PARISH ORGANIST

Purpose 

To enrich the liturgical worship of the parish by providing organ music for the Liturgy of Saint Clement’s Episcopal Church.

Requirements 

  • The ability to work collaboratively with both the Rector and the Choir Director and communicate and respond in a timely fashion.

  • Attend all choir rehearsals scheduled by Choir Director. Choir rehearses Sundays 9:00am-10:15am.

  • Responsible for serving as the organist on Sunday at 10:30am Mass, minimum one hour weekly rehearsal and sufficient warm-up prior to services. This also applies to occasions and celebrations not occurring on a Sunday.

  • Responsibility for special services throughout the Church year, e.g., Christmas Eve services, Holy Week services (Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday), Easter Vigil, Easter Day, and other organist and choir supported services as may arise (e.g., Lessons & Carols). 

  • Submit prelude and postlude music titles to Choir Director minimum one week in advance of the Liturgy being planned.

  • Work in tandem with the Choir Director to create Monthly Community Concert Series.

  • Assist Rector and Choir Director in proof-reading weekly bulletin to ensure accuracy of music selections and formatting. 

  • Completion of Diocese of Olympia Safeguarding training course and background check.

  • Bachelor of Music preferred but not required. 

  • Organ proficiency required.

Description of Instrument 

St Clements Episcopal is the home of a 2-manual Reuter pipe organ built in 1926. The congregation has voted to replace said organ in the summer of 2026. Marceau & Associates Pipe Organ Builders has been commissioned to provide the parish with a new instrument, with a project completion date of October 2026. St Clements also owns a grand piano.

Responsible to The Rector

As the liturgical and administrative authority of the congregation, the Rector has sole oversight of all employees of the congregation. The organist and all staff serve at the Rector’s pleasure. 

Stipend

Annual salary ranges from $15,000-$18,000 DOE.

Necessary Attributes for the Organist

  • Must be reliable in building the music program within the Anglican/Episcopal tradition in general and within the Anglo-Catholic Tradition.

  • Must be able to play music within the service for seamless worship.

  • Must have knowledge and skill in the execution in accompaniment of hymnody, service music, anthems, solos, preludes, and postludes.

  • Must be able to work under the direction of the rector, and in concert with choir director, choir members, and parish assistants.

  • Assistance with weddings and funerals with first right of refusal according to established fees.

  • Attend all choir and soloists’ rehearsals scheduled by Choir Director or provide advanced notice of absence.

  • Maintain a regular schedule of personal rehearsal.

  • Be willing to learn and offer creative solutions in order to advance musical excellence at Saint Clement’s Church.

  • May utilize Church instruments for private lessons in consultation with Rector.

Conditions of Employment: 

Average ten (10) to twelve (12) hours per week (1/4 time)

Benefits: 

Four (4) Sundays paid time off, not to be taken on major Church feasts, each calendar year. Note that a suitable replacement must be scheduled in advance of vacations in consultation with the Rector.

Reimbursement for cost of annual AGO membership.

Parish assistance with participation in mutually-agreed continuing professional development is available.


For additional information and to apply: Submit a resume and cover letter or direct questions to The Reverend Kevin Corbin Smith at Phathyr@gmail.com.

Follow this link for information on Anglo-Catholicism: https://www.stclementseattle.org/what-is-anglocatholic