Principal Organist/Accompanist

Diocese of Knoxville; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 20,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Houston, TX, seeks a qualified keyboardist to serve as principal organist/accompanist, supporting two Sunday masses and a weekly choir rehearsal. The role emphasizes creative use of organ and piano across traditional hymnody and modern pieces.

The successful candidate will play to accompany cantor and congregation, demonstrate formal music training, and report to the Director of Liturgy and Music; compensation is per Mass and rehearsal.

Qualifications

• Proven competence as a keyboard player (piano and organ) and in accompanying choir, cantor, and congregation.
• Experience in a similar position in a Roman Catholic Church.
• Formal training in music is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Accompany two Sunday morning Masses, including warm-up/rehearsal time.
• Accompany liturgical services throughout the year (Christmas, holy days, etc.).
• Select and play solo organ and piano repertoire for liturgy (prelude, meditation, postlude).
• Accompany one weekly rehearsal with the adult choir, plus additional rehearsals as needed.
• Prepare accompaniments for choir and congregational music to a professional standard.
• Advise the Director on maintenance of the church’s organ and pianos.

Skills

Keyboard

Organ

Accompaniment

Choir accompaniment

Education

Formal musical training

Job description

St. Cecilia Catholic Church

11720 Joan of Arc Dr.Houston, TX 77024www.saintcecilia.org

Summary:St. Cecilia Catholic Church, a 4000-family parish located in the Memorial City area west of Houston, seeks a qualified keyboardist to serve as principal organist/accompanist, accompanying two Sunday morning Masses and one choir rehearsal each week, as well as holy days. Music is an integral part of the life of St.Cecilia Catholic Church, and varieties of styles from traditional hymnody to contemporary compositions are part of the repertoire (Gather 3 Hymnal). Therefore, the creative use of both organ and piano is expected.This individual reports to the Director of Liturgy and Music. This position is paid per Mass/rehearsal. No office hours are expected.Qualifications:The successful candidate will show competence as a keyboard player (piano and organ) and in accompanying choir, cantor, and congregation in such a way as to support congregational singing and participation. Experience in a similar position in a Roman Catholic Church and formal training are highly desired.Primary duties:

• Accompany two Sunday morning Masses each weekend, including necessary warm-up/rehearsal time preceding each service: 8:00 am (with cantor) and 10:00 am (with cantor, Adult Choir, or Children’s Choir)
• Accompany other liturgical services throughout the year, including Christmas, holy days of obligation, sacramental celebrations, and the Paschal Triduum
• Select and play solo organ and piano repertoire appropriate to the liturgy for prelude, meditation, and/or postlude
• Accompany one weekly rehearsal (Wednesday 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm/September-May) with the adult choir, plus additional rehearsals as needed
• Prepare in advance, and to a professional standard, accompaniments for choir and congregational music selected by the Director for rehearsals and liturgies
• Advise the Director of any matters pertaining to maintenance of the church’s organ and pianos

Other notes:

• This individual must be available to play for Masses at Christmas (including Midnight Mass), Holy Thursday evening, Good Friday afternoon, Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), and morning Masses on Easter Sunday
• The person in this position will have right of first refusal for all weddings and funerals celebrated in English

Instruments:www.saintcecilia.org/organ (with maintenance contract)