Church Organist​/Pianist Ann Street UMC Ann Street United Methodist Church

About the Church

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 its 1963 Schantz organ. 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.

Church Organist/Pianist – Ann Street United Methodist Church of Beaufort, NC

Reports to:

Director of Music

Director of Music and Staff Parish Relations Committee

Status:
Part‑time

$18,000 – $22,000 (Open to negotiation dependent upon experience)

Responses:
Submit resumes to office

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.

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

Able to freely move about the church facility and grounds.

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, builds rapport, uses diplomacy and tact, is regarded as a team player.
• Trust and integrity: is able to communicate honestly and directly, and is joyfully flexible.

Weekly

• For the 10:00 am 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 the 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 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and extend to 8 pm 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 10:00 am service by reporting to the choir room prior to the service at a 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 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.
• Funerals are the responsibility of the organist.
• At the organist’s discretion, play for weddings. Weddings earn a stipend of $500.00.

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.