Collaborative Pianist

Humboldt State University; Arcata (CA); On-site; USD 4,000 - 6,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

15 paid holidays per year

Fee waiver education program

Job summary

A public university in California is seeking a full-time Collaborative Pianist for their Department of Dance, Music, and Theatre. The role involves providing musical accompaniment and coaching for student ensembles and performances. Candidates should possess strong piano skills, improvisational abilities, and a background in music education. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package, competitive salary range, and opportunities for artistic collaboration and student engagement.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform in public as a collaborative pianist at the professional level.
• Knowledge of vocal, choral, and instrumental repertoire.
• Thorough familiarity with accompanying choral groups and soloists.

Responsibilities

• Play for large student performing groups.
• Rehearse with students and perform in recitals.
• Organize rehearsal and performance schedules.

Skills

Improvisation

Piano skills

Coaching artists

Sight reading

Organization skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in music

Master of Music in Performance

Job description

Apply now Job no: 552706
Work type: Staff
Location: Humboldt
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Probationary, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Dance, Music, and Theatre

Job #552706

First Review Date: February 6, 2026

Position Start Date: Fall Semester, Early August 2026

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands‑on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands‑on learning, inspired teaching, ground‑breaking research, and thought‑provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down‑to‑earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

Collaborative Pianist

(Job #552706) Collaborative Pianist, Salary Range: Step 1 ($4,241) – Step 20 ($6,177), Anticipated Hiring Range: Step 1 ($4,241) – Step 6 ($4,681). Final salary placement is commensurate with experience, internal equity, and budget considerations. This is a full‑time, benefited, 11/12 pay plan (work 11 months of the year with pay and benefits over 12 months), permanent position with a one‑year probationary period in the Department of Dance, Music, and Theatre. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre‑tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 15 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits.

Position Summary

The Collaborative Pianist plays for student ensembles, classes, rehearsals, and lessons, as well as faculty and guest artists. Coaches’ singers, instrumentalists, ensembles, and student composers.

Key Responsibilities

Play for large student performing groups such as University Singers, Mad River Transit Singers, Humboldt Chorale, Opera and Music Theater Workshop in rehearsals and performances – 30%

• Rehearse with choral groups, vocal sections, and soloists; play full and sectional accompaniment; provide high‑level musical instruction assistance in notes, rhythms, phrasing, and diction as needed.
• Accompany choral groups during rehearsals, at concerts, and other special events.
• Sight read accompaniments in rehearsals. Occasional duties include playing for warm‑ups.
• Provide basic improvisation as needed with the Jazz Choir and/or Musical Theater.
• Exhibit professional and stage etiquette to serve as a model of professionalism for students.
• As needed, perform in large instrumental ensembles.

Rehearse and perform with students in preparation for studio lessons, repertoire classes, composition and theory classes, and student recitals – 40%

• Perform with students in recitals, lessons, classes, juries, auditions, and competitions.
• Provide high‑level musical instruction assistance with pitches, rhythms, articulations, musical expression, diction, and memorization of parts. Provide support for instructions given by the studio teacher.
• Sight read accompaniments and student compositions in rehearsals and classes as needed. Provide basic improvisation as needed when playing from lead sheets.
• Make recordings of accompaniments for student practice.
• Exhibit professional and stage etiquette to serve as a model of professionalism at musical productions.
• Rehearse and perform in student ensembles during the Sequoia Chamber Music Workshop.

Rehearse and perform as a collaborative pianist with faculty and guest artists in solo and chamber music performances on and off campus – 10%

Practice in order to be prepared for rehearsals and performances – 10%

• Study and learn assigned music prior to rehearsals, classes, and performances to ensure efficient use of rehearsal time.

Organize rehearsal and performance schedules and sheet music – 5%

• Create and organize a sign‑up system for student rehearsals.
• Organize sheet music for each ensemble, rehearsal, class, and ensemble.
• Respond to inquiries and requests for information from students, faculty and staff regarding concerts, recitals, or other events.
• As needed, travel with faculty and student ensembles to out‑of‑town performances.

Other duties as assigned – 5%

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

• Knowledge of fundamentals of harmony; and skill in playing piano as accompanist.
• Ability to improvise music, ability to coach performing artists; ability to transcribe music from recordings.

As related to the major responsibilities for this position:

• Ability to perform in public as a collaborative pianist at the professional level.
• Ability to sight read keyboard music well, including open choral scores.
• Thorough familiarity with accompanying choral groups and soloists (instrument and vocal).
• Experience coaching performing artists.
• Knowledge of vocal, choral and instrumental repertoire.
• Ability to teach and work well with others.
• Ability to make audio recordings.
• Ability to organize schedules, including rooms which are used for coaching purposes, keeping track of hours, keeping a library of music available, using a computer to print out rehearsal schedules, etc.
• Strong communication skills and a desire to work with students.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Special training or coursework that would facilitate improvising music and/or coaching and accompanying.
• Experience which has led to a thorough familiarity with accompanying choral groups and soloists (instrumental and vocal). Experience in coaching performing artists may be required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in music with substantial training in Piano and accompanying or equivalent training and experience.
• Masters of Music in Performance and/or Accompanying or Collaborative piano preferred.
• Substantial experience accompanying choral ensembles.
• Substantial experience accompanying instrumentalists.
• Ability to perform in a variety of styles, including being able to improvise effectively in jazz styles.
• Experience coaching singer’s diction in English and other languages.
• Willingness to perform occasional accompaniments in public on harpsichord and/or organ.

Application Procedure:

To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three supervisory references

Application Deadline:

The deadline to submit application materials for first review is 11:55 p.m. on February 6, 2026. This position is open until filled.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to [e-mail] or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at [phone].

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long‑lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand‑alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on‑campus work assignments, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in‑person program or activity (on‑or off‑campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID‑19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to [e-mail].

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities.

Class Code: 2866
Publication Date: January 8, 2026

Advertised: 08 Jan 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:

Please note, there are known accessibility barriers in the use of this product. While many issues have been corrected, improvement work continues. For assistance with faculty positions, please contact the APS team at [phone] or email us at [e-mail]. For assistance with staff positions, please contact the HR team at [phone] or email us at [e-mail]

• Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services 1

Time Basis

• Full Time 1

Workplace Type (Exclude Inst Fac)

• On‑site (work in‑person at business location) 1

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the 2021 Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is now available for viewing at https://housing.humboldt.edu/sites/default/files/annual_fire_safety_report_for_housing_2021.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within Cal Poly Humboldt's housing facilities for 2018, 2019, and 2020, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing & Residence Life Department located at:
355 Granite Ave
Arcata, CA 95521
[phone]
[e-mail]