Parish Accompanist

St. Michael the Archangel Mary Mother of Peace; Delaware (OH); On-site; USD 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Michael the Archangel Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Parish seeks a Parish Choir Accompanist to support liturgical music across weekly rehearsals and weekend masses.

The role emphasizes collaboration with the Director of Liturgical Music and the parish singers in preparing varied repertoire. The ideal candidate brings strong keyboard skills, sight-reading, and a deep appreciation for Catholic sacred music, with flexibility for major celebrations and additional services.

Qualifications

• Strong piano/keyboard skills and excellent sight-reading.
• Experience accompanying choirs, vocalists, or ensembles.
• Ability to follow a conductor and respond sensitively to liturgy.
• Familiarity with Catholic liturgy and sacred music preferred.
• Ability to perform varied styles from traditional to contemporary Catholic music.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Dependability and ability to prepare repertoire between rehearsals.
• Organ proficiency desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Accompany one Saturday choir rehearsal each week.
• Provide accompaniment for one Saturday and one Sunday Mass each weekend.
• Collaborate with the Director of Liturgical Music in preparing weekly repertoire.
• Accompany the parish choir, cantors, soloists, and other musicians as assigned.
• Prepare and perform music from a broad range of Catholic liturgical repertoire.
• Provide keyboard music for preludes, postludes, processions, and other liturgy portions.
• Attend significant celebrations during the liturgical year and occasional additional rehearsals.
• Maintain a high standard of musical preparation, reliability, professionalism, and collaboration.

Skills

Piano/keyboard

Sight-reading

Accompanying choirs

Liturgical music familiarity

Flexible repertoire

Collaboration

Dependability

Organ proficiency

Education

Music degree welcomed

Equivalent professional experience considered

Job description

Parish Choir Accompanist St. Michael the Archangel and Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Parish is seeking an accomplished and collaborative Parish Accompanist to support our active liturgical music ministry. The accompanist will work closely with the Director of Liturgical Music in preparing and providing music for weekly choir rehearsals, weekend liturgies, and major celebrations throughout the liturgical year. This position is well suited to a skilled keyboard musician who values excellent liturgical music, enjoys working with singers, and understands the accompanist's important role in supporting congregational worship.

Primary Responsibilities

The Parish Choir Accompanist will:

• Accompany one Saturday choir rehearsal each week.
• Provide accompaniment for one Saturday and one Sunday Mass each weekend.
• Collaborate with the Director of Liturgical Music in preparing weekly repertoire and seasonal music.
• Accompany the parish choir, cantors, soloists, and other musicians as assigned.
• Prepare and perform music from a broad range of Catholic liturgical repertoire, including traditional hymnody, contemporary Catholic music, choral octavos, and seasonal repertoire.
• Provide appropriate keyboard music for preludes, postludes, processions, and other portions of the liturgy.
• Participate in significant celebrations during the liturgical year, particularly Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, and other major parish liturgies as scheduled.
• Attend occasional additional rehearsals when necessary for major celebrations.
• Maintain a high standard of musical preparation, reliability, professionalism, and collaboration.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should possess:

• Strong piano/keyboard skills and excellent sight-reading ability.
• Experience accompanying choirs, vocalists, or ensembles.
• Ability to follow a conductor and respond sensitively to singers and the needs of the liturgy.
• Familiarity with Catholic liturgy and Catholic sacred music is strongly preferred, although candidates with substantial church-music experience from other traditions are encouraged to apply.
• Ability to perform music in a variety of styles, from traditional sacred and classical repertoire to contemporary Catholic liturgical music.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Dependability and the ability to prepare repertoire independently between rehearsals.
• Organ proficiency is desirable but not required.

A degree in music, church music, piano performance, or a related discipline is welcomed, but equivalent professional experience will be fully considered.

Typical Weekly Commitment

The regular weekly schedule consists primarily of three scheduled commitments: Saturday: One choir rehearsal and one weekend liturgy Sunday: One weekend liturgy Additional services and rehearsals may occur periodically for major liturgical celebrations and special parish events. The annual schedule will be coordinated in advance with the Director of Liturgical Music.

Compensation

Annual compensation: $35,000+ commensurate with experience, education, keyboard proficiency, and demonstrated church-music experience. The annual compensation covers the regular weekly rehearsal and Saturday/Sunday liturgy schedule, as well as the professional preparation and collaboration associated with those responsibilities. Funerals, concerts, weddings, and other additional services are compensated separately and are not included in the annual salary. This provides the accompanist with opportunities for additional compensation throughout the year.

Music Ministry

The parish maintains an active music program serving the communities of St. Michael the Archangel and Mary Mother of Peace. The ministry includes a Liturgical Choir, Contemporary Ensemble, Handbell Choir, cantors, and other ensembles and musicians, with repertoire encompassing the breadth of the Catholic musical tradition. We are seeking an accompanist who sees the position as more than simply playing notes: someone who enjoys collaborating with singers, understands the importance of music in the prayer of the Church, and wants to become a valued member of a vibrant parish music ministry.

Selected candidates may be invited to an interview and brief playing/audition session with the Director of Liturgical Music.

Position: Parish Choir Accompanist Compensation: $35,000+ annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience Additional Compensation: Funerals, concerts, weddings, and other additional services paid separately Location: St. Michael the Archangel / Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Parish - Georgetown & Millsboro, Delaware