American Guild of Organists

York, Pennsylvania

Positions Available

St. James Episcopal Church Organist/Pianist, Lancaster, Pa.  

About Saint James: Saint James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, PA is a large and growing parish founded in 1744 in the middle of a historic, vibrant city undergoing a renaissance driven in large part by remarkable creativity in the arts and a faith-based commitment to philanthropy. We are a congregation and staff team that pride itself on innovation, excellence, and breadth in our approach to everything we do. We have as our mission to be a place where joyful worship, contemplative prayer, generous living, and holy dying are the hallmarks of our life in Christ.

About the Position: Saint James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, PA seeks a three-quarter time or full-time organist/choir director. We are searching for a warm colleague and servant leader who loves the city and wants to collaborate with its many artists, one who is an accomplished organist and trained choral conductor, capable of leading a choir of paid and volunteer singers whose ability ranges from novice to professional, and who understands formal liturgy and the place of pop, rock, blues and contemplative music traditions in great worship. The successful candidate will be comfortable in a wide range of musical styles from Gregorian chant to gospel, as well as have the ability to play piano when appropriate, and to interface with all the myriad service opportunities currently offered at Saint James. While excellence in music and performance is important, so too is using the gifts, abilities, and formational power of music for children, youth, and families to participate frequently and meaningfully in the liturgy. The Organist & Choir Director will work under and report to the Director of Worship whose responsibilities include planning and integrating all the components of worship from seasonal planning and technology to digital worship production. The Director of Worship is responsible for an integrated vision and execution of music in all aspects of our worship, prayer, mission and urban community.

Services Duties & Responsibilities:

First Friday Compline, monthly, at 9:00 PM

Evensongs semi-annually or more

Sundays 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM

Additional services Holy Week, Christmas Eve, feast days, weddings, funerals and other special services

Compline:

Recruit and lead a diverse choir of community and regional singers in the ancient rite of Compline.

First Friday from 9-9:30 PM with one rehearsal immediately prior. Drawing music from a variety of sources from ancient chant to modern choral music within the framework of the BCP Office of Compline.

Sunday Services:

Plan music, anthems, hymns and other service music in conjunction with, and under the direction of the Director of Worship

Conduct weekly rehearsal

Recruit, audition, hire and manage section leaders, payments and scheduling

Hire additional musicians as needed (brass, strings, etc.) Maintain music library of nearly 900 files and digital database; purchase music

Submit music notes, bulletin inserts, hymns, anthem texts to office and communications staff

Lead professional quartet/quintet of professional singers in Rite One liturgy, singing renaissance to 21st century polyphony at weekly 8:30 Sunday service

Children’s Choir:

Coordinate with children, youth and families director and director of worship to develop opportunities for children and youth

Personal Qualities & Skills:

Capacity to work independently and collaboratively

Desire to think theologically in a downtown, mission-driven church

Creative and inclusive

Emotionally intelligent

Relates easily to parishioners in musical and social situations

Writes well about music for a wide audience including creating bulletin notes about the anthems, hymns, and organ music which educate and deepen worshipper’s spiritual experience

Can write text for social media posts or weekly e-news that is informative and generates interest and engagement

Familiar with different liturgical styles and the Book of Common Prayer

Proficiency in music-editing software; ideally a composer or arranger

This position is three-quarter time or full-time with a full-time base salary range of $52,000-$60,000. The role includes excellent benefits: medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401A and 403B retirement plans with employer match, generous vacation and sick leave, schedule flexibility, a family-friendly workplace and budget for professional development opportunities.

Application deadline May 17, 2024.

