Part-Time Organist and Choir Director

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 27,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Wisconsin is seeking an Organist and Choir Director to enhance the liturgical worship life of the congregation. You will provide musical leadership, serve as the primary accompanist for weekly services, and direct the adult vocal choir.

The ideal candidate should have proficiency in organ and piano, strong interpersonal skills, and preferably 2–5 years of experience in a liturgical church. This part-time role offers compensation of $30,000 annually and additional opportunities for weddings and funerals.

Qualifications

• High proficiency in playing both the organ and piano for congregational and choral accompaniment.
• Experience leading and accompanying adult vocal choirs; experience in handbell leadership is a plus.
• Understanding of Lutheran theology and liturgical knowledge preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and a welcoming presence.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary musician and congregational accompanist for weekly services.
• Direct the adult vocal choir and nurture the growth of volunteer musicians.
• Collaborate with the Pastor for hymn selection and logistics.

Skills

Musicianship

Interpersonal skills

Organ and piano proficiency

Strong sight-reading

Leadership of adult choirs

Soft skills

Organizational skills

Job description

Position Type: Part‑Time (approx. 15‑18 hours/week)
Reports To: Senior Pastor
Compensation: $30,000 annually. Additionally, first right of refusal for weddings and funerals, paid via additional stipends by involved parties.

Position Summary

The Organist and Choir Director provides musical leadership to enhance the liturgical worship life of the congregation. This role involves serving as the primary accompanist with the organ or piano for two weekly services, directing the adult vocal choir, and exploring the establishment of a new handbell ministry. The ideal candidate will inspire our dedicated volunteer musicians and lead worship music that follows the LC‑MS traditions to aid in the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our members and the world.

Core Responsibilities

Instrumental Leadership

• Play Services: Serve as the primary musician and congregational accompanist for weekly services; including preludes, postludes, hymns, and liturgical elements.
• Instrumentation: Utilize and maintain the church’s instruments to support diverse musical styles.
• Special Services: Provide music and arrange guest musicians for seasonal liturgical services, including Advent, Christmas Eve, Lent, Holy Week, Easter. When possible, be available for weddings and funerals, with any compensation for these services negotiated by individual parties.

Choral & Ensemble Direction

• Adult Choir: Direct the adult vocal choir, including weekly rehearsals and during worship services.
• Vocal Development: Nurture the musical and spiritual growth of volunteer musicians of varying skill levels.
• Handbell Ministry: Explore launching and leading a new handbell choir utilizing the church’s existing handbell set.

Administration & Collaboration

• Worship Planning: Collaborate with the Pastor to select hymns and choral music or anthems that align with the lectionary.
• Logistics: Manage the music library and annual music budget, schedule guest and volunteer musicians for special services, and help ensure compliance with copyright and streaming licenses.
• Maintenance: Oversee the tuning, maintenance, and repair of the congregation’s music equipment.

Qualifications

• Musicianship: High proficiency in playing both the organ and piano for congregational and choral accompaniment, with strong sight-reading and hymn-leading skills.
• Direction: Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and experience leading and accompanying adult vocal choirs; experience in handbell leadership a plus.
• Liturgical Knowledge: Understanding of Lutheran theology, worship flow, hymnals, and liturgical seasons is highly preferred.
• Soft Skills: Strong organizational skills, a welcoming presence, and a passion for engaging congregation volunteers.
• Experience: Preferably 2–5 years of experience leading music and choirs in a liturgical church setting.

Street Address: 11313 N Riverland Rd

Zip Code/Postal Code: 53092

Phone: [phone]