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THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA CHAPTER
PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS BOOKLET
(Compiled Spring 2001)

Purpose of the A.G.O. Code of Ethics Code of Standards

Duties of the Church/Temple Musician Salaries and Fees National A.G.O. Resources

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of the American Guild of Organists is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members.

Members of the American Guild of Organists are bound by the Code of Ethics and guided by the Code of Standards.
 
 

CODE OF ETHICS
Approved by National Council 7/02/00

Preamble: The purpose of the American Guild of Organists is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members. Voting members are entitled to enjoy the privileges and are expected to accept the responsibilities of membership in the Guild. Members shall be considered equally for Guild offices and participation in Guild activities. These are the rules that shall be considered binding upon all voting members in good standing.

RULE 1. Members shall promote good working relationships within the American Guild of Organists and shall respect the employment of colleagues. Members shall address differences between themselves and other members by following the procedures outlined in the Discipline.

RULE 2. Members shall not seek or appear to be seeking employment for themselves, a student or a colleague, in a position held by someone else. Members shall apply for employment only for a position which the employer, with the knowledge of the incumbent musician, has officially and publicly declared vacant by announcement of the vacancy.

RULE 3. In cases pending under the Procedures or in cases where the National Council has determined that a position has been made vacant by wrongful termination of a member of the American Guild of Organists, members shall not seek or accept regular or permanent employment for themselves, a student or colleague at that Institution until the National Council is satisfied that differences between the Guild and the Institution have been resolved. Interim services may be provided for a period of 90 days.

RULE 4. Before accepting an engagement for a wedding, funeral, or other service, members shall obtain the approval of the incumbent musician. In cases where this engagement has been requested by a third party, it is appropriate for the third party to offer the incumbent his/her customary fee.. It is the responsibility of members to inform the third party of this rule.

RULE 5. Members shall conduct professional activities with truthfulness, honesty and integrity, and shall maintain sensitivity in matters of a personal or confidential nature.

RULE 6. Members shall not discriminate against others on the basis of race, national origin, age, religious affiliation, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or medical condition (including, but not limited to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

-Updated Wed, Aug 30, 2000

Members of the American Guild of Organists are bound by the Code of Ethics and guided by the Code of Professional Standards. Members of the American Guild of Organists dedicate themselves to the highest standard of professionalism, integrity and competence. The following principles are guidelines for the conduct of members in fulfilling their obligations as professional musicians.

PROFESSIONAL CODE OF STANDARDS
Approved by National Council 7/02/00

Skills:

• Members develop and maintain skills in performance, improvisation, service playing, conducting, arranging, and composing commensurate with their duties.
• Members stay abreast of current developments in liturgy, hymnody, performance practice, and musicology through continuing education.
• Members become knowledgeable in the liturgy and worship traditions of the institutions they serve.
• Members acquire business, administrative and interpersonal skills to perform their duties.

Employment Matters:

• Members agree to employment only after reaching a clear understanding of the position, the employer's expectations, and the lines of accountability.
• Members request written contracts that protect employee and employer.
• Members maintain courteous and respectful relationships with other staff members and members of their congregations, making an effort to resolve potential conflicts as soon as they become evident.
• Members address differences with employing institutions through appropriate channels, including, but not limited to, their contract, the institution's personnel policies manual, and the Guild's Procedures for Dealing with Complaints about Termination

Respect for Colleagues:

• Members supervise other musicians in a professional and courteous manner.
• Members respect the intellectual property rights of composers, authors and publishers by complying with the Copyright Law and licensing requirements regarding reproduction, recording, distribution, broadcasting and performing rights.
• Members address differences with other members of the American Guild of Organists by following the procedures outlined in the Discipline.
• Members do not discriminate against others on the basis of race, national origin, age, religious affiliation, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or medical condition (including, but not limited to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

            -Updated Wed, Aug 30, 2000
 
 

DUTIES OF THE CHURCH/TEMPLE MUSICIAN

The role of the musician in the life and worship of the congregation is very important and should never be disregarded. Even though most congregation members do not realize the amount of behind-the-scenes work the musician must accomplish, it is necessary to do that work in order to achieve the desired outcome. The following list of duties may apply only to the organist, only to the choral director, or to both.

