... organist and choir director for: • 4:00 pm Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings, • 8:00 am and 10:00 ... substitute musicians as needed. • Oversees all administrative duties of the parish sacred music ...
... organist and choir director for: • 4:00 pm Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings, • 8:00 am and 10:00 ... substitute musicians as needed. • Oversees all administrative duties of the parish sacred music ...
PIANO ACCOMPANIST - MASTER CHORUS POOL
Corpus Christi, TX · On-site
$25/hr
Minimum Qualifications Associates Degree in Music OR three (3) years Piano Accompanist experience may substitute for educational requirement Required Job Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Strong ...
PIANO ACCOMPANIST - MASTER CHORUS POOL
Corpus Christi, TX · On-site
$25/hr
Minimum Qualifications Associates Degree in Music OR three (3) years Piano Accompanist experience may substitute for educational requirement Required Job Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Strong ...
Substitute Organist information
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$8.41 - $9.99
3% of jobs
$9.99 - $11.56
10% of jobs
$11.56 - $13.13
10% of jobs
$13.31 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$13.13 - $14.71
23% of jobs
The median wage is $15.08 / hr.
$14.71 - $16.28
18% of jobs
$17.38 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$16.28 - $17.85
16% of jobs
$17.85 - $19.43
6% of jobs
$19.43 - $21
6% of jobs
$21 - $22.57
3% of jobs
$22.57 - $24.15
2% of jobs
$24.15 - $25.72
2% of jobs
$8
$16
$25
How much do substitute organist jobs pay per hour?
As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for substitute organist in the United States is $16.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.22 and $17.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is a substitute organist?
Substitute organists are musicians who temporarily fill in for regular organists during services, concerts, or events when the primary organist is unavailable. They may work in churches, synagogues, or other venues that require organ music, and are expected to be proficient in playing the organ, sight-reading, and sometimes accompanying choirs or soloists. Substitute organists often need to adapt quickly to different instruments, worship styles, and repertoires, making flexibility and reliability essential qualities for the role.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a substitute organist, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Substitute Organist, you need strong proficiency in organ performance, sight-reading, and a solid understanding of liturgical or concert repertoire, often supported by formal music education or certifications like the AGO (American Guild of Organists) certification. Familiarity with various types of organs, church music software, and service planning tools is typically required. Excellent adaptability, punctuality, and communication skills help you integrate quickly with different congregations and musical teams. These skills ensure seamless musical leadership and maintain the quality and continuity of worship or events when the regular organist is unavailable.
What are some common challenges faced by substitute organists when joining a new congregation or venue?
Substitute organists often face the challenge of quickly adapting to unfamiliar instruments and varying acoustics in each new venue. They may have limited rehearsal time to become comfortable with the organ’s layout and settings. Additionally, understanding the specific liturgical requirements, musical preferences, and coordinating smoothly with choirs or other musicians can be demanding. Flexibility, strong sight-reading skills, and effective communication with staff and congregants are essential for a smooth transition.
What is the difference between Substitute Organist vs Church Musician?
| Aspect | Substitute Organist | Church Musician |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Organ certification or experience, sometimes music degrees | Music degree or church music certification often preferred |
| Work Environment | Performs during services as needed, often in churches or religious institutions | Regularly involved in planning, rehearsals, and leading music in church services |
| Employer & Industry | Religious organizations, churches | Religious organizations, churches, and sometimes schools |
| Search & Comparison Intent | Looking for temporary or substitute roles | Seeking full-time or regular church music positions |
The main difference between a Substitute Organist and a Church Musician is that the Substitute Organist performs temporarily or as needed, often filling in for the regular organist. In contrast, a Church Musician typically has a more ongoing, regular role involving planning and leading music during church services. Both roles require similar credentials, but their job scope and employment stability differ.
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What job categories do people searching Substitute Organist jobs look for?
The top searched job categories for Substitute Organist jobs are:
Full-time
Re-posted yesterday
Key responsibilities
Serves as the primary organist and choir director for liturgical celebrations and special events.
Collaborates with liturgical team and parish staff to plan and enhance musical aspects of worship and liturgical seasons.
Oversees administrative duties related to the parish sacred music program, including choir recruitment, rehearsals, and maintenance of musical instruments.
