Collaborative Pianist

San Joaquin Delta College; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, CA seeks a piano accompanist to support music and drama courses, rehearsals, and performances. The role involves accompanying vocal ensembles, large and small ensembles, recitals, and classroom activities, with attention to style, tempo, and cues.

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in music with piano emphasis and at least four years of piano/keyboard performance experience, with the ability to transpose at sight and collaborate with conductors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in music with an emphasis on piano.
• Four years’ experience in piano/keyboard performance.
• Ability to transpose at sight and collaborate with conductors.

Responsibilities

• Accompany rehearsals and performances for vocal ensembles and choirs.
• Accompany individual student recitals and department performances.
• Coordinate accompanist rehearsals and assist with piano maintenance and tuning as needed.

Skills

Transposition at sight

Collaboration with conductors

Improvisation

Reading lead sheets

Music theory awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in music with piano emphasis

Tools

MIDI hardware/software

Job description

Under the direction of the assigned manager, provide a variety of piano accompaniment for music, drama courses and performances. The assignment includes accompanying large and small ensembles in rehearsal and public performance as well as individual students performing in department-sponsored recitals and performances. The accompanist is required to interpret various styles of performance within the context of the musical genre, ensemble, venue, and musical needs to support the performance requirements of the event.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Accompany rehearsals and performances of the District’s vocal ensembles, reading at sight a variety of musical literature including vocal scores, piano reductions of orchestral literature, and solo accompaniments.
• Accompany rehearsals and performances for individual student recitals; assist students during the preparation of musical works by coordinating the accompaniment and the performing medium.
• Use considerable initiative and work independently assisting students with the preparation and performance of solo literature.
• Independently schedule accompanist/student rehearsal times.
• Provide leadership and direction to students in support of their assigned musical performance work.
• Record accompaniment tapes for student study purposes.
• Work regularly with groups of students in sectional and chamber ensemble rehearsals assisting with the interpretation of musical concepts.
• Work collaboratively and regularly with the faculty and staff in preparation for class rehearsals and performances.
• Work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Assist in the Music Library and Lab.
• Accompany choirs, touring groups, dance groups and other ensembles covering a wide range of music styles, music periods or courses.
• Perform basic Piano maintenance, order piano repair and tuning, as needed.
• Perform accurate and stylistically appropriate piano accompaniment for the concert choir, Delta Singers, Delta Vocal Jazz and Musical Theater.
• Instruct students regarding correct musicianship, style elements and aspects of melody and rhythm.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge of

• Piano accompaniment.
• Reading score music, musical phrasing, and musical performance.
• Wide range of music genres.
• Musical theater conventions.

Ability to

• Transpose at sight.
• Work collaboratively with conductors and ensembles, altering musical style in conformance with the conductor's interpretation and direction.
• Operate standard office equipment including computers with associated software applications.
• Use Musical Instrument Digital Interface hardware and software.
• Analyze musical transitions and cuts within student pieces.
• Work with a variety of artists who are instructors, conductors and other musicians.
• Improvise within stylistically appropriate parameters.
• Read lead sheets.
• Compose introductions, endings and transitional passages, where necessary.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with all employees and others encountered in the course of work.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, linguistics, and ethnic backgrounds and disabilities of community college students and staff as demonstrated by skills and abilities in cultural responsiveness and cultural humility.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in music with an emphasis on piano.

Experience

Four years’ experience in piano/keyboard performance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the San Joaquin Delta College will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

Physical Demands

Manual dexterity to play a piano set for long periods of time.

Work Environment

Seating at piano, stage and rehearsal environment.