Margeret Maurer

I currently am the Pianist at the church for all services, choir rehearsals, weddings, funerals and anything else that might be scheduled each week.  I weekly accompany the choir for two Sunday Masses and accompany the mid-week choir rehearsal.

One should have enough piano/organ lessons to be able to sight read keyboard and choral music on demand. That would be a minimum of anywhere from five to ten years piano lessons and organ lessons.  Playing piano and organ are not the same so specific training is required.  A degree in music, with organ or piano as instrument, though not required, will definitely be considered upon hiring and the knowledge that you would get regarding music theory and church music would be invaluable in getting a position. Studying in the field of choral directing is also good since the job often requires your to not only play the keyboard, but direct the choir. Experience in accompanying choral groups or community theater musicals is a real plus.

This is dependent upon the area of course.  Starting salary could be around $40-$50 a service.  However, once you have gained experience, anywhere from $100-$200 a service is normal in a larger city. 

So, being an organist is still pretty much an open field because so few folks actually study organ.  However, I would be lying if I said getting a job was no problem.  Churches are going more and more toward small bands which is edging out organ music and to an extend, piano also, especially if you are classically  trained.  All this really means is that though it IS  a competitive field, if you play well, you can probably find a job.  I found that expanding my music education to studying choral DIRECTING helped me find work over the years even easier because many churches hire one person to fill the position of Choir director/accompanist. 

Absolutely everything!  I get to do what I enjoy most, make music on the keyboard, with people who love to sing!  As the accompanist, I am not in charge of picking the service music (though that is required of some accompanists) but I have total control of the music I play before service starts, incidental music throughout and as people walk out of the service.  I love how the music I play evokes feelings and emotions for the folks who listen or sing along and unlike other 9 to 5 jobs, the positive feedback from people about what I do is wonderful.  Oh, and by the way, NOT a 9 to 5 job!  Practice time is totally up to MY schedule.  Yup, love my job!

The challenge would be being able to play anything that is thrown at you at the last minute.  Ministers and choir directors are known to do that...a lot. Sight reading is one of my personal strongest skills so I relish the chance to show it off when handed a piece, but if that is not your skill, you would find it a challenge.

Start with piano lessons, THEN after a couple years of piano, study organ. The basic keyboard training and the piano theory will make a good base for organ study.