First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego

4190 Front Street,  San Diego, CA, 92103Piano Accompanist & Collaborative Musician

First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego (FUUSD) is seeking a piano Accompanist whose primary responsibilities will be to accompany two, weekly choir rehearsals on Monday and Wednesday evenings 7 pm - 8:30 pm, and play for the weekly, Sunday 10 am Worship Service.  

Essential Functions:

• Accompany the Women’s Choir (SSA) Rehearsal on Mondays, 6:45 pm - 8:45 pm

• Accompany the Chalice Choir (SATB) Rehearsal on Wednesdays, 6:45 pm - 8:45 pm

• Provide all musical accompaniment for the Sunday Service, 10 am - 11:30 am with a pre-service rehearsal 9 am - 10 am which includes:

  • Rehearsing with choir and/or other musicians prior to the Service

  • Instrumental Prelude

  • All hymns and congregational songs

  • Instrumental Offering Music

  • Accompanying soloists, instrumentalists and small groups

  • Instrumental Postlude

• 30 min/week - Communicate with ministers and staff weekly for planning music selections and the timely publication of our printed Order of Service

• Attend occasional Music Team planning meetings (typically occur quarterly)

• Accompany all non-Sunday holidays and special events agreed upon at the start of the Church year in September (Example: Christmas Eve)

Skills and Experience

• Excellent piano skills and the ability to play in a wide variety of diverse styles

• Experience accompanying soloists and choirs

• The ability to follow the director and reinforce pedagogical techniques from the keyboard

• High level of competency reading music, playing choral parts in rehearsal, and playing both a written accompaniment and from a lead sheet

• Understands the differences implicit in accompanying choirs, instrumentalists, soloists and congregational singing  

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with other staff and congregants

• Is dependable, responsible, responsive, punctual and arrives prepared for rehearsals & services

• Familiarity with basic technology used in weekly worship planning and communication (Google Drive, email, Zoom, etc.)

• Familiarity with liberal religious traditions generally or Unitarian Universalism specifically and/or a willingness to learn

• The ability to play guitar and/or organ is not required but a big plus!

  
  

Compensation 

Compensation is $64.25 per hour. The weekly hours for this position may occasionally vary depending on holidays and other special events/services, but will typically be seven hours per week. The accompanist will be compensated for two hours on Monday & Wednesday Rehearsals and three hours for Sunday Services even though rehearsals will typically only be 1.5 hours, and Sunday rehearsal & service will typically be about two hours.  The position is year-round and subject to California Paid Sick Leave laws. 

Additionally, the Accompanist gets first right of refusal if music is required for a memorial, wedding, or other rite or ritual involving members or friends of FUUSD.  If they are willing and available, they will negotiate the fee, then get paid for this performance outside of this job description’s scope of work.  If they are not available, they are to inform the requester as quickly as possible and another accompanist will be found.

Music Ministry at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego 

The mission of First UU San Diego is to create community, to nurture spiritual growth, and to act on our values to help heal the world. 

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal faith which honors multiple spiritual paths, knowing we do not have to think alike to love alike. We understand and experience diversity in several ways. Our congregation is mixed in terms of age, and we have been attracting younger members, families, and friends in recent years. Although a small number of our members identify as people-of-color, we are intentionally engaging in various educational and structural shifts to become a more radically inclusive, welcoming, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive congregation. This work is jointly led by our Board of Trustees, our Journey Toward Wholeness team, and our ministers and staff. We expect the ministry of our congregation to occur through the lens of racial justice and dismantling racism, both internally and externally. 

The music ministry is an integral part of this transformative work. Our vision of music ministry is to explore, collaborate, worship, and be transformed through and by the music we make individually, in groups large and small, and with the whole community. We commit to creating opportunities for all to explore and participate to the full extent of their abilities and comfort. 

To see all our choirs, ensembles and musicians in action and to get a sense of our congregation and spirituality, see the video of our most recent Music Sunday Service.

Application & Audition Process

1. Please send a cover letter, resume, and related materials (references, works performed, videos of prior work), to Tony Bianca, Director of Spiritual Exploration & Worship Arts, at: tony@firstuusandiego.org. Please include “Accompanist” in the subject line.  

2. If we decide to move forward with the audition process, you will be invited to audition for a small committee.  You will be asked to come prepared with two pieces and will also be asked to play selections from our hymnals.

3. Final round applicants will be invited to a paid audition that will include accompanying one Wednesday evening choir rehearsal and a Sunday Service for which compensation will be $250. 

We intend to interview qualified candidates on a rolling basis as applications are received and hope to have the position filled before July 1.