Assistant Chapel Organist

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

Job summary

Duke University Chapel Music seeks an Assistant Chapel Organist (part-time) to share leadership of worship services, sacred concerts, and other events at Duke Chapel. You will report to the Chapel Organist and collaborate with the full-time Organist and Organ Scholar.

The role includes leading portions of Sunday services, contributing to up to 5 concert performances per academic year, managing organ demonstrations, and attending staff meetings.

Qualifications

• Education/Training: bachelor’s degree required; analytical, communications and organizational skills.
• Experience: one year in program administration or related activities to plan and coordinate events.

Responsibilities

• Worship leadership: lead half of ~85 services yearly, sharing duties with Chapel Organist and Organ Scholar.
• Concert performances: participate in up to 5 of 15–20 concerts and rehearsals per academic year.
• Organ demonstrations: manage planning and scheduling of demonstrations.
• Meetings: attend bi-monthly Chapel Music staff meetings and coordinate with Director.
• Other duties: perform related tasks incidental to the role.

Skills

Hymn playing

Leading congregational song

Organ repertoire knowledge

Improvisation

Transposition

Accompanying soloists

Education

Bachelor’s degree in sacred music or organ performance

Master’s degree in sacred music or organ performance (preferred)

Job description

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Date: Jul 17, 2026

Be You.

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).

Be Bold.

Worship leadership

– Provide musical leadership in half of the approximately 85 worship services held by Duke Chapel each calendar year. This total includes:

• collaborative leadership of Sunday morning services during fall and spring academic terms, in which playing responsibilities are shared with the Chapel Organist and Organ Scholar;
• collaborative leadership of festival and university services (such as Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Easter, Baccalaureates), in which playing responsibilities are shared with the Chapel Organist;
• primary leadership of at least 5 “recess” Sundays (December; spring break; summer), in which the Assistant Chapel Organist serves as the sole organist for the service;
• occasional support of bi-weekly Choral Evensong services during the academic year, in which playing responsibilities are shared with the Organ Scholar.

The schedule of services will be determined in coordination with Director of Chapel Music and the Chapel Organist. The Assistant Chapel Organist does not serve as the regular accompanist for Duke Chapel’s choirs.

Concert performances

– Contribute to and perform in up to 5 of the 15–20 concerts and recitals presented by Duke Chapel Music each academic year, and their attendant rehearsals.

Organ demonstrations

– Manage the schedule of organ demonstrations during fall and spring academic terms. Organ demonstrations are performed by the Chapel’s organists and an established roster of guest organists.

Meetings

– Attend bi-monthly meetings of the Chapel Music staff. Regularly meet with the Chapel Organist and other members of the Chapel Music staff and Ministry staff as appropriate.

Other Duties

– Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

This is a PART-TIME position

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training: Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Experience: Work requires one year of experience in program administration or involving academic, instructional or counseling activities to acquire skills necessary to plan, coordinate and implement a variety of program activities and events or an equivalent combination of education and experience .

Preferred Qualifications

Education/Training: Master’s degree in sacred music or organ performance preferred, bachelor’s degree in sacred music or organ performance required. Required demonstrable proficiencies include: hymn playing; leading congregational song from the keyboard; ability to perform organ repertoire appropriate for liturgical contexts; improvisation; transposition; solo and ensemble accompanying. Knowledge of varied bodies of repertoire (hymnody, organ repertoire) is also required.

Experience: A significant, documentable work history (minimum 5 years) in positions relevant/related to the fieldor an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Choose Duke.

Duke offers a collaborative work environment and a competitive benefits package designed to support your well‑being and growth:https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Job Code: 00002321 PROGRAM COORD
Job Level: 10

Anticipated Pay Range

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $44,766.00 to USD $71,706.00 for a full time FTE. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity withoutregard 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.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community havea responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community havea responsibility to uphold these values.

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 accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).

Nearest Major Market

Durham

Nearest Secondary Market

Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.