Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 21
Christ Church on Capitol Square, Raleigh, NC, is seeking a full-time organ scholar for a one-year appointment with an optional second year. This position will be primarily responsible for accompanying choral ensembles, overseeing music theory lessons for choristers, administrative tasks, and assisting in playing the parish’s various liturgies. The organ scholar will attend and accompany on the choir’s July 2023 tour to England and Ireland.
The successful candidate will have at least a bachelor’s degree in organ performance from a reputable university, experience singing and accompanying English choral repertoire (including Anglican Chant), advanced musicianship skills, be able to play organ repertoire at a professional level, and demonstrate the ability to work cordially with volunteers and other staff members. To apply, please send your resumé with 3 references (including at least one organ professor and one clergy person who has supervised you) as well as a live recording of an anthem accompaniment with choir and a performance of two solo organ pieces to “Organ Scholar Search” at Christ Church on Capitol Square, 120 E. Edenton St., Raleigh, NC 27601.
About Christ Church:
Since 1821, Christ Church has been a sacred place in the heart of North Carolina’s capital city. We are the oldest Episcopal congregation in the Raleigh area, the “mother” parish of several other Episcopal churches in Wake County, and one of the three largest parishes in the Diocese of North Carolina. We have a proud legacy of preparing leaders for the Church, the Raleigh community, our Diocese and the wider world. That tradition continues to flourish as Christ Church approaches its bicentennial this year. Christ Church has approximately 3,000 members and an annual budget of $3.25 million.
Our music program is grounded in the English cathedral tradition and consists of four choirs:
- The Adult Choir
- A mixed volunteer and professional choir that rehearses every Wednesday and sings for the weekly 11am eucharist as well as for evensong, feast days and concerts
- The Choristers & Lay Clerks
- Made up of 3 groups
- The Choristers (grades 7-12)
- The Training Choir (grades 4-6)
- The Lay Clerks – fully professional altos, tenors, and basses that sing with the choristers
- Rehearses twice a week and sings two 9am eucharists every month as well as for evensong, concerts, and major feast days
- Will be undertaking tour to Westminster Abbey, St. George’s, Windsor, and St. Patrick’s and Christ Church Cathedrals, Dublin in July of 2023
- Made up of 3 groups
- The Cherub Choir
- K-2nd grade
- Conducted and accompanied by volunteers
In addition to the choral program and the 9am and 11am Sunday morning services, the parish’s weekly 5pm service of contemplative eucharist often features guest instrumentalists from the North Carolina Symphony.
The successful candidate will have:
- At least a bachelors degree in organ performance from a reputable university
- Advanced musicianship skills (sight-singing, open score reading)
- Experience accompanying English choral repertoire, Anglican Chant, singing in advanced choirs, and conducting
- Interest and experience in working with choristers
- A body of advanced organ repertoire to use for voluntaries
- An understanding of Episcopal liturgy
- The ability to work cordially with volunteers and other staff members
Responsibilities include:
- Accompanying choral ensembles
- Adult Choir
- The Choir of Choristers & Lay Clerks (including services of eucharist and evensong at St. George’s Windsor and the cathedrals in Dublin)
- The Cherub Choir (in the absence of their regular accompanist)
- Assist in playing/singing for services that require music
- Sunday Holy Eucharist 9, 11, and 5pm in consultation with the Organist/Choirmaster
- Weddings/Funerals (In alternatum with the Organist/Choirmaster)
- Festival liturgies such as Lessons and Carols, services of choral evensong, the Christmas Pageant, Holy Week liturgies, etc…
- Assist in Training Choir/Chorister rehearsals & Lessons
- Assist in rehearsals/activities as needed
- Provide one-on-one music coachings in singing and sight-reading for choristers
- Attend and assist with organizing chorister retreats and trips
- Adult Choir
- Sing when not accompanying
- Track Staff Singer Payroll
- Fill in for the Organist/Choirmaster in their absence
- Other tasks as assigned by the Organist/Choirmaster
- Organize orchestral parts/music for major liturgies
- Maintain orchestral library
- Set-up mics/recording equipment for various recordings/services
- Help in organizing music for choristers