Job description
Job Type
Full-time
Description
Title: Coordinator of Sacred Music (CSM)
Grade: 3-B, Full time, Exempt
Department: Music
Supervisor: Parochial Administrator and Parish Manager
Last Revised: 4/17/2023
Purpose and Scope
Under the Direction of the Parochial Administrator, the Coordinator of Sacred Music provides overall coordination of the parish sacred music program.
Essential Job Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Serves as the primary organist and choir director for:
• 4:00 pm Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings,
• 8:00 am and 10:00 am Sunday Masses.
• Funerals, weddings, Christmas, Christmas Concert, Triduum
• Holy Days
• Other liturgical celebrations
• Meets with parishioners and families to assist in song selection for funerals and weddings.
• Attends all liturgy and staff meetings.
• Responsible for arranging substitute musicians as needed.
• Oversees all administrative duties of the parish sacred music program, including the fulfillment of reporting requirements for copyright licenses, responsible for all hymnody, psalms. Proposes sacred music program operational budgets; Directs, recruits, rehearses parish choirs and works with cantors to prepare for liturgies.
• Collaborates with Parochial Administrator, and all members of liturgical team for seasonal liturgical planning.
• Collaborates with the Parochial Administrator to enhance congregational singing at all Masses. Works to educate and enhance the parish's singing of hymns, contemporary worship songs and plain chant.
• Responsible for maintaining the integrity of the scripts for the celebration of the Triduum and updating as necessary.
• Organizes musical elements for liturgies outside of Masses.
• Responsible for the maintenance of all musical instruments at St, Steven's.
• Weekly time commitment includes all administrative duties, emails, music planning, research and study, practice time, rehearsals for regular and special Masses, and special programs related to parish-sponsored ministries.
• Performs any other job-related duties as necessary for the smooth flow of work in the department.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
Minimum Qualifications
Work Environment
• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Physical Demands
• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Full-time
Description
Title: Coordinator of Sacred Music (CSM)
Grade: 3-B, Full time, Exempt
Department: Music
Supervisor: Parochial Administrator and Parish Manager
Last Revised: 4/17/2023
Purpose and Scope
Under the Direction of the Parochial Administrator, the Coordinator of Sacred Music provides overall coordination of the parish sacred music program.
Essential Job Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Serves as the primary organist and choir director for:
• 4:00 pm Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings,
• 8:00 am and 10:00 am Sunday Masses.
• Funerals, weddings, Christmas, Christmas Concert, Triduum
• Holy Days
• Other liturgical celebrations
• Meets with parishioners and families to assist in song selection for funerals and weddings.
• Attends all liturgy and staff meetings.
• Responsible for arranging substitute musicians as needed.
• Oversees all administrative duties of the parish sacred music program, including the fulfillment of reporting requirements for copyright licenses, responsible for all hymnody, psalms. Proposes sacred music program operational budgets; Directs, recruits, rehearses parish choirs and works with cantors to prepare for liturgies.
• Collaborates with Parochial Administrator, and all members of liturgical team for seasonal liturgical planning.
• Collaborates with the Parochial Administrator to enhance congregational singing at all Masses. Works to educate and enhance the parish's singing of hymns, contemporary worship songs and plain chant.
• Responsible for maintaining the integrity of the scripts for the celebration of the Triduum and updating as necessary.
• Organizes musical elements for liturgies outside of Masses.
• Responsible for the maintenance of all musical instruments at St, Steven's.
• Weekly time commitment includes all administrative duties, emails, music planning, research and study, practice time, rehearsals for regular and special Masses, and special programs related to parish-sponsored ministries.
• Performs any other job-related duties as necessary for the smooth flow of work in the department.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
- Excellent written, oral communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with others.
- Ability to empower people to sing and engage the parish in the musical celebration of faith at worship.
- Proficiency in piano and organ as well as basic guitar ability.
- Knowledge of Catholic Liturgy form and standards.
- Knowledge of contemporary songs, choral music, plain chant in English and Latin, as well as English hymnody and choral conducting.
- Some understanding of acoustics especially as they pertain to parish worship spaces.
Minimum Qualifications
- Active, practicing Catholic who is in full communion with the Church.
- Able to articulate a clear understanding of the Catholic faith, and to serve as a committed witness to its mission.
- Degree/Certification in music or another related field.
- Liturgical music experience in the Roman Catholic tradition
- Proficiency in organ, piano, accompaniment and or vocal/choral conducting.
Work Environment
• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Physical Demands
• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.