Otterbein United Methodist Church Organist/Pianist, Mt. Wolf, Pa.  -  Otterbein is looking for a Spiritually mature Christian to play Organ/Piano for our 8:15AM traditional service.Would need to be available Wednesday evenings at 6:15PM to rehearse with choir and or Soloist. Would work closely with Choir Director. Also be available Sunday morning for sound check at 7:30AM organ, run throughs with choir anthem and/or singer(s)leading hymns or choruses or sharing music on any given Sunday. The Organist is also responsible to select Prelude, Postlude and Offertory songs. At Otterbein Church our basic organ info includes a 2004 Shantz Pipe Organ with a Trumpet en Chamade and it has 28 ranks over two manuals and pedal, a Midi and transposes. The organ has been maintained and is in good condition. Salary is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Please include music background and education.Please submit resume and reference to OC United Methodist Church P.O. Box 386131 Center Street Mt. Wolf, PA 17347. Please fill out application form which can be found on our website at ocmtwolf.org. Posted 10/23/2022

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Music Director/Organist, Glen Rock, Pa. - Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Glen Rock, PA, is actively searching for a Music Director / Organist to develop and lead our Music Ministry in consultation with the Pastor and other team members in a way that is consistent with our mission, values, and theology including but not limited to the Lutheran liturgy. (See details at:www.zionglenrock.org/ministries/music-ministry). This Part-Time position requires 10-15 hours per week (with 5-7 hours at church). Salary is negotiable, commensurate with candidate’s education, experience, and skill level. A possible opportunity exists to also serve another church close-by, thus expanding income potential. Please e-mail Inquiries, Resumes, and References to music@zionglenrock.org, or postal mail to Music Director/Organist Search, Zion Lutheran Church, 47 Hanover Street, Glen Rock, PA 17327. Posted 8/25/2021

Quickel Lutheran Church, York, Pa., Organist/Pianist/Choir Director  - Quickel Lutheran Church is seeking a part-time Organist/Pianist/Choir Director. This is a 10-12 hour per week position with responsibilities including: leading our Sunday morning worship playing a solid state refurbished M.P. Moller organ and a Kawai baby grand piano. The adult choir offers anthems weekly during worship from September through May as well as seasonal special services (Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, etc.). The candidate will work with the Pastor and the Worship and Music Team to plan worship services. Please send a letter of introduction and resume to Quickel Lutheran Church, 60 Canal Rd. Extd., York, PA 17406 or to quickel@comcast.net. If additional information is desired, please call 717-266-4179. Posted 7/26/2021

First Church of the Brethren, York, Pa., Choir/Music Director  - York First Church of the Brethren is seeking a Choir/Music Director to lead music at its 10:30 A.M. worship service on Sunday mornings.  The Director would be responsible for the adult Choir and/or other ensembles, which will perform worship music each Sunday. The Director will lead each group's rehearsal. The candidate should be knowledgeable of both traditional and contemporary Christian music. On Sundays when a group is not scheduled, the Director will be responsible to coordinate musicians to perform “Special Music” and lead singing.  The candidate should be a singer who is comfortable leading congregation hymn singing when necessary as well as periodically singing solos in front of the congregation.  This position is a part-time position roughly equivalent to 1/4 of a full-time position.  Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé to yorkfirst@yorkfirst.org.

St. John Lutheran Church, York, Pa, Organist/Choir Director. - St John Lutheran Church, a growing and active church on Mt Rose Ave in York Pa is looking  to hire an organist and choir director for their 8:30 liturgical service.  For more information contact the church at  stjohn-yorkpa@comcast.net.

Bethany UMC, Red Lion, Pa. – Organist  - Bethany is currently looking for a spiritually mature Christian to play the organ for Sunday morning worship.  This includes both 8:00am and 10:30am Traditional Services – the 8:00am Service has been paused for now because of COVID-19.  General responsibilities include playing for Sunday Morning Worship as well as Wednesday evening choir practice from 6:30 – 7:30 pm and other special services.  The organist is also responsible to select and provide appropriate music for the Prelude, Postlude and Offertory as well as  rehearse with any soloists, choral groups or instrumentalists as needed.   Salary is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.  Desired starting date would be Sept 6, 2020, but that is negotiable as well.  Email Pastor Ron at  rdoverspike121@comcast.net for more information or to submit a resume.


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