Church Musician

Job Type: Part-time, W-2 employee

Compensation: Up to $300 per regular weekly assignment, depending on qualifications and experience

Reports Directly To: The Rector

Musical Supervision: Parish Choir Director

About Our Parish

The Episcopal Parish of St. Clement is a welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant Christian community located in the Makiki neighborhood of Honolulu. Guided by our commitment to “Striving to love as Jesus loves,” we celebrate the richness of Episcopal worship, the diversity of our ʻohana, and the musical traditions of both the Anglican Church and Hawaiʻi.

We are seeking a talented, dependable, and collaborative Parish Musician (Organist/Pianist) to help strengthen our growing music ministry.

Our Parish Choir is growing in both size and musical accomplishment. We are looking for a musician who enjoys accompanying singers, supporting congregational worship, collaborating with a choir director, and contributing to a joyful and prayerful liturgical experience.

About the Position

The Parish Musician serves as the principal keyboard musician for parish worship, providing organ and piano accompaniment for congregational singing, the Parish Choir, soloists, and other musicians.

The Parish Musician reports directly to the Rector and is supervised by the Parish Choir Director in matters of musical preparation, rehearsals, performance, and coordination with the choir. The Rector retains overall responsibility for the parish's liturgy and worship.

We welcome applications from experienced organists as well as highly accomplished pianists who are interested in learning to play the organ. For the right candidate, the parish is willing to support organ training and professional development.

Primary Responsibilities

Provide organ and/or piano music for the principal Sunday Eucharist at 9:30 a.m.

Accompany the Parish Choir during scheduled rehearsals and worship services.

Lead and support congregational singing through confident, sensitive, and consistent accompaniment.

Prepare and perform appropriate preludes, postludes, hymns, service music, and other liturgical selections.

Work under the musical supervision of the Parish Choir Director, following the Director's musical guidance, tempo, and interpretation.

Collaborate with the Parish Choir Director and Rector in planning music appropriate to the Episcopal liturgical calendar.

Prepare assigned music thoroughly and arrive at rehearsals and worship services ready to perform.

Accompany guest musicians, vocal soloists, and instrumentalists when scheduled.

Maintain clear and timely communication with the Rector, Parish Choir Director, and parish staff regarding schedules, musical selections, and responsibilities.

Exercise appropriate care of the parish's musical instruments and equipment.

Coordinate and schedule regular tuning, maintenance, and necessary repairs for the parish organ and all pianos throughout the parish and school campus. Work with qualified technicians, maintain appropriate maintenance records, and communicate anticipated expenses and repair needs to the Rector for approval.

Qualifications

Required:

Advanced proficiency in piano performance, including strong sight-reading and accompaniment skills.

Ability to maintain a steady tempo, follow a conductor, and respond appropriately to musical cues.

Experience accompanying choirs, vocalists, or instrumental ensembles.

Ability to prepare music independently and perform reliably and professionally.

Willingness to work collaboratively with the Parish Choir Director and Rector.

Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Proficiency on the organ or a genuine willingness to undertake organ training.

Respect for and willingness to support the inclusive mission and worship traditions of The Episcopal Church.

Preferred:

Experience playing the organ for Christian worship.

Familiarity with Episcopal liturgy, Anglican hymnody, and sacred choral music.

Experience accompanying a developing or established church choir.

Formal training in piano, organ, or collaborative music performance.

Appreciation for the music and cultural traditions of Hawaiʻi.

Worship Schedule and Expectations

Current Regular Schedule:

Sunday Eucharist at 9:30 a.m.

Scheduled Parish Choir rehearsals.

Independent preparation and occasional planning meetings.

The parish anticipates resuming its Saturday evening Word & Table service at 5:00 p.m. in the future. Although Saturday worship is not currently included in the regular playing schedule, applicants must be willing and available to assume this responsibility when it is added.

The established weekly compensation will include both Saturday and Sunday services when Saturday worship resumes, without an additional increase solely for the addition of that service.

Additional Liturgical Services and Special Celebrations

In addition to the regular Sunday Eucharist and scheduled choir rehearsals, the Parish Musician is expected to provide music for major feasts, holy days, and other special parish liturgies and events throughout the church year.

These may include:

Christmas Eve services

Christmas Day Eucharist

Blue Christmas

Ash Wednesday

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

The Great Vigil of Easter

Easter Day celebrations

The Feast of All Saints and All Souls

Thanksgiving Eve

Pride Eucharist

Episcopal visitations and other services involving the Bishop

The Parish Annual Meeting in January

Other special liturgies, celebrations, and parish events as designated by the Rector

The Parish Musician will work closely with the Parish Choir Director and Rector in preparing music for these occasions. Advance scheduling and preparation are essential, particularly during Advent, Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter.

Participation in the Annual Meeting is required when scheduled, including when the meeting follows the regular Sunday Eucharist.

Compensation for additional services outside the regular weekly assignment will be established separately in the Letter of Agreement.

Weddings, Funerals, and Other Pastoral Services

The Parish Musician will have the first opportunity to provide music for weddings, funerals, and other pastoral services held at St. Clement when organ or piano accompaniment is required.

If the Parish Musician is unavailable or declines the assignment, another qualified musician may be engaged, subject to the Rector's approval.

All music and musicians participating in parish liturgies are subject to the approval of the Rector. Compensation for weddings, funerals, and other pastoral services will be arranged separately from the regular weekly assignment.

Compensation

This position is compensated through a flat-rate, per-assignment arrangement, rather than an advertised hourly rate.

Experienced Organist/Pianist: Up to $300 per regular weekly assignment, based on qualifications and experience.

Accomplished Pianist Seeking Organ Training: A lower starting rate, determined by experience and current proficiency.

Additional Special Services: Compensation determined separately, as appropriate.

The regular weekly assignment includes scheduled worship services, required choir rehearsals, and necessary musical preparation. Compensation will be reviewed as responsibilities and demonstrated proficiency develop.

The position is classified as a part-time W-2 employee position, with applicable employment and payroll requirements observed.

Employment Requirements

As a condition of employment, the successful candidate must:

Successfully complete a background check in accordance with parish and diocesan policies.

Complete all required Safe Church training prescribed by The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi.

Complete required Anti-Racism training in accordance with diocesan requirements.

Maintain compliance with applicable parish and diocesan policies, including any required training renewals.

These requirements reflect our commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for everyone in our parish community.

What We Are Looking For

Beyond musical ability, we are looking for someone who understands that church music is a ministry of collaboration.

The ideal candidate is a skilled, sensitive accompanist who listens carefully, follows musical direction, maintains a consistent tempo, arrives prepared, and understands the importance of supporting both the choir and the congregation.

We value creativity, flexibility, reliability, and a willingness to grow alongside our music ministry.

We especially encourage accomplished pianists who may not yet have extensive organ experience but who are enthusiastic about developing those skills.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit:

A résumé outlining relevant musical education and experience.

A brief statement describing experience with piano, organ, choir accompaniment, and worship music.

Contact information for two professional or musical references.

Qualified applicants may be invited to participate in a musical audition, including hymn playing, sight-reading, and accompaniment with the Parish Choir Director.

Please email applications and inquiries to both:

[email protected] and [email protected]

The Episcopal Parish of St. Clement is an inclusive and welcoming community. We encourage applications from qualified musicians of diverse backgrounds who share our commitment to respectful collaboration and excellent music in worship.

Come as you are. Help us make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Pay: Up to $300.00 per week

Work Location: In person