Ann Street UMC is a beautiful historic church located in the quaint coastal town of Beaufort, North Carolina.  Ann Street was established in 1778, and the current building was constructed in 1854.  Ann Street UMC’s congregation is vibrant, active, and inclusive, with an average worship attendance of 140 and growing.  The worship style is joyful, meaningful, and informal-traditional. 

   At present, Ann Street UMC is refurbishing and revoicing it’s 1963 Schantz organ.  Upon completion, with the addition of new ranks, we will have grown from 600 to over 1000 pipes.  We are seeking a talented musician with strengths in organ and piano who will be able to utilize the organ to its fullest while supporting and sharing in the highly valued and vital music ministry of the church. 

Position: Church Organist/Pianist for Ann Street United Methodist Church of Beaufort, NC
Reports to: Director of Music

Oversight:  Director of Music and Staff Parish Relations Committee
Status: Part-time

FLSA: Exempt

Salary Range: $18,000 – $22,000 (Open to negotiation dependent upon experience)
Responses: Submit resumes to office@annstreetumc.org

Job Summary:

              The primary focus of this job is to serve as church organist for weekly and special services and as choir accompanist for weekly choir rehearsals and services.

Minimum Qualifications:

A 4-year degree or higher in music is given preference.
Excellent piano playing skills as demonstrated for hiring audition.
Organ performance skills are preferred
Experience in church music settings is preferred
Foundational understanding of and adherence to the Christian faith. 

Physical Requirements:

Able to freely move about the church facility and grounds.

Core Competencies:

This position requires approximately 10-20 hours a week. Time involvement varies greatly throughout the year and is largely dependent on how quickly the individual is able to master the music. Independent practice is a vital aspect of this position. 

Ability to not only play accompaniment for choir, but also vocal lines. 

Sight reading and score reduction skills preferred. 

Interpersonal Relationships. Relates well to all kinds of people, inside and outside of the congregation; builds appropriate rapport; builds effective and constructive relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; is regarded as a team player. 

Trust and Integrity. Is able to communicate honestly and directly. In all things, joyfully flexible. 

Essential Functions:

Weekly:

  For the 10:00am Sunday Worship Service:  Select and play prelude and postlude and play selected music for hymns, choir anthems, etc. as communicated by the Director of Music Ministries and the Pastor.
  Communicate selection titles to the church office via email by 8:00 AM Thursday mornings.
  Prepare and play assigned church hymns on organ during 10:00 AM service. The pastor/and or Director of Music Ministries will select and communicate hymns in advance.
  Accompany the choir on piano during Thursday night rehearsals. Rehearsals are held from 6:30pm – 7:30pm and extend to 8pm during cantata seasons.  Choral anthems will be selected by the Director of Music Ministries and communicated in advance.
  Assist in warming the choir up before the 10:00am service by reporting to choir room prior to the service at time determined by the Director of Music Ministries on Sunday mornings with all needed materials for the day.
   Meet with the Director of Music Ministries and the Pastor for Worship planning at a mutually agreed upon time, initially once a week, then as needed.

  Preparation and practice are ongoing.  Organist/Pianist will have familiarized themselves with all musical material, (hymns, service music, anthems accompaniments and open score) and practiced in advance to a high level of accuracy prior to each rehearsal/performance.
   Attendance at weekly Monday morning Staff Meetings is preferred. 

Monthly:

Additional music prepared and played during communion the first Sunday of every month.

Occasionally:     

Accompany and rehearse with soloists or small groups. Some vocalists will need additional help reading/learning the music.
Prepare and play additional services throughout the year.
Christmas Eve – Ann Street UMC has at present one Christmas Eve service at 5:00 PM
Easter Season – extra musical performances during Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, and Easter.
July 4th Ringing of the Bell Service
As worship needs evolve, additional services are a possibility.
Funerals are the responsibility of the organist.      
At Organist’s discretion, play for Weddings. Weddings earn a stipend of $500.00.
 
Working as a Team:

Collaboration

Planning and implementing worship is a collaborative effort with the goal of aligning the music with the message and theme of the service.  Open communication between the Director of Music Ministries, the Church Organist/Accompanist, and the Pastor is necessary and expected.