Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis
JobDescription
Collaborative Pianist
Board Approved 2025_01_14
Reports to
Music Director (or Minister in absence of Music Director)
Status
Non-Exempt; Hourly: 52 weeks (average of8 hoursper week),
up to 4 weeks off per mutual agreement with Music Director
POSITION SUMMARY
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, a liberal spiritual community, seeks a skilled and versatile Collaborative Pianist to join our music ministry team. As an integral part of our 250+ member congregation’s worship life, the Collaborative Pianist works in partnership with our Music Director to provide musical accompaniment that enriches our spiritual experience and supports our community’s vocal and instrumental ensembles.
We are looking for a pianist to bring their own personality as well as technical excellence and spiritual sensitivity to worship services, choir rehearsals, and special music programs. The ideal candidate is comfortable with various musical styles, from traditional hymns to contemporary pieces, and shares our commitment to building a multicultural Beloved Community through music. As we live into our 8th Principle work, we seek someone who approaches musical collaboration with cultural awareness and an appreciation for diverse musical traditions.
The Collaborative Pianist accompanies our adult choir, supports our emerging children’s choir (as needed), and works closely with the Music Director and minister to create meaningful worship experiences. This position offers the opportunity to be part of a congregation that values both musical excellence and inclusive community, where love is at the center of all we do.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Coordinate with Music Director and Minister (and worship guests) to plan, prepare, and play music
- Accompany choir and guest musicians during rehearsals and worship
- Accompany the emerging house band, as necessary
- Provide accompaniment for Sunday services
- Provide music for non-Sunday services as needed (or identify a substitute in event of unavailability): e.g. Solstice, Blue Christmas, Christmas Eve, ordinations and installations
- Occasionally, accompany the adult choir for special events
- Support the children’s choir as needed
- Serve as substitute music leader in the absence of the Music Director
- Alert the Music Director of planned or last-minute absences and arrange for a substitute
- Other duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Able to play a variety of musical styles including but not limited to: classical, modern, popular, folk and culturally based, sacred/liturgical
- Understand music composition, transposition and arranging
- Sight-read music and open score
- Ability to work with aural music traditions
- Choral accompaniment experience
- Experience working with individuals whose degree of music experience and ability varies
- Works effectively and respectfully with a diversity of members, volunteers, and the public
- Independent, dependable, takes initiative
- Able to adjust to last-minute requests
- Communicates respectfully
Preferred Attributes:
- Knowledge of and support for Unitarian Universalist values (the candidate does not need to be UU)
- Familiarity with other instruments
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Choir meets all year with a mid-summer break
- Work normally performed indoors
OTHER
First Right of Refusal: to play piano for rites of passage (memorials, weddings, etc.). Accompanist rates are set prior to the event and are the exclusive property of the Collaborative Pianist.