Piano Accompanist

Piano Accompanist Job Description

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta (UUCA) is currently seeking a Piano Accompanist for our congregation, choir, small groups, and soloists. The ideal candidate will provide solo and service music for Wednesday evening rehearsals, Sunday morning worship services, and other special services as needed.

UUCA is located in the North Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta.

The accompanist position reports directly to the Director of Music.

Here’s what you will do:

• Accompany hymns and provide piano music for Sunday services. Provide piano music at special services such as Christmas Eve, Moravian Love Feast, Easter Sunday, etc.
• Select appropriate piano music for each service in coordination with the Director of Music.
• Accompany the choir at Wednesday evening and Sunday morning rehearsals from mid-August through mid-May. Accompany the choir at all Sunday services and special services as noted above. Rehearse with and accompany soloists at Sunday services and special services as stated above. Accompany extra rehearsals of the choir and soloists as needed.
• Work closely with the Director of Music to provide well-coordinated worship services.
• Oversee the tuning and maintenance of UUCA pianos, including our 1913 Steinway A. Funds shall be budgeted by the church to care for the instruments properly. Provide reports specifying maintenance needs to the Director of Music.
• Provide a qualified substitute for any Sunday services, special services, or rehearsals for which the accompanist is unavailable. Connect guest accompanists with the church Bookkeeper to be compensated.
• Be available and have the right of first refusal to provide piano music for all weddings, memorials, and rites of passage in the sanctuary for which such music is requested. Coordinate the music for these services with the minister officiating. Outside pianists may be used only with the permission of the accompanist. Fees for these services may be set by the accompanist in relation to AGO (American Guild of Organists) guidelines.
• Follow codes of ethics as specified by the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries and our staff covenant.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Excellent sight-reading skills.
• Four-year college or university degree in music, or equivalent professional training and experience.
• Experience as an accompanist, including the ability to follow a conductor and read an open choral score.
• Ability to work with amateur musicians in a supportive environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Degree in Collaborative Piano, Piano Performance, or Organ Performance.
• Experience conducting and leading rehearsals from the keyboard.
• Skill and experience playing and improvising from chord symbols.
• Experience playing in popular, folk, jazz, and gospel genres in addition to classical.
• Knowledge of standard vocal and choral repertoire.
• Vocal training or music education training.
• Vaccinated for Covid-19.

Remuneration:

• Remuneration is on a weekly basis, paid monthly as detailed in the contractual agreement between the Accompanist and UUCA. Typically, the Accompanist receives $300/week during the liturgical year (Late August through mid-May) and $200/week during the summer.
• Use of the church’s pianos for rehearsal regularly.
• Use of the church’s pianos for private teaching as available.
• Right of first refusal to perform at weddings, memorials, and rites of passage held in the church building and requiring piano music for additional compensation.

Working Conditions

• The Accompanist shall rehearse sufficiently to maintain a high quality of music at the piano.
• There will be an initial review after 90 days. After that, an annual performance review will be held with the Director of Music each June.
• The accompanist is expected to cooperate with all staff and musicians of the congregation so that musical life is enhanced within the life of the church.
• The accompanist is not expected but is welcome to attend monthly staff meetings.
• The accompanist shall have permission to conduct private piano lessons and make the pianos available to qualified students as available.

About the Instruments

The main piano in the sanctuary at UUCA is a 1913 Steinway A that has recently been fully rebuilt. It is one of the finest pianos in Atlanta. UUCA also has several keyboards and a Kawi upright piano.

To Apply:

Please send the following in an email to Director of Music, Donald Milton III - donald.milton@uuca.org

• Your resume
• A cover letter stating your interest. In your cover letter, please include a note about how you found out about this job posting and a short description stating why you’re interested in working with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta in this role. Please note relevant experience you have and other criteria you meet as listed in the “required” and “preferred” skill descriptions above. Please include information about your openness to and involvement with different spiritual perspectives, social justice issues, and environmental issues.

After reviewing initial applications, interviews are anticipated to be held in mid-August with a potential short assignment for shortlisted candidates. The start date is expected to be September 1. Please indicate if you do not wish for your application to be retained for other potential future opportunities. While we appreciate your interest, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

About Us:

UUCA aims to be a work environment free of discrimination. We respect one another’s differences, and empower employees to bring their whole selves to work. We value diversity, and we strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply for this position. If you require accommodation measures for the selection process, please notify us.

UUCA is a vibrant, innovative hub of engagement for Atlanta and beyond, where together members transform lives through courageous action and soulful connection. As one of the largest Unitarian Universalist congregations in the United States, UUCA aims to ground itself in creative, innovative worship and advance justice for people, our Earth, and all life on it. With roots in Atlanta going back more than 120 years, UUCA works to continue the Atlantan legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement through their ARAOMC (anti-racism, anti-oppression, and multicultural) resolution. Learn more about our mission and actions at www.uuca.org.