A. Planning - Administration

Planning and administration are usually the least favorite tasks of a musician, but must be done to assure a high quality music program.

1. To attend pastoral staff, music staff, and worship committee meetings
2. To do budget planning for music, instruments, and maintenance of the organ, piano, and other equipment
3. To set long-range goals and future needs

B. Keyboard Service Music

Many congregations feel that they have employed an accomplished keyboard musician, so why should the person need to practice? The musician should stress to the music committee the importance of having time to practice. There is no other way of accomplishing the desired results except by setting aside time to practice. Practicing includes the following work:
 

1. Reviewing and selecting music appropriate to the worship service and/or liturgical calendar; submitting titles to the church secretary
2. Having personal practice time necessary for performance at the highest level of ability
3. Learning and adapting repertoire for accompaniment of the choir and/or soloists
4. Preparing music for congregational singing
5. Supervising use and maintenance of the piano, organ, and equipment

C. Choral Directing

Even choir members who do not read music can tell when the director is not prepared for rehearsal or worship. Nothing sets a positive tone for a rehearsal or worship better than for the director to be prepared and relaxed.

1. Reviewing, selecting and ordering music appropriate to worship services and/or the liturgical calendar; submitting titles to the secretary
2. Studying and having personal practice time in preparation for rehearsals and performances
3. Supervising the library of choral music
4. Scheduling choir rehearsals
5. Recruiting members of the congregation to enhance the music program and develop their talents
6. Ongoing communications with choir members and the congregation which may include phone calls, newsletters, preparation of notes for the bulletin, and other duties.

D. Professional development

It might not be as critical for a musician to be as accomplished at his or her skill as a brain surgeon, but for the worship of God it is important for the musician to reach the highest possible level of musicianship. Professional Development includes:

1. Acquiring private keyboard study and/or vocal training
2. Attending conferences and workshops at local, state, and national levels
3. Actively participating in professional organizations

SALARIES AND FEES

A full schedule of salary recommendations and considerations can be found on the American Guild of Organists National Website at www.agohp.org. The following fee scale has been adapted for the area served by the Evansville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (as of Spring 2001). Fees are intended as suggestions and should be adapted to the particular situation, service, training and experience of the musicians, and other factors.

Weddings

1. Service fees: $100-250
2. Rehearsal of soloists, instrumentalists, choirs: $25-100 per hour
3. Mileage of 32.5 cents per mile if visits to the church for practice exceeds 20 minutes travel time
4. Charge for making arrangements with singers and instrumentalists to perform at the wedding $15-25 per person (Does not include singer or instrumentalist fees)

Funerals

1. Service fees: $85-125 (The musician may choose to make the funeral director of his or her fee.)
2. Rehearsal of soloists, instrumentalists and/or choirs: $25-100 per hour
3. Mileage of 32.5 cents per mile if visits to the church for practice exceeds 20 minutes travel time
4. Charge for making arrangements with singers and instrumentalists to perform at the funeral: $15-25 per person (Does not include singer or instrumentalist fees)

Substitutes/Fees

The music budget should make allowance for payment of competent substitutes in the absence of the musician for vacation, continuing education, or other approved leave. The organist should procure the substitute musician.

1. One service, organist only: $75-125
2. Additional duplicate service: $45-60
3. Choir rehearsal during the week: $50-100

NATIONAL  WEBSITES

The National AGO website address is www.agohq.org.  The Employment section for musicians and employing institutions is http://www.agohq.org/profession/indexjobs.html.

The National website has an enormous amount of information that is beneficial to all church musicians and organists in general. This information includes salaries, benefits, and fees, and a sample employment contract. There are also links to many local chapter websites.

The Evansville chapter site is a great way to keep up with events that are happening locally, especially since the chapter covers such a large area.

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Evansville AGO Professional Concerns Committee:
Betty Altheide, Chair
Dorothy Bray-Seibert
Kevin Ellerbusch
Cynthia Grassman
--Spring 2001