St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church (ELCA), Monona, WI is seeking an organist/accompanist to lead congregational song at Sunday morning services and to accompany choir rehearsals on Wednesday evenings. Additional worship services will include seasonal midweek services, Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, and others throughout the year. The ideal candidate is welcoming, organized, and collaborative, proficient in organ and piano, well versed in a wide range of music styles, and skilled at leading congregational singing. Our organ is a 30-rank, 29-stop, 2-manual, Parsons Opus 22/Rosales Opus 33 tracker organ and our primary piano is a Yamaha C2 grand. For more information regarding our organ, please visit https://ststephensfoundationmonona.com/our-organ.
To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, and a link to video or audio recordings of your playing (if available) to organistsearch@ststephensmonona.org. For best consideration, materials must be received by June 30th. This position will remain open until filled. We anticipate a start date of Fall 2023.
Job Description
This is a part-time position: (25%) –approx. 10 hours per week, with a salary of $11,000-14,000 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience, with additional fees for weddings and funerals, and includes paid time off (including 3 Sundays per calendar year). The position also confers the privilege of using the organ and/or piano for private teaching, rehearsal, and performance, provided lessons and performances are scheduled so as not to conflict with congregational events.
Values
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church values teamwork, creativity, and diligence in service to the mission of God through the church. For more information, please visit www.ststephensmonona.org. Music—especially congregational singing—plays a large part in the life of this community, and the Organist/Accompanist is expected to lead music in a way that supports, promotes, and enhances congregation singing. The role of the Organist/Accompanist requires a working knowledge of liturgical worship styles as appropriate to Lutheran traditions (or the willingness to learn), an openness to a variety of musical styles, an attitude that encourages and nurtures God’s people through the gifts of music, and an orientation of service to assist the members of St. Stephen’s in accomplishing the work in which God calls us.
Responsibilities
- Play organ, piano and/or electric keyboard for all scheduled worship services of the Congregation (including Sunday services, festivals, Advent, Lent and other midweek services)
- Accompany the Sanctuary Choir at Wednesday evening rehearsals, on Sunday mornings, and at other rehearsals when needed.
- Collaborate with church members, outside musicians, and staff to support and prepare opportunities for musicians during worship, or for concerts and recitals.
- Select and prepare prelude, postlude, offertory music and other special music as appropriate to the church season.
- Attend weekly staff meetings when possible.
- Right of first refusal for all weddings and funerals at St. Stephen’s, with standard additional fees set by St. Stephen’s policies.
- Coordinate with the Director of Worship and Music regarding regular maintenance and repair of the organ and pianos.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate brings:
- Demonstrated proficiency in playing the organ and piano.
- Demonstrated proficiency in supporting and leading congregational singing.
- Proficiency as an accompanist for soloists, choirs, and other ensembles.
- A bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in organ or piano or commensurate experience.
- Sight-reading proficiency.
- Familiarity with Lutheran liturgical worship or a willingness to learn.