Church Choral Accompanist

Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church, UCC; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

The Church Choral Accompanist in Virginia Beach, VA is a part-time, on-site role providing piano or organ support for worship services and choir rehearsals.

You will prepare hymns and anthems, collaborate with the choir director on repertoire, and attend weekly rehearsals and services, ensuring music aligns with the church’s mission.

Qualifications

• Strong accompaniment on piano or organ to support choirs and congregational singing.
• Ability to sight-read choral music and follow a conductor.
• Demonstrated cooperation and teamwork with choir, clergy and church staff.
• Experience in music education, instruction, or coaching singers is beneficial.
• Strong communication, punctuality, and reliability with consistent rehearsal/service attendance.
• Relevant education or training in music preferred.

Responsibilities

• Play the piano (or organ) for worship services weekly.
• Participate in weekly rehearsals of hymns, anthems, and choral responses and special rehearsals as needed.
• Participate in selecting music appropriate to the liturgical season with Pastor and Choir Director.
• Communicate regularly with the Pastor to coordinate the smooth flow of worship services.
• Coordinate the music program with Pastor, Deacons and Choir Director.
• Provide special music for church functions and special worship services as arranged with Pastor and Deacons.
• Maintain the pianos (and organ) and arrange tuners/technicians as needed.
• Plan hymns for each service with Pastor or Deacons chair.
• Help provide for a substitute when absent.

Skills

Piano/Organ accompaniment

Teamwork & cooperation

Music education/ coaching experience

Sight-reading choral music

Communication & reliability

Music education training preferred

Education

Music education degree or formal training

Job description

The Church Choral Accompanist is a part-time, on-site role based in Virginia Beach, VA. The accompanist will provide reliable, high-quality musical support for choir rehearsals, worship services, and special events, primarily on piano or organ. Day-to-day tasks include preparing and accompanying choral anthems, hymns, and liturgical music; collaborating with the choir director on repertoire and rehearsal plans; and attending all scheduled rehearsals and services. The role also involves supporting soloists and small ensembles, assisting with music preparation and organization, and contributing to an atmosphere of reverence and community during worship. The accompanist will work closely with church leadership and volunteers to ensure music aligns with the church’s mission and worship style.

Qualifications

• Strong Accompaniment skills on piano or organ, with experience supporting choirs and congregational singing.
• Demonstrated Cooperation and teamwork skills when working with choir members, clergy, and church staff.
• Experience in Education, music instruction, or coaching singers is beneficial.
• Ability to sight-read choral music, follow a conductor, and adapt to different worship styles and traditions.
• Strong communication, punctuality, and reliability, with a commitment to consistent attendance at rehearsals and services.
• Relevant education or training in music (formal study, degree, or equivalent experience) preferred.

Duties

• Play the piano (or organ) for worship services weekly. (Sunday at 10 am)
• Participate in weekly rehearsals of hymns, anthems, and choral responses and special rehearsals as needed. (Wednesday at 7:00 pm)
• Participate in selecting music appropriate to the liturgical season of the Church Year in conjunction with the Pastor and the Choir Director.
• Communicate regularly with the Pastor to coordinate the smooth flow of worship services.
• Coordinate the music program of the church in cooperation with the Pastor, Deacons and the Choir Director.
• Provide special music for church functions and special worship services as arranged with the pastor and Deacons. (ChristmasEve, Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursdayare currently the only worship services not on Sundayam.)
• Maintain the pianos (and organ) in appropriate fashion, arranging for tuners and technicians as needed.
• Plan hymns for each service in conjunction with pastor and or chair of Deacons
• Help provide for a substitute when absent.