Piano Accompanist (Flexible-Hour/Year-Round)

About the role

Under general supervision, provides piano accompaniment for music classes, rehearsals, recitals, and concerts; assists instructors in class and coaches students outside of the classroom by appointment; coordinates sheet music; may provide instrumental accompaniment on an as-needed basis.

Responsibilities

• Provides piano accompaniment for music classes including choirs, voice classes, voice lessons, and opera classes.
• Provides piano accompaniment for various performances, including rehearsals.
• Illustrates different musical forms in modern dance and theory courses.
• Adapts themes to the piano from recorded music.
• Collaborates with faculty and students to help improve technique, develop musicianship, deepen artistry, and work toward their longer-term goals.
• Records songs for instructors and students and posts them on the school system.
• Assists with music festivals.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency.
• May assist in music selection.
• Transposes music to another key for instructor or student.
• Provides instrumental accompaniment as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge

• Fundamentals of piano playing, music theory, harmony, rhythm, composition, transition, and tempo.
• Musical terms, signs, and abbreviations.
• The relationship between the vocal instrument and the piano.
• A wide variety of musical styles.
• The connection between poetry/libretto and music.

Skills and Abilities

• Work with students effectively, diagnosing needs and finding methods to help them improve their skills and lesson understanding.
• Follow a soloist or conductor in performing musical score.
• Improvise, adapt music, and memorize musical selections.
• Sight-read music and play it on the piano.
• Determine performance quality.
• Support instructors.
• Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Operate a computer and use standard business software.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Education and Experience

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• At least three years of experience accompanying vocal or choral groups, dancers, vocal soloists, or similar musical work on piano in an organized educational, professional, or similar setting; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Formal study of the piano is preferred.
• A bachelor's or master's degree in piano is desirable.

Licenses and Certificates

Certain assignments may require a California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program.

Physical and Mental Demands

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit; talk or hear; use hands repetitively to play the piano or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to walk and stand; and lift up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

• Regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information, and documents; analyze and solve problems.
• Observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work.
• Work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; work under intensive deadlines.
• Interact with District faculty, staff, the public, and others encountered in the course of work.

Working Environment

The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class.