Organist​/Choir Director

2 George St S, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 1X4, Canada

Posted Monday, July 20, 2026 at 4:00 AM

St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Smiths Falls, is looking to appoint a new Organist/Choir Director.

Summary

The successful candidate will be expected to: lead choral and congregational singing; play the organ at congregational services; support the contemporary music group; and work with the Incumbent to plan weekly worship, major religious festivals, ecumenical services, weddings, and funerals. This position will be based on a one-year, renewable contract, including a three-month probationary period to start.

Hours: negotiable (expected to be approximately 10 hours per week, including practice time, rehearsals, music selection, meetings, and other planning requirements. Travel time to or from St. John’s will not be compensated.)

Compensation: Negotiated based on RCCO scale.

Reports to: Incumbent and Churchwardens.

Start Date: earliest date of availability or by September 01, 2026.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in various styles of music for organ (piano/keyboard proficiency considered assets)
• Experience in choral music leadership (a broad range of musical knowledge and ability considered assets)
• Familiarity with the Christian tradition and Scriptures, and a commitment to supporting the Church in worship (knowledge of the Anglican liturgy and the use of the Revised Common Lectionary considered assets)

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone with strong leadership skills, including the ability to teach and encourage choristers. The successful candidate should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to build a team. Openness to suggestions, recommendations, and guidance (where appropriate) is anticipated. We are looking for someone to help us grow in musical worship and leadership.

Responsibilities of the Organist/Choir Director

The Organist/Choir Director n’s coordinates the parish’s music team. Emphasis is on music for Sunday worship, major festivals and other liturgical events and celebrations (especially during Advent and Holy Week). From time to time, the Organist/Choir Director is likely to be asked to perform music for special events including weddings and funerals.

In addition, the Organist/Choir Director:

• consults with the Incumbent (or Priest-in-Charge) to plan and implement the worship music and selects pieces to reflect a variety of styles, genres, and instrumentation.
• Coordinates the music leadership team to develop and expand the music ministry n’s, including:
  • Encouraging congregational singing.
  • Encouraging congregational musical participation.
  • With special effort to engage our children and youth.
• instructs and directs choir members and supports “Beginnings” (a contemporary music group made up of volunteers from the congregation).
• in conjunction with the Incumbent and Wardens, establishes a music budget and oversees appropriate expenditures, including:
  • music purchasing.
  • Necessary licensing.
• oversees archiving of choral/organ music (music library).
• coordinates the maintenance/repair of all instruments.

Music n
the Evangelist

St. John ’ s follows the liturgical year with music chosen to compliment the Christian calendar. There is special attention to the Advent-Christmas and Lent-Easter cycles. Music for worship n ’ s is anchored in the Anglican choral tradition of hymns and occasional anthems and incorporates a range of contemporary compositions and styles. The organ and choir are situated in the chancel.

St. John’s choir is a small but dedicated group actively seeking to bolster its membership. Leading congregational singing is its primary function although it is available for funerals and other special services, as required. The choir embraces the opportunity to expand its repertoire. Weekly practice is the norm.

Beginnings is our contemporary church band consisting of 5 singers, plus a keyboardist and guitarist. They rehearse Mondays. The band provides worship support from the North transept.

St John’s has a:

• newly installed digital, three-manual Pheonix Organ. This organ has three voices (English, French, and German); 57 stops; 18 orchestral stops.
• Kemble Baby Grand piano located in…