Musical director

DATE POSTED: November 5, 2025

Built in 1700, Gloria Dei is the oldest church in Pennsylvania – and is still home to a vibrant faith community. Part of the Episcopal church since 1845, our congregation appreciates the breadth of both Christian traditions and musical expressions. While our Sunday worship service prominently features our 1903 Hook and Hastings organ, we also host numerous concerts each year – everything from chamber music on baroque instruments to local rock bands. In the past, Gloria Dei enjoyed both a choir and a hand-bell choir, though these have not been active for years; in the future, we hope to expand our capacity for musical engagement and potentially see a choir reformed. Therefore, we are seeking an Organist who will engage enthusiastically, collaboratively, and creatively with our community.

POSITION

Laity

COMMITMENT

Part Time

LOCATION

Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Episcopal Church

WEBSITE

CONTACT THE REV. CHRIS MICKLEWRIGHT

Details

Position Overview
Built in 1700, Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) is the oldest church in Pennsylvania – and is still home to a vibrant faith community. Part of the Episcopal church since 1845, our congregation appreciates the breadth of both Christian traditions and musical expressions. While our regular Sunday worship service prominently features our 1903 Hook and Hastings organ, we also host numerous concerts each year – everything from chamber music on baroque instruments to local rock bands. In the past, Gloria Dei has been delighted to have both a choir and a hand-bell choir, though these have not been active for the last 5-10 years; in the coming years, we hope to expand our capacity for musical engagement and potentially see a choir reformed. Overall, we are looking for someone who will engage enthusiastically, collaboratively, and creatively with our community.

Scope of Responsibilities
The Organist & Musical Director will:
Play the organ regularly for Sunday worship services (helping to arrange for substitutes when needed), as well as occasional special services (Christmas Eve, Candlemas, Holy Week, etc);
Work collaboratively with the Rector to plan hymns, service music, and preludes / postludes for weekly Sunday services;
Plan special music for occasional services (holidays, feast days, etc), to include recruiting and rehearsing with a paid choir – all in collaboration with the Rector and using budgets approved by the Vestry.
As availability allows, play the organ for weddings and funerals at Gloria Dei – to include consulting with couples or families as they select music for their event;
Over time, explore opportunities to deepen congregational capacity for participating in music, potentially including (but by no means limited to) handbells, a choir, a youth choir, and vocal or instrumental performances.

Qualifications
The Organist and Musical Director:
Must be able to play Gloria Dei’s 1903 Hook and Hastings organ in a lively and beautiful manner, and have experience with the body of Episcopalian music (especially the Hymnal 1982).
Must understand and enthusiastically support the open, welcoming, and joyful environment that Gloria Dei is seeking to maintain.
Must have a love for music, and preferably experience with teaching and creative engagement.
Must be a team player, able to collaborate with a wide array of community members.
Must have, or be able to obtain, current PA and FBI clearances for interacting with kids.

Supervision and Compensation
The Organist and Musical Director will report to the Rector of Gloria Dei. At present, this position will be structured on a contractual basis, with a stipend of $300 paid for each service played (approximately 60 services per year). Additional fees may be negotiated for work beyond planning and playing for services. If the budget allows, other arrangements may be available over time.

Interested Candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Rev. Chris Micklewright at
[email protected]. Applications will remain open through at least December 1, 2025.
We hope to have the position filled by January of 2026.


Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Episcopal Church
916 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
440-865-1490