Organist/Accompanist

Job Title: Organist/Accompanist
Reports To: Music Director, works with Senior Pastor, staff and committees
Status: Part-Time, Non-Exempt, 6 hours week
Location: Gilbert, Arizona
Compensation: $40 hour
Benefits: Refer to Personnel Handbook for Benefits and Vacation, if applicable

First United Methodist Church of Gilbert is a warm, inclusive and welcoming, multi-generational congregation with a heart for service and a commitment to inclusive worship. Located in the East Valley of the Phoenix metro area, we are looking toward the future with hope and imagination. We celebrate the full range of music and collaboration from blue grass to classical, modern rock to hymns during our two services. We have a praise team, twenty-five voice chancel choir, children and youth musical experiences and leadership, occasional liturgical dance, guest artists and composers in residence and are looking forward to individuals who want to join us in the journey of worshiping God together! We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences.

Pianist and Choral Accompanist

• Accompany weekly choir rehearsals and Sunday services.
• Provide organ and piano music for Sunday worship, including hymns, preludes, offertories, and postludes.
• Support congregational singing, soloists, and other ensembles.
• Attend staff meetings or worship planning sessions as needed.
• Play for special services including Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Thanksgiving, Blue Christmas, and possibly New Year's Eve and others as assigned.
• Weddings and memorial services as needed. These are separately compensated.
• Makes recommendation for general maintenance for pianos and organ, including preparation of a budget submitted to the Music Director in September for the following year's budget. Coordinates schedule for regular tuning or repair.
• Other duties as assigned.

Regular Hours:

• Sundays: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (worship service and preparation)
• Wednesdays: 2 hours (while choir is in session)
• Additional Hours: Up to 2 additional hours per week may be used for music selection, special rehearsals, or preparation, with prior approval from your supervisor.
• During the summer choir adjourns. There may be reduced hours or the option of arranging small singing groups.

Compensation

• Compensation will be paid on an hourly basis through the church payroll system. Additional hours must be pre-approved by the supervisor.
• Special Services: Participation in seasonal services such as Christmas Eve, Holy Week, and other special worship services is expected and compensated at the regular hourly rate.
• Funerals and Weddings: Requests may be made for you to provide music for funerals or weddings. These are subject to your availability and are compensated directly by the family at an agreed-upon rate.

Desired Qualifications

• Proficiency in piano and/or organ.
• Experience accompanying choirs and leading congregational worship.
• Familiarity with a wide variety of music, including sacred, choral, contemporary, and hymns across seasons.
• Excellent sightreading skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and church members.
• A heart for ministry, flexibility, and team spirit.

Spiritual and Community Expectations

• Maintain a personal and growing relationship with Christ. Must embrace Christian discipline and United Methodist doctrine and theology.
• Be an active participant in the life of this church community.
• Pass training and uphold the standards of the Safe Gathering Policy.
• Exhibit a spirit of hospitality, inclusiveness, and servant leadership consistent with United Methodist Church principles and beliefs.
• Respect the diversity of perspectives within the United Methodist Church within a Christian community.      
• Ability to communicate in person, electronically, and in writing on a regular and timely basis.
• Participate in Staff and Committee meetings as assigned.

To apply, send an email to:
PastorBrandon@gilbertumc.org