Waterloo First United Methodist Church (WFUMC) is seeking to add one or more highly qualified individuals to its music ministries team. The church is seeking an organist and a chancel choir accompanist, or a combination organist/chancel choir accompanist. The requirements for each job are set forth below.
Waterloo First United Methodist Church is a community of faith that is committed to following Christ as we love our God and our neighbors as ourselves. The United Methodist theme of, “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.,” represents our core values of radical hospitality, grace-filled inclusivity, and a being a welcoming environment for all people. Music is a vital part of our church mission. Those who are a part of our musical ministry should have an understanding to our being a progressive, open, and affirming church.
Applicants should indicate in their resume/application their interest in either: 1) chancel choir accompanist, 2) organist, or 3) combination chancel choir accompanist/organist. Regardless of whether one applicant is hired for both jobs or two separate applicants are hired for one of the two specific job, the applicants hired will become vital parts of the music ministries team and will work collaboratively with the Senior Pastor and Director of Music.
Questions, Resumes and Applications should be mailed to: [email protected]
The Ideal Candidate will:
- Collaborate with the Sr. Pastor and Director of Music in worship planning and music programming.
- Be prepared for rehearsals and worship each week.
- Be adaptable to many musical styles, traditions, and have the ability to work with various instrumental musicians for worship.
- Chancel Choir Accompanist: Be available for the one hour 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening rehearsal and the one half hour 9:00a.m. Sunday morning at rehearsal, and for the 9:30 a.m. one hour Sunday worship service during the music year which typically runs from late August until mid to late May. Further details for this job are set forth beginning on page 2.
- Organist: Be available to play for the one hour 9:30a.m. Sunday worship service for up to 48 weeks of the year as well as for the seasonal worship services of Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve.
- Further details for this job are set forth beginning on page 3.
- Organist/Chancel Choir Accompanist:
- Be available for 7:00 p.m. one hour Wednesday evening and 9:00a.m. one half hour Sunday morning rehearsals and and to accompany the chancel choir at the one hour 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship service during the music year which typically runs from late August until mid to late May.
- Be available to play the organ and other keyboards as necessary for the one hour 9:30a.m. Sunday worship service for up to 48 weeks of the year as well as for the seasonal worship services of Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve.
Further details are the combination of requirements set forth on pages 2 (Chancel Choir Accompanist Qualifications) and 3.( Organist Qualifications).
Chancel Choir Accompanist Qualifications:
- Demonstrate excellent keyboard skills using the piano and keyboards during worship services and choir rehearsals.
- Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and ability to plan and implement worship music corresponding to the theme of the day (lectionary or otherwise) (i.e. prelude / postlude / offertory / communion).
- Demonstrate knowledge and appropriate use of various Christian musical traditions.
- Provide keyboard accompaniment for the weekly traditional service that encourages and enhances congregational singing (i.e. liturgy / hymns / songs with congregational singing)
- Demonstrate effective leadership and communication skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in worship team ministry.
- Excellent accompanist skills for congregational singing, choral music rehearsals, and vocal/instrumental musicians.
- Proficiency or skills in working with other instruments is preferred, but not essential for the job.
The Candidate Will:
- Work with the worship team to collectively provide music for Sunday 9:30am worship services as well as seasonal worship services: Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve.
- Accompany the choir during the one hour Wednesday Evening 7:00p.m. and one half hour Sunday 9:00am rehearsals and during the one hour 9:30a.m.Sunday worship services.
- Arrange for and supervise instrument maintenance in collaboration with the church office with the knowledge and approval of the Director of Music.
- The Senior Pastor will also recommend the keyboardist/accompanist for weddings, memorial services/funerals that are held at the church. This is not required but will have first chance at any such event. Honorariums by families are paid to the keyboardist/accompanist directly and are not part of normal salary.
- During an absence, work with church staff and music director to provide a substitute keyboardist.
- The position pays hourly for the rehearsal and performance times. The negotiated range of pay is from $50-$75/hour depending upon skill level.
Organist Qualifications
- Demonstrate excellent keyboard skill using the 3 manual, 24 rank, Moller Organ
- Organ: A Moeller, 3 manual, 24 rank initially installed in 1957, and underwent substantial refurbishment in 2017.
- Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and ability to plan and implement worship music corresponding to the theme of the day (lectionary or otherwise) (i.e. prelude / postlude / offertory / communion)
- Demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of various Christian musical traditions. Provide keyboard accompaniment (organ and piano) for the weekly traditional service that encourages and enhances congregational singing (i.e. liturgy / hymns / songs with congregational singing)
- Demonstrates effective communication and leadership skills.
- Demonstrates the ability to work effectively in worship team ministry.
- Excellent accompanist skills for congregational singing, periodic choral music rehearsals, and periodic solo vocal/instrumental musicians.
- Proficiency or skills with other instrumentals is preferred but not necessary for the job.
The Candidate Will:
- Work with the worship team to collectively provide music for Sunday 9:30am worship services as well as seasonal worship services: Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve.
- Provide appropriate worship service music and accompany congregational singing.
- Periodically accompany the choir during a Wednesday evening 7:00p.m. rehearsal and a 9:30am Sunday worship service and periodically accompany solo vocal/instrumental musicians.
- Arrange for and supervise instrument maintenance in collaboration with the church office with the knowledge and approval of the Director of Music.
- The Senior Pastor will also recommend the organist/accompanist for weddings, memorial services/funerals that are held at the church. This is not required but will have a first chance at any such event. Honorariums by families are paid to the keyboardist/accompanist directly and are not part of normal salary.
- During an absence, work with church staff and music director to provide a substitute keyboardist.
- The position pays hourly for the performance times. It is our intent to pay a negotiated competitive rate as dictated by experience and skill level
Pay: $50.00 - $150.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
