Bolton Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is seeking a skilled and faithful Organist to support and enhance our weekly worship through thoughtful hymn leadership and organ music.
Our congregation values traditional sacred music that invites participation, reverence, and joy in worship. The Organist will play a central role in shaping the musical life of the congregation by selecting hymns and providing organ music for services.
InstrumentThe church is equipped with a 3-manual Allen ADC digital organ, a high-quality digital instrument designed for church worship.
- Three manuals with full pedalboard and 54 drawknob stops, plus a full library of digital cards for alterable stops
- Wide range of traditional organ voices and stop combinations
- Capable of supporting both congregational hymn leadership and solo repertoire
- Suitable for classical, liturgical, and contemporary sacred music
The instrument is well-maintained and supports flexible registration for a variety of worship styles.
Primary Responsibilities
The Organist will:
- Provide music for Sunday worship services at 9:30 AM
- Choose and play a prelude, postlude, and 3–5 congregational hymns, doxology, communion pieces etc. each week, and on the times the choir director is away, an offertory piece for that Sunday with the potential to accompany the choir periodically on pieces with increased stipend for these Sundays.
- Select hymns for worship services in collaboration with the Pastor at minimum 4 weeks prior to the worship service*.
- Prepare and practice music to ensure high-quality leadership in worship
- Provide music for special services throughout the church year, including but not limited to:
- Christmas Eve Services
- Holy Week services
- Easter
- Other occasional special worship services agreed upon in advance
- Coordinate with the Pastor regarding service themes, liturgical seasons, and musical needs
- Contract with replacement organists during times of illness or vacation in concert with the Pastor.
Weddings and Funerals
The Organist will have first right of refusal for all weddings and funerals held at the church that require organ music.
- Music selections for these services will follow predefined hymn and sacred music guidelines established by the church.
- Compensation for weddings and funerals is separate from the annual salary and paid directly to you from the families utilizing set fees of the church that are agreed upon by yourself and the church in advance.
- All Weddings and Funerals require organ music per BCC, UCC Bylaws and Guidelines. .
Qualifications
Qualified candidates should demonstrate:
- Experience playing digital organs or pipe Organs, of this size and complexity, in a church setting
- Ability to lead congregational singing confidently
- Familiarity with traditional Christian hymnody
- Ability to select appropriate hymns that support worship themes
- Strong sight-reading and preparation skills
- Reliability and professionalism
- Ability to collaborate with pastoral staff
- Ability to utilize all functionality of this type of organ.
Preferred but not required:
- Formal training in organ performance or sacred music
- Previous experience serving in a United Church of Christ Setting
Compensation
- Salary: $300+ per service not including funerals and Weddings (Negotiable), depending on experience and education, for the base of 52-56 services per year
- Payment schedule : By Weekly
- Additional compensation available for weddings, funerals, and services above those discussed during the yearly offer.
- Paid vacation, sick time etc per the employee handbook and state of CT guidelines.
Time Commitment
Typical weekly commitment includes:
- Sunday worship at 9:30 AM, arrival and completion of warm up prior to 9:15 AM
- Preparation and practice time
- Communication with the Pastor regarding hymn selections
Estimated average commitment: 3-5 hours per week, varying with the church season and your individual practice time.
About the Church
Bolton Congregational Church, UCC, is a welcoming and vibrant congregation committed to meaningful worship, community engagement, and spiritual growth. Music plays a vital role in our worship life, and we value the leadership of skilled musicians who help inspire congregational participation. Our church values the warm tones and grandeur of the Organ, and as such has a policy in place that Organ music is required at all liturgical worship and special service of the church.
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
- Resume to [email protected]
- Brief description of organ experience
- Optional recordings or references
- More information and online application at https://www.boltonucc.org/job-oppurtunities/
Pay: $19,000.00 - $24,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
