Schools/Churches looking for accompanists « MusicianWages.com Forums

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Latest reply from seematv

(11 posts) (5 people)

Schools/Churches looking for accompanists

Posted 1 year ago by adecipulo

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adecipulo said 1 year ago

Hi, I'm new to the site, and I'm finding it very helpful just reading everyone's comments and feedback.

A question for you Dave or anyone who might be able to help. Do you know where/or how to find schools or churches that are looking to hire accompanists? Is there a listing like Craigslist or is the only way going to Google and finding a list of schools/churches and emailing the music director?

I currently work in the city as an accompanist, but finding the work I'm doing, not quite stable. (i.e. I accompany for a few vocal coaches who have a small studio and sub for a few vocal classes at BDC and HB studios). Other than that, income is not always guaranteed. Can you somehow point me in the right direction?!
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David J. Hahn said 1 year ago

Do you mean New York City?

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Ron said 1 year ago

If you are looking for church work, it would pay for you to learn organ. Idk if you do. You can find a job no problem if you can.

The American Guild of Organists has all sorts of resources including salary guidelines and positions available. You do have to be a member to access certain parts of the site. Their website is http://www.agohq.org/home.html .
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adecipulo said 1 year ago

Thanks Ron! I'll look into it and yes David, I meant in NYC, sorry. Do you happen to know where to look if schools (elementary, middle/high school or even colleges) are looking for accompanists?
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David J. Hahn said 1 year ago

I accompany at NYU. I heard that they hired accompanists, so I found out who did the hiring and sent her an email with my resume. They gave me a call a few weeks later.

Craiglist often has stuff, although it usually doesn't pay that well. SimplyHired.com, surprisingly, often has pianist jobs listed.

Other than that it's been a lot of word of mouth. For me it was a slow process of playing one gig...then another...then another...then getting called again by the first gig...then getting recommended to someone else...then finally landing a good gig...etc, etc.

Accompanist jobs are out there in NYC. You can work full-time doing it.

Do you want to send me your info? How's your sight-reading?

http://www.davidjhahn.org/contact/

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adecipulo said 1 year ago

Thanks David!

Sent you a message on your contact link!
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adecipulo said 1 year ago

Hey David!

Were you able to receive my message I sent you on your contact page?? And can you provide any more insight on securing an accompanist position?
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David J. Hahn said 1 year ago

Hey adecipulo -

I did get your message, thanks for writing. Sorry for the delay, it's been a busy summer so far.

I think you should target schools and see if their performing arts programs need accompanists. Try colleges first, they seem to always be looking for pianists. Find out who does the hiring and send them a nice email.

There are some other articles here on the site that talk about getting more work as a pianist. Try this one:

How To Get a Job as a Pianist

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Andree-Ann said 1 year ago

I know I'm still young and innocent when it comes to gigging regularly, but I usually make an Excel spreadsheet with contact info of places I'd like to send my resume, regardless of if they are hiring or not. I had a couple of answers from choirs, churches and schools saying that they have a regular accompanist but would keep my contact info if they need a sub at any point during the season. It might not be much, but I guess the way of securing a full-time accompanist position for an organisation would be to whore yourself out in subbing gigs and then eventually you would land the position...I might be wrong though. I just find that googling 'schools Toronto' for example, was a great way for me to find contact info of most of the schools located in Toronto, which is where I live for now. Then I just organize everything into an spreadsheet on which I indicate the date I sent them an email (makes it easier if I want to follow up with a sent email) and if they answered and what they answered.

Just my two cents!

Andree-Ann
http://www.myspace.com/andreeanndeschenes
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David J. Hahn said 1 year ago

Andree-Ann is totally right from my perspective. I do all the same things.

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seematv said 1 year ago

Then I just organize everything into an spreadsheet on which I indicate the date I sent them an email (makes it easier if I want to follow up with a sent email) and if they answered and what they answered.