Assistant Chapel Organist

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 44,766 - 71,706; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental care

Generous retirement benefits

Family-friendly programs

Cultural programs

Job summary

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, seeks an Assistant Chapel Organist who will engage in musical leadership for worship services, sacred concerts, and other events. This half-time role involves collaborating with the Chapel Organist and organizing special events, while also contributing to concerts.

The ideal candidate will possess at least a bachelor’s degree in sacred music or organ performance and have significant experience. A competitive benefits package and annual salary of $44,766 to $71,706 is offered.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred; bachelor's degree required in sacred music or organ performance.
• Minimum five years of relevant work experience or equivalent education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide musical leadership in worship services at Duke Chapel.
• Contribute to and perform in concerts and recitals.
• Manage organ demonstration schedules.
• Attend bi-monthly Chapel Music meetings.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Skills

Hymn playing

Leading congregational song

Organ repertoire performance

Improvisation

Transposition

Solo and ensemble accompaniment

Education

Master’s degree in sacred music or organ performance

Bachelor’s degree in sacred music or organ performance

Job description

As a member of the Duke University Chapel Music staff, the Assistant Chapel Organist participates in the musical leadership of Duke Chapel worship services, sacred concerts, and other events at Duke Chapel. This half‑time, salaried position reports to the Chapel Organist, and shares playing responsibilities with the full‑time Chapel Organist and the Chapel Organ Scholar (a 10‑month intern).

Responsibilities

• Provide musical leadership in half of the approximately 85 worship services held by Duke Chapel each calendar year, including: collaborative leadership of Sunday morning services during fall and spring terms with the Chapel Organist and Organ Scholar; collaborative leadership of festival and university services (e.g., Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Easter, Baccalaureates) with the Chapel Organist; primary leadership of at least five “recess” Sundays (December; spring break; summer) as the sole organist; occasional support of bi‑weekly Choral Evensong services during the academic year.
• Contribute to and perform in up to five of the 15–20 concerts and recitals presented by Duke Chapel Music each academic year, and attend associated rehearsals.
• Manage the schedule of organ demonstrations during fall and spring terms, in collaboration with the Chapel’s roster of guest organists.
• Attend bi‑monthly meetings of the Chapel Music staff and meet regularly with the Chapel Organist, other music staff, and ministry staff as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in sacred music or organ performance preferred; bachelor’s degree in sacred music or organ performance required.
• Demonstrable proficiencies in hymn playing, leading congregational song from the keyboard, performance of organ repertoire appropriate for liturgical contexts, improvisation, transposition, solo and ensemble accompaniment, and knowledge of varied bodies of repertoire.
• Minimum five years of significant, documentable work history in positions relevant to the field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Benefits

Duke offers a collaborative work environment and a competitive benefits package designed to support your well‑being and growth. The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is USD $44,766.00 to USD $71,706.00.

Other benefits include comprehensive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family‑friendly and cultural programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodations can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).