Piano Accompanist

Fresno Pacific University; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

Fresno Pacific University’s Music Program seeks a part-time Piano Accompanist to support choral rehearsals, private studio instruction, juries, recitals, auditions, and program events.

The role requires strong sight-reading, experience accompanying ensembles, and the ability to work with students of varying skill levels, while upholding the university’s Christian mission. Availability for daytime, evening, and some weekend rehearsals is essential.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in piano performance and collaborative accompaniment.
• Strong sight-reading skills and ability to learn repertoire quickly.
• Experience accompanying singers, choirs, instrumentalists, or other ensembles in rehearsal and performance settings.
• Ability to work effectively with students of varying skill levels.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to support and uphold the mission and values of a Christian university.
• Availability for daytime, evening, and occasional weekend rehearsals or performances.
• Ability to travel locally for performances and music program events.

Responsibilities

• Accompany university choir rehearsals, sectionals, concerts, tours, and special performances.
• Collaborate with music faculty in preparing repertoire for performance.
• Assist with musical preparation and rehearsal support as requested.
• Provide accompaniment for auditions and recruitment events.
• Accompany students during private lessons, studio classes, juries, examinations, and performance assessments as assigned.
• Provide accompaniment for voice and instrumental students in preparation for recitals and other public performances.
• Collaborate with faculty and students to support artistic and educational outcomes.
• Accompany student, faculty, and guest recitals as assigned.
• Support departmental concerts, convocations, Spiritual Formation services, commencement ceremonies, and special university events.
• Participate in music program outreach and recruitment activities as needed.
• Assist with local travel for performances, tours, festivals, and community engagement events.

Skills

Piano performance

Sight-reading

Accompaniment experience

Student instruction

Interpersonal skills

Mission alignment

Availability for rehearsals

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Music

Job description

Department: School of Arts and Sciences, Music Program

Reports To: Fine Arts and Humanities Department Chair

Status: Non-Exempt, Part-Time (0-20 hours per week, depending on enrollment, performance schedules, and program needs)

The Piano Accompanist serves as a collaborative musician supporting the educational and performance activities of the Music Program. The accompanist provides piano support for choral rehearsals and performances, private studio instruction, juries, recitals, auditions, and other music program events.

• Accompany university choir rehearsals, sectionals, concerts, tours, and special performances.
• Collaborate with the music faculty in preparing repertoire for performance.
• Assist with musical preparation and rehearsal support as requested.
• Provide accompaniment for auditions and recruitment events.
• Accompany students during private lessons, studio classes, juries, examinations, and performance assessments as assigned.
• Provide accompaniment for voice and instrumental students in preparation for recitals and other public performances.
• Collaborate with faculty and students to support artistic and educational outcomes.
• Accompany student, faculty, and guest recitals as assigned.
• Support departmental concerts, convocations, Spiritual Formation services, commencement ceremonies, and special university events.
• Participate in music program outreach and recruitment activities as needed.
• Assist with local travel for performances, tours, festivals, and community engagement events.
• Maintain a high level of musicianship and professionalism.
• Prepare assigned repertoire independently and efficiently.
• Communicate effectively with faculty, students, and staff regarding scheduling and performance requirements.
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students and colleagues in a context of a Christian University, integrating your Christian faith into your role and responsibilities.
• Embrace the mission, vision, and values of Fresno Pacific University, affirm the FPU Faith Expectations, and support the ideals and practices articulated in "The Fresno Pacific Idea".
• Uphold and advance Fresno Pacific University’s commitment to Christ-centered higher education, holistic student development, and serving diverse communities.
• Complete tasks timely with work that is comprehensive, complete, and accurate
• Communicates clearly, listens attentively, and seeks to understand others
• Collaborates productively with colleagues of varying skillset
• Other job duties as assigned

Required:

• Demonstrated proficiency in piano performance and collaborative accompaniment.
• Strong sight-reading skills and ability to learn repertoire quickly.
• Experience accompanying singers, choirs, instrumentalists, or other ensembles in rehearsal and performance settings.
• Ability to work effectively with students of varying skill levels.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to support and uphold the mission and values of a Christian university.
• Availability for daytime, evening, and occasional weekend rehearsals or performances.
• Ability to travel locally for performances and music program events.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Music or a closely related field.
• Experience as a choral accompanist in collegiate, church, or community music settings.
• Experience accompanying voice and instrumental students.
• Familiarity with sacred choral literature and worship music.
• Experience in higher education, church ministry, or Christian educational environments.

Environmental Conditions:

• Indoors in classrooms, rehearsal spaces, performance venues, churches, and community locations associated with music program activities with little exposure to excessive, dust, fumes, vibrations, and temperature changes at least eighty percent (80%) of the time and moderate exposure to noise.
• Frequent computer use at a workstation, up to eight hours per day.
• Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
• Drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
• Public contact position requiring professional apparel, personal hygiene, and grooming.

Physical Demands:

• This position typically functions indoors in an office environment with light to moderate noise associated with business office equipment. The position may involve travel for meetings and events.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: remain in a stationary position 80 % of the time, be able to sit, perform, and rehearse at a piano for extended periods, move about inside the office to access file cabinets/office machinery etc., operate a computer and keyboard and other office productivity machinery such as calculators/copy machines/printers. The employee is occasionally required to position self to reach items on the floor and in high cabinetry.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members and be able to read a computer screen and paper documents.
• Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with law.

$32.00 - $36.00 per hour is the starting wage for this role and reflects what Fresno Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, FPU offers a competitive benefits package.

Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU’s Human Resources Department at [e-mail]. As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University’s governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.