Find & Apply For Musician / Singer Jobs in Silverton, Oregon

JOB DESCRIPTION

Church Musician Church Musician of Trinity Lutheran Church Reports to: Pastor or Worship & Music Committee during Pastor vacancy

Level:

Part Time Salary:

Determined on experience (range $125-$250 per service plus $500/year for additional non-Sunday services throughout the year). Paid vacation time.

EXPECTATIONS

It is the expectation of the congregation that the position be held by a person who shares a high standard of dedication and skill toward the music ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church, Silverton, and that this person provides faithful, professional leadership in preparing music appropriate to the liturgy. The church musician works under the direction of the Pastor and works with the Worship and Music Committee closely to support the coordination of musicians and song leaders. The church musician, along with the Pastor, is responsible for leading the congregation in worship in a manner that enables them to experience the Gospel and give praise and thanks to God. The Church Musician leads the congregation's song in all seasons, both in music and inspiration. The church musician works with staff collaboratively to nurture and uphold these core values: To be skilled on the piano and/or organ. Deep-spirited worship The musician should be acquainted with or willing to learn the Lutheran liturgical heritage; have a Biblical foundation and understanding that is centered in the scriptures and preferably have a practical knowledge of and experience with Lutheran (ELCA) liturgy and music, as well as an understanding of the church, to sufficiently and appropriately provide music for traditional worship in conjunction with the Worship & Music Committee. Provide music that supports the liturgy and season of the church with reverence and joy, being open to new styles of worship; have an appreciation of the diversity of those people worshiping in our sanctuary space. Provide music in worship that is received with enthusiasm and appreciation by the congregation and the community, and that proclaims and illuminates the written and spoken Word. Communicate appropriately and respectfully with staff regarding needs, questions, and schedule. Be able to sufficiently accompany congregational and choir singing. The ability to play and work comfortably in a range of styles.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Prior experience as a church musician in one or more Protestant churches is preferred (experience in a Lutheran parish is a plus), but not required. Must possess excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with clergy, staff, volunteers, and congregants of all ages and backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. A person in this position will be required to have a clear background check, which will be done before official hire. Trinity Lutheran Church is a drug and smoke-free workplace. This person must have the ability to work in an environment and abide by safe church practices. Must be able to obtain or ensure transportation to arrive at church for each service or event.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide assistance and leadership by accompanying music with piano, organ, or both in worship for Sundays and all special worship services during the church year, which include, as needed: Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas Eve, and others as planned and agreed upon. Proficiency in keyboard skills in piano, organ, or both to lead and accompany the congregation in all styles of worship. Sight reading and accompanist skills appropriate for song leading support as needed. Rehearse if necessary with song leaders before worship.

Optional:

Provide information regarding music selections for prelude and postlude on time to the responsible person preparing the Sunday morning church bulletin (as determined by bulletin input deadline). Maintain a positive working relationship with clergy, worship assistants, other musicians, the office manager, and congregation members. Report to the Worship & Music Committee of the state and maintenance of musical instruments; to assist in planning for those repairs, keeping within the monetary guidelines of the church budget. Work in cooperation with the appropriate personnel to provide for maintenance and repair. When appropriate, special music is a part of the liturgy; assist in the planning and guidance with those involved as needed. Submit requests for music needed for the worship setting to the music and worship committee, keeping within the guidelines of the church budget. Other reimbursement requests must be submitted before purchase for approval. Plan in advance for a substitute for absences and vacation time, or seek assistance from the Worship and Music Committee to find appropriate substitutes. Leadership and organizational skills are needed for this position, with the ability to work and collaborate with all involved in worship. Be up to date with copyright law and follow proper copyright laws. Provide music to be played for prelude, postlude, offertory, communion distribution, and other times as needed during worship services. Currently, only the need for a prelude and postlude is necessary outside of the Sunday worship hymns and liturgy settings. Selecting prelude and postlude music that fits the scripture is encouraged but not required. Attending Worship & Music Committee meetings is recommended but not required. The Worship & Music Committee uses the guidance of the current lectionary and a resource called Sundays & Seasons to select weekly liturgy and hymns for worship service. The committee then communicates this to those involved in worship preparation and planning. Helping with the selection of hymns is optional and would require attending the Worship & Music Committee meetings. Work with the Worship & Music Committee on the timeline needed for appropriate practice and rehearsal time needed to play proficiently for Sunday worship. Seek and accept feedback from the Pastor, choir members, and congregation, assuring positive collaboration and communication in the delivery of your musical gifts with Trinity Lutheran Church. Attend the Church Council meetings as needed.

Professional Conduct:

Conduct yourself with professionalism, integrity, and sensitivity to the sacred nature of your role as a church musician, upholding the values and standards of Trinity Lutheran Church in all aspects of your work and interactions with others, written or verbal. Other duties as assigned

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The church musician is permitted to use the church organ and pianos for personal practice and private lessons as appropriate. When private lessons are offered, the scheduling must be done through the church office and work around the church's scheduling needs. The church musician shall have the right of first refusal in regard to providing music at all weddings and funerals that are held within the Church. Services of other musicians may be used only in consultation with the staff church musician. The Church musician has the right to set their own minimum fee for performing at a wedding ceremony or funeral scheduled at Trinity Lutheran Church. The fees for these services will be paid by the wedding party, family, or funeral home. Guest organists or recitalists shall not be permitted to use the church organ without prior consultation with the church musician. The church musician may participate in self-development activities, including workshops provided by the ELCA or the musical community at large. Financial help for workshops must be requested from the church council well in advance if reimbursement is requested.

ANNUAL EVALUATION

Conducted by the pastor and/or executive council members, in collaboration with the Worship & Music Committee, the church musician agrees to an annual evaluation of the church musician's ministry in the context of the total ministry of the congregation. During the first year of ministry, there will be a preliminary evaluation after 120 days.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define and solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This description is intended to indicate the kinds of work duties that will be required in this position. It is not intended to limit, or in any way modify, the rights of any supervisor to assign, direct, or contract work of staff under his/her supervision. The use of particular illustrations describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties, not mentioned, that are of a similar level of difficulty.

SALARY:

The monthly salary shall be paid once a month, normally at the end of the month, and the salary will be set and determined by the Trinity Lutheran Church Council. The church musician may have a choice of either receiving a 1099 MISC for their yearly income or requesting payroll services. For the latter, an I-9, Federal and Oregon W-4 are required, and Oregon Paid Family Leave, Oregon State Transit Tax, and Oregon Workers Benefit taxes will be withheld.

VACATION BENEFITS

4 paid Sundays off per year: 2 vacation, 2 sick days, or any combination thereof.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

Oregon is an "at-will" employment state. Employment with Trinity Lutheran Church is "at-will," meaning that either the employee or Trinity Lutheran Church may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without a reason or notice.

Application Process:

June 2026 Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter to the church office at trinitysilverton@gmail.com. In your cover letter, please share why you feel called to serve as the Church Musician for Trinity Lutheran Church and how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities outlined in this job description. If possible, please send a recording. Applicants may also be asked to provide references and participate in an interview process. We look forward to hearing from you! Join our church community as we work together to fulfill our mission, "Sharing the love of Christ," and to serve others with compassion and grace. Approved by the TLC Church council, June 2026

Pay:

$7,000.00 - $13,500.00 per year

Benefits:

Paid time off Professional development assistance

Work Location:

In person