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Job Description – Choir Accompanist

Reports to: UUCCWC Music Director

Status: Part-time at-will employee

Start Date: August 15, 2025

Anticipated Time Commitment: Approximately 20 hours/month, including at home practice

  • Sunday Services (Two per month): Play choir anthems, hymns, or other special music during the Sunday morning service (9:00-11:30am, including a tech rehearsal)
  • Choir Rehearsals: Accompany weekly choir rehearsals (7:00-8:30 pm, mid-August-mid-June), with occasional longer rehearsals as needed for special occasions
  • Play music for special services and celebrations (Christmas Eve, etc.)

 

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Accompany Congregational singing: Play hymns/songs during two worship services per month, September through June
  • Preludes/Postludes: Plan, select, and prepare preludes, postludes, and offertories as needed for the worship services, preferably in line with the theme
  • Support Worship: Support choir with accompaniment that is well-prepared and executed (September through June) and special music when requested
  • Piano Maintenance: Maintain accurate account of instrument needs and notify the Music Director of any issues
  • Non-Sunday Services: Provide music for special non-Sunday services (e.g. Blue Christmas, Christmas Eve, ordinations, installations) or arrange for a substitute when unavailable
  • Substitute Pianist: Arrange for your own backup when absent and inform the Music Director 
  • Performance Review: Participate in a performance review with the Music Director during the employment year
  • Potential additional duties (compensation negotiated separately): Play for special services/events (memorials, weddings, fundraisers, etc.)
     

Additional Job Requirements:

  • Must complete a background check before active employment
  • Awareness of and respect for Unitarian Universalist values and practices
     

Required Skills: *

  • Accompanying Skills: Ability to follow the Director, play choral parts (not just piano part), including vocal open score reading or arranging music for readability
  • Interpersonal Skills: Ability to interact sensitively with a variety of people and work as part of a team
  • Communication: Strong communication skills and ability to engage with church leadership, choir members, and congregation in a friendly and professional manner
  • Musical Ability: Ability to play choir anthems and special music of moderate difficulty
  • Organization: Maintain well-organized sheet music, proactively plan and coordinate music selections, and manage time well

* Required skills may be obtained from experience, volunteer work, professional experience, and/or formal or informal training. 

Preferred Skills: 

  • Instrument Knowledge: Strong knowledge of the piano and oversight of the care of church musical equipment
  • Musical Flexibility: Ability to sight-read and improvise as needed
  • Music Theory: Understanding of basic music theory, including simple transpositions and reharmonizations


Accountability:
• Preparation: Rehearse sufficiently to ensure high-quality musical performance, both personally and with soloists, with worship music and special music
• On-Time Arrival: The Pianist must arrive on-site with enough time to have instrument and music ready for rehearsals and services to start on time
• Substitute Pianist: The Pianist is responsible for arranging a substitute when absent and notifying the Music Director at least three weeks prior to planned absences

Compensation: The hourly rate is based upon experience.