Position Description
Organist
Reporting to
<insert Minister> with Church Council
Location:
<insert congregation>
Full time/part time/casual
Commission, support services:
Date created/amended:
June 2014
Organist Name
Organist Signature
Date
Church Council representative Name
Church Council representative Signature
Date
1
Primary Job Purpose
Music is one of the powerful languages of that the Church uses in its witness of word and action
by which Christ reaches out to command people’s attention and awaken their faith.
By singing their praises to God all people who gather together to worship have opportunity to
participate in this witness to one another and to the World.
Organists, pianists, instrumentalists and choir leaders are among those given responsibilities in
the musical life of the worshipping Church.
The organist provides accompaniment for scheduled worship services and other occasions in
support of the music ministry of the church.
Organist
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2
Number of Staff
Reporting Directly:
3
Nil
Reporting
Indirectly:
Nil
Nature of Communication Requirements
Internal
Church Council
Music leader
Minister
Congregation members
External
Families requiring music for a wedding or funeral
Visitors to the church
4
Level Of Decision-Making
Decisions relating to day to day workflow
5
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION
Capacity and willingness to work within the ethos of the Uniting Church
Notify the minister or church council a minimum of two weeks prior but as soon as planned absences are
known to allow for scheduling of a substitute organist.
Organist
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6
Job Competencies
6.1
Qualifications and Experience
6.1.1. Skills in experience in playing the organ
6.1.2. An understanding of the structure of the Uniting Church in Australia preferred
6.2
Skills and abilities
6.2.1.
6.2.2.
6.2.3.
6.2.4.
6.2.5.
6.2.6.
6.2.7.
Organ playing skills
Ability to take direction and work as a member of the worship team
Ability to sight read music
Excellent organisational skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent verbal communication skills
Ability to use the skill of improvisation is desirable
6.3
Personal and professional competencies
6.3.1. Excellent interpersonal skills
6.3.2. Demonstrated initiative
Organist
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7
Key Responsibilities, Tasks And Outcomes
Key Responsibilities
7.1
7.2
Organist
Organ playing
Consultation
Tasks
Outcomes
(a) Provide assistance in
Regular preparation and
regular planning, preparing, rehearsals are completed as
rehearsing and playing
required
appropriate music for
scheduled worship services
and other required
occasions to support the
music ministry of the
church.
(b) Direct and play music for
the <insert regular service
times> and for such other
services as may be
arranged from time to time.
These may include but are
not limited to Christmas,
Holy Week, Easter etc
Music is directed and played as
required
(c) To play for weddings and
funerals as required
Music is performed at weddings
and funerals as required
(a) Consult regularly with
worship leaders regarding
hymns, tunes, sung
responses and other
music;
(b) Encourage and arrange for
the participation of other
musicians and the use of
other instruments in
worship;
(c) Cooperate with the
ministers and music
leaders of other
congregations in the
arrangement of combined
services;
(d) Consult with couples
intending to be married at
the <insert congregation>
congregation regarding
appropriate music for their
wedding service;
(e) Consult with families
regarding appropriate
music for funerals
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Key Responsibilities
7.3
Organist
Advice
Tasks
(a) Advise on suitable music
for services
Outcomes
Suitable music is advised.
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