Parish Musician

St. Andrew’s on-the-Hill Episcopal Church
Canton, North Carolina

St. Andrew's on-the-Hill Episcopal Church (www.standrewscanton.org) strives to be a community open to all. We are a small but vibrant community, actively engaged in serving each other and our wider Haywood Community. Music is essential to our worship.  We offer an adult choir, children’s choir, quartet, and dulcimer group.

Position Overview: Plans, organizes, and directs parish music program, in consultation with the Rector, to support worship and advance the spiritual experience of the community. Rehearse and direct parish choir and provide excellent performance on organ and piano.

 

Responsibilities include:

  • Plan, perform, and direct the offering of music for the Sunday Eucharist (10:30 a.m.), Ash Wednesday, all scheduled Holy Week and Easter services, and Christmas Eve. Weddings and funerals are negotiated and compensated by the families involved.

  • Rehearse and direct parish choir one weekday evening/week and Sunday mornings.

  • Collaborate with Rector in selecting hymns and service music for regular, special, and seasonal needs appropriate for the liturgical year.

  • Collaborate with the children’s choir leader and other musicians, quartet, soloists, and instrumentalists as requested in selecting music and accompanying during occasional services.

  • Explore opportunities for participation in music activities/events with other churches in the diocese and the wider community.

  • Interact regularly with the Rector and members of the congregation and choir in nurturing, growing, and evaluating the music program at St. Andrew’s.

  • Actively recruit and welcome new choir members and visiting musicians.

  • Occasionally introduce and teach new music to the congregation before worship.

  • Coordinate with Parish Administrator music information for all service bulletins in a timely manner.

  • Recommend to Parish Treasurer and Finance Committee financial needs for this ministry. Oversee the music budget for the parish.

  • Perform all copyright reporting and be responsible for submitting to the Parish Treasurer all licensing fees to be paid.

  • Maintain music library.

  • Complete mandatory Diocesan Safeguarding God’s Children and Safeguarding God’s People and diocesan anti-racism training within the first three months of hire, updating as required by Diocese of WNC.

  • Coordinate with the Rector all vacation and time away and schedule supply organists as needed. Vacation not to be taken during major Feast days.

 

Qualifications, Training and Experience:

  • Minimum Bachelor of Music Degree or equivalent experience.

  • Knowledge of church music and organ repertoire for services.  Familiarity with Episcopal liturgy or willingness to learn. Enjoyment in playing a variety of music: traditional, Taizé, folk, chant, spirituals, and gospel.

  • Proficient organist (2-manual Allen Electronic Organ, Protégé Series) and pianist, with experience in providing music in a liturgical context.

  • Experience or training in leading volunteer choirs with singers of varied abilities and training.

  • Self-motivated with a flexible and collegial style of leadership and interaction.

  • Cooperative, creative, and respectful in working with others including Rector, choir, congregation, and church staff.

  • Excellent communication skills are important.

 

Terms and Compensation:

  • Hours: Regular time requirements are Sunday mornings and one weekday evening (90 minutes). Time to complete these including preparation is an average of between 12-15 hours per week.

  • Employment Classification: Part-time, regular, non-exempt.

  • The Parish Musician reports to the Rector.

  • Year-Round Annual salary and Benefits: $17,000 - $19,500, depending on education and experience; including five weeks paid-off per year (5 Sundays and weekday choir rehearsals). In addition, there is no weekday choir practice for one month in the summer. $500 continuing education and annual dues to one professional organization provided.

  • Year-Round position preferred but other options will be considered.

  • Our hiring process includes a background check, which any potential employee must successfully pass before the first day of work.

 

Applications will be reviewed starting August 1, 2025. For further information and/or to apply for this position, please contact The Rev. Karen Barfield at rectorstandrewscanton@gmail.com. Please include a resumé, letter of interest, at least two recordings of your work (one piano and one organ), and three letters of recommendation if you wish to apply. Thank you!