Trinity Lutheran Church Organ Position

Trinity Lutheran Church of Mission, Kansas (metro Kansas City) seeks a highly skilled organist to serve a vibrant church community committed to excellence in worship and music. The organ is by Quimby Pipe Organs Inc. 2010, 33 ranks, 1853 pipes and the piano is a Yamaha C5 grand. Trinity has a strong and distinguished history of high quality leadership from the organ bench. To learn more about the organ visit: http://quimbypipeorgans.com/completed/rebuilt/trinity-lutheran-church.

Overview:
1. Provide organ and piano accompaniment for all weekly services (2-3) and special worship services including but not limited to: Thanksgiving Eve, Advent Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Ash Wednesday, Mid-Week Lent Services, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter.
2. Select appropriate preludes, postludes, or other organ and piano solos for worship services and concert events.
3. Provide occasional accompaniment for special musical events, including but not limited to Sacred Concerts, Hymn Festivals, and Bach Cantata Series.
4. Provide accompaniment for the Trinity Choir as well as soloists/small groups in all rehearsals in preparation for services and special musical events. Weekly choir rehearsals occur on Wednesday evenings during the choir season.
5. Provide accompaniment for weddings and funerals, according to the church policies and in collaboration with the Director of Music and the Arts. The organist is compensated above salary for these services.
6. Make recommendations for the repair and maintenance of the organ and pianos, as necessary.

Qualifications and Experience:
1. A commitment to Christian faith and familiarity with the liturgical year
2. Passion for engaging congregations through vibrant worship and music
3. A Master’s degree or higher in Organ Performance or Church Music and/or Associate of the AGO or equivalent is preferred
4. Exceptional sight-reading and accompaniment skills
5. Superb hymn-playing skills:
a. Creative and highly imaginary organ registrations
b. Ability to improvise, re-harmonize, and modulate during congregational hymns
c. Ability to play a wide range of psalm settings
6. Ability to improvise creative keyboard accompaniments from a melody with chord symbols
7. Experience collaborating with amateur and professional choirs and instrumentalists while taking direction from a conductor
8. Comfort level in a wide range of musical styles including but not limited to: Classical, Taizé , Iona Community, gospel, spirituals
9. Team player and a great colleague who is open to suggestion and willing to take direction
10. People/ministry-oriented; flexible and adaptable in regards to changing worship styles and the needs of a growing, diverse congregation
11. Exceptional organizational and administrative skills
12. Continuo (portative organ, harpsichord) experience preferred
13. Three or more years professional church experience preferred

Salary and Terms Summary:
1. The position is classified as part-time, approximately 20-25 hours per week
2. Salary will be based on qualifications and experience ranging from $26,500 – $31,000 (negotiable)
3. Four Sundays of annual paid vacation
4. Continuing education time and allowance
5. Right of first refusal for weddings and funerals for additional fees
a. Funerals: $150
b. Weddings: $200
6. Free use of facilities for private teaching

How to apply:
Send the following by e-mail to:
Ben A. Spalding
Director of Music and the Arts
bens@tlcms.org
913-226-5413

• Letter of Inquiry
• Curriculum vitae with contact information, including phone number, mailing address, and email address
• Three references, two of which have observed the applicant in the context of a music working environment, one of which should be a direct supervisor in a church setting. (References will only be contacted later in the search process and the committee will respect a candidate’s confidentiality.)
• Audio and/or video recordings of organ performance materials including at least two contrasting works, one should be from the standard classical repertory.
The position is open beginning August 1, 2016.



History of Music and the Arts at Trinity Lutheran:

Our mission is to provide faith inspiration brought to life, bringing joy and wonder, touching souls, and creating community.

Recent Highlights:
• Bach Cantata Series started in 2011 which offers Bach’s sacred cantatas in the liturgical context for which they were intended. Over the last few years we have performed more than 100 cantatas as part of the Divine Liturgy. This is the first series of its kind in the region.
• Professional, resident brass ensemble which provides special music for Festival Services throughout the church year.
• Advent Lessons and Carols service completely devoted to the rich music of the Advent season.
• Fine Arts Academy
• Professional Trinity Chamber Artists (choir and orchestra) founded in 2010
• Sacred Concerts:
o Handel’s Messiah at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (annually)
o Bach St. Matthew Passion
o Bach St. John Passion
o Fauré Requiem
o Haydn Lord Nelson Mass
o Haydn Seven Last Words
o Brahms’s Requiem
o Schubert Mass in G
o Bach Easter Oratorio

Collaborations:
Through its outreach, Trinity enjoys a close relationship with its strategic alliance partner the Spire Chamber Ensemble (www.spirechamberensemble.org) as well as other local church and high school choirs.

Recent Commissions:
• Jake Runestad
• Z. Randall Stroope

For more information please visit: http://www.tlcms.org/MusicandtheArts.