Parish Accompanist

St. Michael the Archangel Mary Mother of Peace; Georgetown (DE); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Michael the Archangel Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Parish in Georgetown, DE seeks a Parish Choir Accompanist to support weekly choir rehearsals, weekend liturgies, and major celebrations.

The ideal candidate is a skilled keyboard player with strong sight-reading and collaborative spirit, able to follow a conductor and adapt to liturgical needs. The role involves preparing repertoire with the Director of Liturgical Music, accompanying cantors and other musicians, and providing keyboard music

Qualifications

• Strong piano/keyboard skills and sight-reading ability.
• Experience accompanying choirs, vocalists, or ensembles.
• Ability to follow a conductor and respond sensitively to singers and liturgy.
• Catholic liturgy familiarity preferred; church music experience welcomed.
• Ability to perform traditional sacred and contemporary liturgical music.

Responsibilities

• Accompany one Saturday choir rehearsal weekly.
• Provide accompaniment for one Saturday and one Sunday liturgy weekly.
• Collaborate with the Director of Liturgical Music on repertoire.
• Accompany parish choir, cantors, soloists, and other musicians.
• Prepare music for preludes, postludes, processions, and liturgy portions.
• Attend significant liturgical celebrations and occasional additional rehearsals.
• Maintain high standards of preparation, reliability, and collaboration.

Skills

Piano/Keyboard

Sight-reading

Choral accompaniment

Follow conductor

Liturgical music familiarity

Interpersonal collaboration

Reliability

Organ proficiency

Education

Music degree

Equivalent professional experience

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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

The 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