What are the responsibilities and job description for the Organist/Choirmaster position at St. Paul's Episcopal Church?
Overview: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newnan, GA is seeking an Organist/Choirmaster to lead our music ministry. The Organist/Choirmaster plays for and directs the adult parish choir for all Sunday services, plays for and directs the choir for special services throughout the year, plays for weddings and funerals, as needed, conducts Wednesday evening adult choir rehearsals, accompanies the children’s choir, and oversees all administrative aspects of the music program.
About the music ministry: St. Paul’s has a long history of excellence in liturgy and music. The adult parish choir consists of approximately 20 members who provide music for worship at all Sunday services throughout the choir season (August-Pentecost) and special services throughout the year. The repertoire for the group includes hymns from the 1982 Episcopal Hymnal, anthems in a wide variety of styles, and the unique choral tradition of Anglican and Plainsong Chant of the Psalms.
The choir is supported by 4 staff singers who help lead each section and assist with rehearsal. Additionally, the choir is supported by a music associate who directs the children’s choir, accompanies the choir on piano, and assists the director with administrative duties. It is also supported by a volunteer who assists with arranging & engraving choral and instrumental music.
The music ministry includes a children’s choir, handbell choir, accompanying instrumental ensembles for special services, and music performances by staff & guest artists.
About the instrument: The Organ is an Allen model R380 Renaissance I Digital organ installed in 2003, and is in excellent working condition. It is a 3-manual digital organ with installation space available for traditional pipes. It is equipped with a transposer, an Allen MDS-Expander, and an Allen Smart Recorder. The Organ is supported and serviced by Allen Organ Studios of Atlanta.
About St. Paul’s Newnan: St. Paul’s is an active and growing Episcopal parish that seeks to serve Christ both in our parish and in the surrounding community. We view the Holy Eucharist, the sacrament of Christ's body and blood, as the principal act of Christian worship - and the Organist/Choirmaster is an integral member of St. Paul’s liturgies.
About the City of Newnan: Newnan is a vibrant and fast-growing community located 40 miles southwest of Atlanta. It boasts historic architecture, plentiful dining, shopping and recreational opportunities, and an excellent school system. With its close proximity to Atlanta, it is a short drive from all of the cultural activities in the city, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Fox Theater, and the Atlanta Ballet - as well as numerous museums and art galleries. Newnan is also 30 miles from The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which offers non-stop service to 245 destinations across the country and the globe.
Qualifications for the position
- Bachelor of Music degree required. Major in organ performance preferred.
- Excellent performance skills, technique, and musicality.
- Excellent choral pedagogy and rehearsal technique.
- Extensive experience in sacred music and knowledge of a wide variety of hymnody.
- Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience as a church Organist/Choirmaster is preferred.
- Understanding and familiarity with worship and liturgy in the Episcopal Church is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Play and direct for all church worship services, both regular and additional as directed by the Rector.
- Accompany and direct weekly Wednesday evening and Sunday morning choir rehearsals and additional choir rehearsals throughout the choral season.
- Accompany Children’s choir during services.
- Play, direct, and assist in planning the music for funerals/memorial services and weddings conducted in the Nave. If unavailable, identify and schedule a supply musician. Compensation for funerals/memorial services and weddings is in addition to the regular salary.
- Oversee all administrative aspects of the music program. This includes supervising all music staff (music associate/children’s choir director and staff singers); supervising the use of church organs/pianos and other instruments; overseeing the maintenance/maintenance schedule of/for all church instruments; and coordinating the use of the facilities for non-service-related music performances at the church.
- Enter all music used in worship services into the service planning document as well as the licensing/copyright organizations’ reporting website.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Rector.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $30,000.00 - $40,000.00 per year
Expected hours: 20 – 30 per week
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Salary : $30,000 - $40,000