Accompanist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Special training or coursework that would facilitate composing and improvising music and/or coaching and accompanying.
• Experience which has led to a thorough familiarity with accompanying choral groups and soloists (instrumental and vocal) or interpretive dances.
• Skill in playing one or more musical instruments as accompanist.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of harmony, rhythmic patterns, phrasing, and stylistic conventions across vocal, choral, and instrumental repertoire.
• Knowledge of performance practices appropriate to classical, choral, operatic, and academic music settings.
• Ability to select appropriate dance music, compose or improvise music, coach performing artists, and transcribe music from recordings.
• Ability to coach instrumentalists and vocalists on rhythm, pitch, phrasing, diction, and stylistic interpretation.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Music, Piano Performance, Accompaniment, or a closely related field.
• Experience accompanying instrumental and vocal students in a college, university, or conservatory music program.
• Experience coaching soloists or small ensembles in preparation for juries, recitals, or public performances.
• Experience working across multiple musical styles appropriate to vocal, instrumental, choral, and operatic repertoire.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional-level piano accompaniment for a broad range of instructional and performance-based activities that are integral to the Music Department’s academic program.
• Accompany instrumental and vocal students during scheduled rehearsals, studio classes, and instructional sessions in support of applied music coursework and degree requirements.
• Provide piano accompaniment for student degree recitals, including required recital permission hearings, dress rehearsals, and public performances.
• Accompany instrumental and vocal juries (performance examinations), ensuring accurate interpretation of repertoire and adherence to faculty-directed tempos, styles, and performance standards.
• Perform accompaniment for recital hour performances, auditions, and guest recitals, festivals, and masterclasses hosted by the department.
• Play for conducting classes, providing real-time musical responsiveness to student conductors for instructional demonstration and evaluation purposes.
• Serve as a primary accompanist for choral ensembles and staged productions, contributing to both the instructional and public performance missions of the department.
• Accompany rehearsals and public performances for University Singers and Chamber Singers, working in coordination with the Director of Choral Studies to support ensemble preparation, musical accuracy, and performance readiness.
• Participate in rehearsals, performances, and tours with choral ensembles as scheduled, adapting accompaniment to varied performance settings and ensemble needs.
• Provide accompaniment for opera and musical theatre productions, as needed, supporting staging rehearsals, vocal preparation, and live performances.
• Demonstrate rhythmic, harmonic, and stylistic elements during rehearsals to reinforce musical concepts and support ensemble cohesion.
• Coach, musical interpretation, and preparation activities consistent with Accompanist II-level responsibilities.
• Coach soloists and small instrumental or vocal groups on rhythm, pitch accuracy, phrasing, diction, and stylistic interpretation in preparation for juries, recitals, and public performances.
• Assist students in developing performance-ready repertoire by reinforcing harmonic structure, tempo consistency, and ensemble balance during coaching sessions.
• Transcribe music from recordings when printed piano scores are unavailable, ensuring accurate and usable accompaniment materials for instructional or performance use.
• Maintain familiarity with a wide range of repertoire styles to support diverse instructional needs across voice, instrumental, choral, and operatic settings.

Benefits

• CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 15 paid holidays per year and more!