Grace Choir, small ensembles, and soloists, serves as keyboard player for weekly worship services, and assists the Music Director with other musical and administrative tasks as required. Excellent piano skills and experience in choral accompanying are essential for this position. The Accompanist/Church Pianist is a strong team player, working closely with the Music Director, Pastor, church musicians, and volunteers.
Job Classification and Supervision
The Accompanist/Church Pianist reports to the Pastor. Terms and conditions of employment for this and all paid staff positions are set by the Personnel Committee of the Session.
This is a year-round, part-time, salaried position. The position requires approximately 12-15 hours per week from September through June and 7-10 hours per week during the summer. In-person attendance is required for weekly Sunday worship services, Wednesday evening choir rehearsals (from September through June).
Additional time outside of in-person attendance is required to select and prepare all keyboard music for weekly and special services.
Duties and Responsibilities
As Accompanist:
Accompany the Choir during worship services and at weekly Wednesday evening rehearsals from September to June. Rehearse separately as needed with vocal or instrumental soloists or ensembles participating in choir anthems.
Prepare all choir music on piano, including keyboard accompaniment and voice parts, practicing and organizing music in advance to provide professional, high-quality accompaniments at rehearsals and services. Rehearsals typically involve the week’s 3 hymns and scheduled choir anthem, as well as 3-5 anthems to be presented in successive weeks. More music is rehearsed leading up to Christmas Eve and Easter services.
Provide special music and accompaniment at special worship services such as Christmas Cantata Sunday, Christmas Eve, Easter, during Advent and Lent, and at other times (e.g. memorial services) where participation of the Accompanist/Church Pianist is required. Rehearse separately with instrumentalists and other soloists and attend extra rehearsals as necessary. During the summer and when the Community of Grace Choir is not singing, prepare and rehearse with vocal and instrumental soloists to provide special music during weekly worship services.
As Church Pianist:
Serve as Pianist for weekly worship services. Plan with Music Director to share the weekly playing responsibilities for all music required in the service. Prepare, and play preludes, hymns, introits and responses, offertories, music during communion, music during transitions in the service, postludes, and special music.
Play piano as part of the Choir during Sunday worship services at regular intervals during the year. Play keyboard part to be sung by the congregation.
Provide all these skills with minimal rehearsal time.Is responsible for the maintenance of the church’s piano. Schedule tuning every three months for the sanctuary piano (Steinway) with the church’s piano technician, scheduling the visits to ensure piano is in top form for Christmas Cantata, Christmas Eve, Easter, and other worship events. Process billing with church’s accountant to ensure technician is paid promptly.
Coordinate vacations and planned absences with Music Director so that all Sunday services are covered. Help identify substitute pianists who are skilled in choral accompanying and playing worship services who could fill in when necessary.
Skills and Qualifications
Willingness to support the music ministry and the mission of Community of Grace.
Excellent skills and experience as a pianist and a choral accompanist: excellent sight-reading ability; ability to prepare and play multiple choir anthems for weekly choir rehearsals; ability to prepare and play up to 1-3 piano solos and 1-3 hymns that are new every week.
Experience and competence in accompanying vocal and instrumental soloists.
Familiarity with seasons of the church year in order to make appropriate selections for keyboard solos.
Willingness and ability to practice sufficiently to maintain a high quality of music.
The ability to work well with others, adaptability, and flexibility are necessary characteristics.
Salary
$200.00 per week/50 weeks flat rate (Negotiable)
Contact
Qualified applicants should email a cover letter and resume to Community of Grace personnel at personnel@cogarvada.org or administrator@cogarvada.org