Accompanist II (10/12 Pay Plan)

About the role

The CSU Bakersfield Music Program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with emphasis in Music Education and General Music; a Music minor; and curricular support for the General Education and Liberal Studies Programs. The Music Program enhances the cultural environment of the region through wind band, orchestra, jazz, chamber music, choral, and opera performances, as well as recitals, workshops, festivals, and sponsoring guest artists.

Responsibilities

• Musical Accompaniment for Instructional, Rehearsal, & Performance Activities
• 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.
• 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.
• Choral, Operatic, & Ensemble Support
• 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.
• Coaching, Musical Preparation, & Specialized Support
• Support the instructional process through coaching, 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.
• Aid 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.

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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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!

Pay

• Pay Plan: 10/12 Pay Plan
• Pay Basis: Monthly

Schedule

• Workplace Type: On-site (work in-person at business location)
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $1,928 - $2,046
• Offer Amount: Commensurate with candidate's experience, education, skills, and training.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: $1,928 - $2,808