Collaborative Pianist

Brandywine Valley Chorale; Unionville (Centre County); On-site; USD 4,300 - 5,800; Part time

Job summary

Brandywine Valley Chorale is seeking an experienced collaborative pianist to join our artistic team beginning in January 2027. The ideal candidate is a musician who is more than an accomplished pianist: someone who partners with the singers, educators, and conductor to shape rehearsals and performances.

The position is part-time and contracted (1099), with duties including weekly rehearsals, leading sectionals, and adapting accompaniment to support pitch, tempo, and ensemble balance.

Qualifications

• Outstanding piano proficiency and background in choral music.
• Excellent sight-reading skills.
• Ability to read open choral scores (SATB) fluently; multi-part reading preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide piano accompaniment for weekly rehearsals and performances.
• Lead sectionals from the keyboard as needed.
• Collaborate with the Artistic Director to support artistic vision.
• Adapt accompaniment to correct pitch, intonation, tempo, and phrasing.
• Support confident singing and ensemble balance.

Skills

Piano proficiency

Choral repertoire knowledge

Sight-reading

SATB score reading

Job description

The Brandywine Valley Chorale (BVC) is seeking an experienced collaborative pianist to join our artistic team beginning in January 2027. The ideal candidate for this part‑time position is a musician who is much more than an accomplished pianist: someone who has a deep understanding of the unique role of the accompanist as a musical partner, educator, and leader in rehearsals in many ways.

The ideal candidate will combine exceptional piano skills with a strong background of experience in choral music and the flexibility to adapt to the ensemble’s needs in both rehearsal and performance.

About the BVC

The Brandywine Valley Chorale, founded in 2007, is an auditioned SATB chorus made up of 70+ members. Our mission is to foster and share the art of choral music, as well as serve the Brandywine Valley community through the pursuit of excellence in a wide variety of repertoire and performance opportunities.

Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:15 p.m., September through December and January through May. The BVC has traditionally held two major performances each season, one in early December and another in early May. The ensemble often plans additional run‑out concerts and other one‑time events, particularly in December.

About the Position

This is a contracted (1099) position paid at a rate of $5,000 per year (with half paid at the time of the December concert and the other half paid at the May concert).

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide piano accompaniment for weekly rehearsals, concerts, and other activities as needed.
• Lead occasional sectionals from the keyboard as needed.
• Work closely with the Artistic Director and Assistant Director to support artistic vision and growth.
• Take an active role in guiding the ensemble from the piano, adapting accompaniment strategies as necessary to help correct pitch errors, improve intonation, set tempo, and so on.
• Reinforce vocal lines or adjust piano textures as needed to support confident singing and successful rehearsals.
• Respond sensitively and naturally to tempo, dynamics, phrasing, and musical interpretation.

Desired Qualifications

1. Outstanding piano proficiency

• Advanced piano skills with the technical facility to perform choral repertoire from a wide variety of time periods and in multiple styles, both in the context of a larger instrumental ensemble and otherwise.
• Excellent sight‑reading skills.
• Ability to read open choral scores (SATB) fluently; experience reading five or more parts is highly desirable.

2. Choral experience

• A strong understanding of choral singing and rehearsal techniques, ideally through experience as a choral director, singer, accompanist, or some combination.
• Understand standard choral repertoire, style, and performance practice.
• Recognize which sections or voice parts need reinforcement during rehearsal.
• Listen critically for rhythm, pitch, intonation, balance, diction, and ensemble issues.
• Be open to collaborating with the conductor and comfortable both offering and accepting thoughtful musical observations and suggestions.
• Demonstrate familiarity with standard choral diction in ecclesiastical Latin, German, and other commonly performed languages.

3. Collaborative musicianship

• Play "with" rather than "for" the choir.
• Breathe naturally with singers and anticipate musical phrases.
• Adapt instantly and proactively to the musical needs of the moment without interrupting the rehearsal process.

4. Personal qualities

• Strong communication and teaching abilities.
• Professionalism, reliability, and punctuality.
• A collaborative spirit and enjoyment of community music‑making.

The Brandywine Valley Chorale is an equal opportunity employer. The BVC does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.