Organist

Staff Organist/Accompanist

Reports to: Director for Traditional Music

Status: Part-Time; Exempt. The position averages 12 hours per week; seasonal ebbs and flows allow for some flexibility.

Paid Time Off: 4 weeks (44 hours) of vacation, inclusive of Sundays, plus two additional Sundays off per year (pro-rated first year).

About Us

Grace Lutheran Church of LaGrange is an authentic, vibrant, welcoming community of faith that is seeking to be the heart, hands, feet, and voice of Jesus in the world. The Grace community believes wholeheartedly in Jesus’ radical welcome to all. As a Reconciling in Christ congregation we celebrate and affirm the holy identities of our LGBTQIA+ siblings. We strive to be anti-racist in our communal life.

About You & Your Gifts

The Staff Organist provides skilled organ and piano accompaniment for traditional worship services, choir and other ensemble rehearsals, and special services. The Organist/Accompanist plays in a style that supports and draws out the congregation’s most soulful, participatory singing.

Grace’s next Staff Organist & Piano Accompanist will bring exceptional musical and accompaniment skills and an open, collaborative spirit into a dynamic staff team. Key skills and responsibilities include:

• Understanding and appreciation for the liturgical elements and flow of traditional Protestant Christian worship.
• Demonstrated experience providing organ and piano accompaniment for traditional worship services, ideally in a mainline Protestant tradition.
• Demonstrated experience accompanying rehearsals for vocal and instrumental ensembles and soloists.

Other role responsibilities:

• Attend and contribute to weekly staff meetings and scheduled worship planning team meetings.
• In collaboration with the Director for Traditional Music and the worship planning staff, choose seasonally appropriate hymns, Psalm settings, and liturgical music for traditional worship services.
• Select, prepare, and play appropriate prelude and postlude music, as well as music for the offertory on Sundays when the choir is not singing.
• Accompany weddings and funerals, when available. Additional compensation is provided for such services.
• In consultation with the Director for Traditional Music, arrange for qualified substitutes for worship services and/or rehearsals, as necessary.
• Monitor the care of the organ and the grand piano, alerting the Director for Traditional Music of any maintenance needs.
• Maintain a high level of personal musicianship and professional development with active membership in appropriate professional associations (i.e. American Guild of Organists, Association of Lutheran Church Musicians), and utilization of Grace’s annual professional development support.

General Schedule

• Grace currently holds one traditional worship service each week. Traditional worship is at 9:00am from Labor Day through Memorial Day. During the summer months, our traditional and contemporary service times flip-flop so that traditional worship happens at 10:30.
• Grace’s Sanctuary Choir currently rehearses on Sunday mornings at 10:30. The Handbell Choir is currently rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7pm.
• Special services not falling on Sundays include Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Blue Christmas, and several midweek evening Prayer Around the Cross services throughout the year.
• Additionally, during the season of Lent Grace holds a morning prayer service on Wednesdays at 11:00am. Additional special services not listed here may occasionally be added.

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in music, church music, or other related degree; required.
• Master’s degree in music, church music, or other related degree; preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Able to move freely in and out of worship and other public settings; play musical instruments; and perform administrative duties via computer.
• Able to move between balcony and chancel areas in large sanctuary; able to use stairs.
• Able to speak in worship and among various large and small groups.

To Apply:
Please send cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to pastor@gracelg.org. Applicants are encouraged to include sample recordings in application materials.