Contract Musician

Jerseydigs; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 103,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Peace Care Music Ministry is an 8-week program connecting musicians with residents and patients across our skilled nursing home communities. Through one-on-one visits and shared music-making, this ministry offers comfort, connection, and joy to individuals in geriatric and palliative care settings.

We are seeking compassionate musicians who want to use their gift to bring meaning and companionship to those we serve. Compensation ranges from $75.00 to $100.00 per hour.

Qualifications

• Commitment to an 8-week schedule and reliable attendance.
• Ability to perform in intimate, one-on-one settings with residents.
• Willingness to learn residents’ favorite songs and requests.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual visits with residents using music to build relationships.
• Offer meditative and therapeutic music spanning classical and reflective styles.
• Participate in weekly Open Rehearsal and follow the program schedule.

Skills

Instrument proficiency

Relational listening

Job description

About the Program

Peace Care is a faith-based, nonprofit healthcare organization sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. We operate two distinguished campuses, Peace Care St. Ann’s and Peace Care St. Joseph’s, providing exceptional short-term physical rehabilitation and long-term skilled nursing care with over 237 years of combined experience.

Peace Care Music Ministry is an 8-week program connecting musicians with residents and patients across our skilled nursing home communities. Through one-on-one visits and shared music-making, this ministry offers comfort, connection, and joy to individuals in geriatric and palliative care settings. We are seeking compassionate musicians who want to use their gift to bring meaning and companionship to those we serve.

Schedule Commitment

• Duration: Two 8-week programs.
• Fall 2026
• Spring 2027
• Individual Visits: 2 hours daily, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
• Tuesdays & Fridays: Saint Ann’s Home.
• Wednesdays & Thursdays: Saint Joseph’s Home.
• Open Rehearsal: 1 additional hour weekly (beyond individual visit hours).
• Tuesdays, 3:00–4:00 p.m.: Saint Ann’s Home.
• Thursdays, 3:00–4:00 p.m.: Saint Joseph’s Home.

Responsibilities

• Commit fully to the 8-week schedule outlined above, arriving prepared and on time for each visit and rehearsal.
• Conduct individual, one-on-one visits with residents and patients, using music to build genuine, personal relationships.
• Offer a blend of meditative and therapeutic music (classical, reflective, and similar styles) alongside residents’ personal requests and favorite songs.
• Participate in the weekly Open Rehearsal hour at the assigned facility.
• Approach each visit with sensitivity to the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of residents.

Candidate Expectations

• Willingness to work with the geriatric population, including individuals with severe or advanced health conditions.
• Emotional flexibility and resilience: candidates must be prepared to graciously accept a resident declining a visit, and to work with the Chaplain to identify another resident to visit in that time.
• A heart for relationship-building through music, not just performance — this is a ministry of presence as much as it is music.
• Reliability and consistency across the full 8-week schedule.
• Comfort working within a faith-based care environment and collaborating with chaplaincy and care staff.

Musical Background

• Proficiency on an instrument or voice suitable for intimate, one-on-one settings.
• Repertoire (or willingness to build repertoire) spanning meditative/reflective and classical styles, as well as flexibility to learn and perform residents’ requested favorites.

What You’ll Gain

• Meaningful, direct impact on the lives of residents and patients through music.
• Experience in music therapy-adjacent, faith-based pastoral care settings.
• Mentorship and support from the Chaplain and care team throughout the program.

Compensation

• $75.00 – $100.00 per hour.

Level of Language Proficiency

Must be able to speak English fluently. Ability to understand and speak additional languages is desirable.