Chapel Organist - Part-time

Mxschool; Concord (MA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 83,000; Part time

Job summary

Middlesex School in Concord, MA is seeking a talented and dependable organist to provide weekly chapel accompaniment and participate in special services and seasonal events.

This part-time role emphasizes collaborative musicianship with faculty, staff, and the Director of Spiritual and Ethical Education, with regular rehearsals and substitutions as needed.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in organ performance.
• Experience supporting both solo and ensemble worship music.
• Experience accompanying choral singing and weekly services.
• Strong sight-reading skills and ability to adapt to varied musical styles.
• Excellent communication, reliability, and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Play the musical portions of weekly chapel services.
• Play the musical portions of special services (Opening of School Chapel, Alumni Memorial Chapel, Faculty/Staff Farewell Chapel, and Baccalaureate).
• Accompany the choirs for the Holiday Concert and Spring Choral Concert.
• Practice hymn accompaniments for services.
• Attend dress rehearsal for Holiday Concert and Spring Choral Concert.
• Arrange for substitutes during times of absence.
• Collaborate with the Director of Spiritual and Ethical Education and Head of Music Department as necessary.

Skills

Organ performance

Choral accompaniment

Sight-reading

Musical collaboration

Reliability

Communication skills

Tools

Organ keyboard proficiency

Job description

We are seeking a talented and dependable musician to provide organ accompaniment for chapel services, special service, and occasional seasonal events. This part-time role is ideal for someone who enjoys contributing to a meaningful school community experience through excellent musicianship, thoughtful preparation, and collaboration with faculty, staff, and music leadership.

Every Wednesday, Middlesex gathers for a 45-minute service. These Chapels feature a senior who, following reflections by our Director of Spiritual and Ethical Education, delivers a talk: an exercise that Middlesex students think of as “giving a chapel.” These talks can best be described as personal and secular, yet spirited and significant. The standard of speaking aims to be high, as does our standard of attentiveness and listening. In today’s world, we are fortunate to be able to share these experiences together as a gathering of 500 students, faculty, and staff.Learn more about the amazing instrument HERE.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

1. Play the musical portions of weekly chapel services*


2. Play the musical portions of special services** (Opening of School Chapel, Alumni Memorial Chapel, Faculty/Staff Farewell Chapel, and Baccalaureate)


3. Accompany the choirs for the Holiday Concert and Spring Choral Concert***


4. Practice hymn accompaniments for services.


5. Attend dress rehearsal for Holiday Concert and Spring Choral Concert****


6. Recommend necessary instrument maintenance, to be conducted by Noack Organ.


7. Collaborate with the Director of Spiritual and Ethical Education and Head of Music Department as necessary.


8. Arrange for substitutes during times of absence.

* Weekly chapel services occur Wednesdays 9:55-10:40am. There are very occasional variances in day of week to accommodate school events.

** Opening of School Chapel, Sunday, August 30th 5:30pm

Alumni Memorial Chapel, Saturday, May 8th

Faculty/Staff Farewell Chapel, Tuesday, May 25th

Baccalaureate, Saturday, May 29th

*** Holiday Concert, Saturday, December 5th 7pm & Sunday, December 6th 4:30pm

Spring Choral Concert, Saturday, April 10th 7:30pm

****Holiday Concert Dress Rehearsal, Thursday, December 3rd 6:30pm

Spring Choral Concert Dress Rehearsal, Thursday, April 8th 6:30pm

Competencies

• Demonstrated proficiency in organ performance.


• Experience supporting both solo and ensemble worship music


• Experience accompanying choral singing and weekly services.


• Strong sight-reading skills and the ability to adapt to varied musical styles.


• Excellent communication, reliability, and professionalism.


• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, choir members, and other musicians.


• Interest in and demonstrated skill working with adolescents.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Willingness to put students needs ahead of your own when interacting with students.


• Respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of School life.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a chapel or boarding school setting.


• Training in sacred music, organ performance, or a related field.

What We Offer

• A supportive environment with meaningful opportunities to contribute through music.


• Part-time scheduling with predictable service commitments.


• The opportunity to serve a welcoming community and enhance musical experiences.

Additional Information

• Able to successfully complete CHRI, CORI, and SORI checks.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.