Current Open Positions

October 21, 2024

Organist/Accompanist (Shared Position)

First United Methodist Church (FUMC) is a vibrant multi-cultural community of faith in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City and is an open and welcoming congregation to all. Meeting since 1870, FUMC has a long history of service to vulnerable populations, not only in Utah but around the world. We feed our friends on the streets and provide temporary shelter during the winter’s coldest nights. We support Family Promise, Crossroads Urban Center, Salud y Paz in Guatemala and a sewing school in Pakistan. In addition, we have a dynamic Music Ministry. Our Chancel Choir sings hymns and anthems during Worship Services. We host multiple community events including private and university choral and instrumental recitals, orchestral concerts, organ performances, etc.

The Organist/Accompanist is the key instrumentalist for our worship services and strengthens the connection between music and the spiritual life of the church. Qualified candidates must have mastery in playing religious music and will be using the historic instruments of The Wesleyan Heritage Pipe Organ (Kilgen, 1906; Bigelow renovation, 2015) and the 1912 Steinway piano that are located in our Sanctuary. Through music, we reach out to our diverse community in celebration, praise and worship of God’s grace and goodness.

Responsibilities

The shared responsibility will be playing for Worship Service and Choir Rehearsal every other week or as advised by the Music Director with a second Organist/Accompanist.

Shared responsibilities (every other week) with a 2nd organist/accompanist may include the following:

  • Accompanies congregational hymns and choir anthems during worship
  • Selects and plays prelude and postlude before and after worship services
    • Sunday Worship Service at 11:15 am
  • Provides music for special services which may include but are not limited to Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday
  • Accompanies the Chancel Choir during weekly rehearsal
    • Thursdays at 6:45 pm, Sunday warm-up begins at 10:30 am
  • For tuning and maintenance of the organ and pianos, Organists and Choir Conductors will notify the Chair of Trustees. Trustees will coordinate scheduling a tuner with Organist(s)

Qualifications

  • A degree in music is preferred or working towards completion or equivalent proficiency
  • AGO Service Playing and/or other AGO Certification will be strongly considered<
  • Strong sight reading skills
  • Good communication skills – both verbal and written<
  • Ability to work in harmony with other staff members
  • Commitment to spiritual growth
  • Selection will be determined by interview, performance audition, and possible playing for Worship Service

Hours

Working hours include: Working hours include:

  • 26 weeks per year, scheduled every other week or as determined by second organist and Music Director
  • Must be available for Advent, Christmas, and Easter Seasons. Organists may share responsibilities on Christmas Eve, Holy Week and/or Easter Day
  • This position works out to be approximately 5 hours per week
  • Practice time is flexible

Salary

  • Commensurate with hours of work agreed upon with Staff Parish Relations Committee and experience
  • This position is by mutual consent and has no term of contract
  • Performance and salary will be reviewed annually

To Apply

Send cover letter and CV to office@fumcslc.org Subject: Organist Position