So you want to be a substitute organist?
As I have found over several years as a substitute organist, this can be a creative challenge as all organs, organ consoles, all pedal boards, all churches and all services/Masses may be quite different!
From the very first contact by telephone call, email or text, be prepared to ask several detailed questions. Here’s a checklist to help you along.
What services/Masses are to be played and their schedule of times?
What is included in each service/Mass – Prelude, Offertory, Postlude, hymns, anthems, responses, solos, chimes or any other anomalies?
Keys – do you need keys to the organ console, access to the church, access to the balcony and organ on/off switch?
Lights – where are the lights for the church, organ console (pedal, music rack or other special lights), balcony lights?
Organ console – which memory levels can you use (if none, are you able to change any pistons), any other anomalies of the organ console of what works or does not?
Choir – do you have to rehearse choral music (or solo music) and where are rehearsals (both on choir rehearsal night or Sunday)?
Service music – what are the usual introductions for hymns, responses, solos, liturgical Mass settings and meters of the usual responses such as the Gloria Patri, Doxology and Mass settings (I have always found that it is best to develop a relationship with a Cantor or choir member to ask questions about the usual introductions to hymns and service music and to help give cues for when to play the musical portions of the service/Mass)?
Improvisation – is there any requirement for improvisation during the service/Mass settings (such as the incensing of the altar, Preparation of the Gifts, the Offertory or during communion?
Anomalies – are there any unusual aspects that you need to be aware of during the service/Mass?
Music – are you able to get all service/Mass music ahead of time to practice?
Practice time – what is the practice time allotment on the organ during the week previous or on the day prior to the service/Mass?
Remuneration – when and how much are you going to be paid, is the organist going to pay you, when does the church pay and/or does the church pay only once a month?
Be prepared – be prepared for anything – changes can happen during the service/Mass:
- Clergy can get lost in the liturgy or just forget to show up
- Cantor does not show up
- Power outages
- bridal couple or bridal party member can be late or a member can faint during the wedding (similar for funerals also)
Be ready to adapt.
Over the years obviously I have returned several times to many of the same churches and memorized the uniqueness of each organ console and pedalboard (they are all different).
I have also found that I remember many of the same choir and congregation members and they do remember me in return!
I have noticed in many locations a strange phenomenon – sometimes the registrations that I had set on pistons are still there many months later!
Serving as a substitute organist instead of holding a position has one further distinct advantage – there are no church politics!
Now you are ready to go! Enjoy the life of a substitute organist!
Robert E. Woodworth Jr.
Secretary, North Shore Chapter AGO