Head organist
"I can recommend the profession of an organist to people who are interested in music and of having a versatile job description. In this work, you interact a lot with different kinds of people, so having good social skills is a plus."
- Rebekka Kinnunen
- Head organist in the parish of Pieksämäki.
- Has completed two different master's degrees in music at the Sibelius Academy and a degree in music pedagogy in Savonia University of Applied Sciences.
- 11 years of work experience in the field.
Briefly explain what you do for a living.
My work includes taking care of the music played at services, funerals, weddings and prayer meetings. I also direct the choir when it is practising and performing. Because I work as a head organist, I’m responsible for organising and managing the parish’s music-related work. I work as a supervisor for other organists and I’m responsible for the budget of music-related work and the relevant administrative tasks. In addition, I lead concert activities in the parish, manage marketing and cooperate with music and regional institutes, other parishes and selected partners.
How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?
Classical music has been my hobby since I was a kid, so the profession of an organist was a natural choice for me.
Describe your typical working day or week.
My typical working week consists of many different tasks. I’m responsible for the parish’s music activities. It means, for example, organising concerts and music events and leading the work of the organists. I also direct choir practice and practice my own playing. I’m responsible for the music at different events. This includes, for example, choosing hymns for services.
I also do some marketing and organise meetings. I spend a lot of time on computer, organising a wide range of small tasks.
What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?
I work in the office, at home and at different parish facilities, such as chapels and parish halls. Sometimes I also visit schools and old people’s homes.
My work is flexible as I do not have regular working hours. I usually work five days a week, and the length of my working days varies. Many events are held at weekends, which is why I often have weekdays off.
What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?
The most important requirement for working in the organist’s profession is musical competence. In addition, you need organisational and management skills and the ability to get along with people in a variety of situations that may involve a very wide range of emotions. The organist must work in front of even large audiences and withstand pressure.
What is the best thing about your profession?
The best thing about this profession is the wide scope, versatility and flexibility of the job description. I can work do both independent expert and supervisory work and collaborate with various actors. The work also allows me to use my creativity.
What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?
Sometimes the lack of regular working hours and having many small things to remember is stressful. You need to clear up space for your own artistic work, or you may risk it being buried under all other work.
What would you tell a person considering the profession of a head organist?
I can recommend the profession of an organist to people who are interested in music and of having a versatile job description. In this work, you interact a lot with different kinds of people, so having good social skills is a plus.
How do you see the future of your profession?
I believe that, in the future, the organist’s job description will expand and cooperation with different actors will increase.