Piano Accompanist—Middle & High School Choral Program

Maine Coast Waldorf School; Freeport (ME); On-site; USD 49,194; Part time

Job summary

A community-focused educational institution in Freeport is seeking a skilled Piano Accompanist to support the Middle and High School music programs. The role involves accompanying choirs, classes, and performances, while providing a warm, collaborative presence in the classroom. Candidates should possess strong piano skills, experience with vocal ensembles, and the ability to adapt to varied rehearsal needs. This position offers $35.71 per hour and the opportunity to engage with a diverse student body.

Qualifications

• Strong piano skills with experience accompanying vocal ensembles.
• Ability to read scores fluently and adapt to rehearsal needs in real time.
• Must already be authorized to work in the U.S.A.

Responsibilities

• Support the Middle School, High School, and upper elementary music program.
• Accompany two major concerts per year and select school assemblies.
• Serve as a collaborative presence in the classroom.

Skills

Strong piano skills

Experience accompanying vocal ensembles

Ability to read scores fluently

Job description

Position Overview

Maine Coast Waldorf School seeks a skilled and collaborative Piano Accompanist to support our Middle School, High School, and upper elementary music program. This position is central to the musical life of the school and works in close partnership with the Coordinator of Music Education (choral director) to support students’ musical development. The ideal candidate is not only a strong pianist, but also a flexible, observant, and supportive presence in the classroom.

Schedule & Responsibilities

Rehearsals & Classes

• Approximately 6–8 hours per week for classes (200–300 hours per academic year)

Attend and accompany

• High School Chorus (2 mornings per week, 45 minutes)
• Middle School Chorus (2 mornings per week, 45 minutes)
• 5th Grade Music Class (2 mornings per week, 45 minutes)
• Classes are scheduled in close succession to allow the accompanist to be on campus for a single, continuous block of time on teaching days.
• The day begins with an 8:30am High School Chorus rehearsal.

Performances

• Accompany two major concerts per year
• Accompany select school assemblies
• Accompany one 4th Grade evening event annually

Musical Responsibilities

• Play written piano accompaniments
• Play vocal parts (including reducing or isolating lines) to support student learning during rehearsals
• Support rehearsals that include a cappella repertoire by:
• Listening critically and offering musical awareness
• Supporting the rehearsal process, which could include possibly singing along with a single vocal part during rehearsal.

Classroom & Collaborative Role

• The accompanist is a consistent presence in the classroom and supports the learning environment. This includes:
• Serving as a steady, collaborative presence in the classroom—supporting student focus and smooth transitions when needed, offering support that aligns with and reinforces the chorus teacher’s instructional goals.
• In rare circumstances, the accompanist may be asked to step in to support a class if the lead teacher is unexpectedly unavailable, with additional adult support present. This is not an expectation, but a welcomed flexibility.

Qualifications

• Strong piano skills with experience accompanying vocal ensembles
• Ability to read scores fluently and adapt to rehearsal needs in real time
• Must already be authorized to work in the U.S.A.

Compensation

• Hourly at $35.71/hr

Maine Coast Waldorf School is committed to enriching its educational experience and culture through the diversity of our faculty and staff. We actively seek systematically-excluded communities in our applicant pool, including but not limited to BIPOC and/or LGBTQIAP2+ candidates.

Maine Coast Waldorf School strives to promote social justice. We are committed to affirming people of all religions, spiritual values, countries of origin, immigration statuses, races, genders, abilities, identities, and sexual orientations. MCWS is a multicultural, pluralistic community; we embrace diversity as a core strength of our community and seek to make our curriculum and policies as inclusive as possible. MCWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation and national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational programs, hiring, self-government, admissions, financial aid and all other school-related activities, and emphatically rejects discrimination in all its forms.

To Apply

Please send a letter of introduction, your resume, a brief biography, and three references to the attention of David Eichler at [e-mail]

Full member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Maine Coast Waldorf School

57 Desert Road, Freeport, Maine 04032

207-865-3900

www.mainecoastwaldorf.org