Organist | Trinity Lutheran Church, Mission, KS (Kansas City Metro)

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 Ensemble 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    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

Contact Email: bens@tlcms.org

Organization Website: http://www.tlcms.org/MusicandtheArts

Salary Range: $26,500 – $31,000