First Presbyterian Church of Nashville is seeking an experienced Organist and Assistant Choral Director who is a committed Christian and will provide organ music and accompaniment for scheduled worship services and other activities; ensemble directing; and other administrative work in support of the music ministry of the Church. This individual fulfills a pivotal role in the musical life of the Church, is a vital member of the worship planning team and strives always to bring glory to the Triune God, participating in all aspects of the life and ministry of this outpost of Christ’s Kingdom.

Church and Organ Background: First Presbyterian Church of Nashville is located eight miles south of downtown Nashville in the City of Oak Hill suburb. The Church offers two services of traditional worship on Sunday mornings and a variety of other services throughout the liturgical year. Acknowledged as the finest American example of Rudolph von Beckerath’s late work, the Church’s sanctuary organ features 74 ranks, three manuals, and pedal. Work in 2002 added an electric assist to the mechanical action, as well as solid-state combination memory levels. The very high workmanship and distinctive tonal finishing lend a “friendly, singing quality” to congregational singing and choral accompanying, supporting musicians as they lead the people in the praise of God.

This salaried, full-time role will work a regular five (5) day workweek including Sundays and evening rehearsals; other days/times as required for funerals or weddings. The compensation range is $2,300 to $2,800 per bi-weekly pay period based on experience. Our comprehensive and competitive benefits package includes medical, dental and vision coverage, short- and long-term disability, employee life and voluntary/dependent life insurance and matched retirement plan.

Duties/Responsibilities
Organ Playing/Accompanying

• Plays voluntaries, hymns, and service music at the 8:30 and 11:00 worship services on Sunday morning, as well as for other services (Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, etc.) throughout the year.
• Accompanies the Sanctuary Choir in rehearsals, services, and concerts.
• Serves as the primary organist for funerals and as the secondary organist for weddings.
• Coordinates with assistant organist and children’s choir directors to provide accompaniment for children’s choirs in rehearsals and worship services.
• Provides music for other church organizations (Presbyterian Women, First Friends [older adults], Youth Ministry, etc.) as requested.
• Provide organ music for Oak Hill School midday services, as assigned.

Ensemble Directing

• Serves as Assistant Director of the Sanctuary Choir and Director of the Sanctuary Singers and Choristers (youth choir).
• Works with the Director of Music to develop and coordinate other choral, vocal and/or instrumental participation from the congregation.

Administrative Work/Other Duties

• Participate fully in the broader liturgical life of First Presbyterian Church with musicians and clergy, including attending staff, worship planning meetings and related Music Ministry Committee meetings.
• Oversees maintenance of organs, pianos, and harpsichord.
• Assess and develop the children and youth choral ministry.
• Helps coordinate schedule of non-organ voluntaries (youth instrumentalists, children’s choirs, etc.).
• Occasionally writes music notes for Sunday bulletins.
• In conjunction with Director of Music, creates annual professional development plan; seeks out and attends relevant professional development activities each year

Position Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills
Education: Master’s degree in organ performance.
Experience:

• An active, growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Knowledge of the Bible, the Reformed tradition, and an ability to integrate the Christian faith into day-to-day work in a way that brings about the advancement of the gospel, required.
• Four or more years of experience in accompanying the singing of hymns plus demonstrated experience in accompanying choral music and solo performance.
• Three or more years of experience in serving as a congregation’s organist.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and contribute to broader liturgical life of First Presbyterian Church with musicians and clergy, including attending staff, worship planning meetings and related Music Ministry Committee meetings
• Expert proficiency with sacred classical organ and choral literature, continuo, improvisational organ techniques, and conducting experience. Organ and choral repertoire. Hymnody and liturgy.

• General organ maintenance and operation.
• Skilled sight-reader and accompanist for instrumental and choral ensembles.
• Willingness to rehearse sufficiently to maintain a high quality of music.
• Sensitivity and the ability to interact with a variety of people.
• Ability to take direction and work as a team member.
• Ability to communicate well and in a friendly manner with the church leadership, church choir and orchestra, and members of the congregation.
• Desire to maintain a constant program of self-improvement.