Accompanist 10/12

Music
Job #543049
First Review: Thursday, October 31, 2024

Open Until Filled

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

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Cal Poly Humboldt is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that strives to foster an inclusive and equitable community to support our students of diverse backgrounds. We are committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality committed to working in a multicultural and multiracial community that reflects the diversity of the state.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

 

(Job #543049) Accompanist II, Salary Range: $3,220 - $5,642. This is a full-time, benefited, non-exempt 10/12 pay plan (work 10 months of the year with pay and benefits over 12 months  permanent position with a one-year probationary period in the Music Department. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits.

 

Position Summary:

Under the work lead direction of the Dance, Music, and Theatre Chair, and faculty, provides accompaniment on piano, harpsichord, or organ for choral and operatic rehearsals and performances, for ensembles, students, faculty, and guest artists, classes, lessons, solo singers,  instrumentalists, and chamber ensembles.  Provides coaching for solo singers, instrumentalists, ensembles., and student composers. 

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

Accompany performing groups such as University Singers, Mad River Transit Singers, Humboldt Chorale, Opera Workshop and other musical productions in rehearsals and performances. 

• Accompany choral groups during rehearsals, at concerts, special events, competitions, and music recitals, tours, and travels between school sites.
• Assist the choir teacher by providing warm-up exercises and working with small groups to learn music parts.
• Sight read accompaniments in rehearsals, provide basic improvisation when accompanying in jazz styles, and transpose music to other keys to fit the vocal range of individual students.
• Rehearse with large choral groups, vocal sections, and soloists; play full and sectional accompaniment; provide high-level musical instruction assistance in diction, rhythms and memorization of parts.
• Travel and participate in out-of-town music performance events, and competitions; assist teachers with student supervision while traveling to performances and competitions.
• Analyze assigned music prior to rehearsal and performances (e.g., correct tempos, challenging transitions, dynamics) to ensure efficient use of rehearsal time. 
• Prepare for piano accompaniment outside of rehearsal time; come prepared to rehearsals and classes to accompany musical selections.
• Make recordings of accompaniments and/or parts for student practice

 

Accompany voice classes, studio lessons, and repertoire classes for singers

• Sight read accompaniments in rehearsals, improvise and transpose music to other keys to fit the vocal range of individual students.
• Analyze assigned music prior to rehearsal and performances (e.g., correct tempos, challenging transitions, dynamics) to ensure efficient use of rehearsal time. 
• Prepare for piano accompaniment outside of rehearsal time; come prepared to rehearsals and classes to accompany musical selections.
• Make recordings of accompaniments and/or parts for student practice

 

Rehearse with and coach student solo singers in preparations for performance.

• Provide high-level musical instruction in rhythms, pitches, memorization of parts, (and diction as appropriate.)  
• Sight read accompaniments in rehearsals, improvise and transpose music to other keys to fit the vocal range of individual students.
• Analyze assigned music prior to rehearsal and performances (e.g., correct tempos, challenging transitions, dynamics) to ensure efficient use of rehearsal time. 
• Prepare for piano accompaniment outside of rehearsal time; come prepared to rehearsals and classes to accompany musical selections.
• Make recordings of accompaniments and/or parts for student practice

 

Rehearse with, coach, and play during studio lessons for student instrumentalists in preparations for performance.

• Provide high-level musical instruction assistance in rhythms and interpretation of music.
• Sight read accompaniments in rehearsals, improvise and transpose music to other keys to fit the vocal range of individual students.
• Analyze assigned music prior to rehearsal and performances (e.g., correct tempos, challenging transitions, dynamics) to ensure efficient use of rehearsal time. 
• Prepare for piano accompaniment outside of rehearsal time; come prepared to rehearsals and classes to accompany musical selections.
• Make recordings of accompaniments for student practice

 

Accompany student  singers and instrumentalists in public performances.

• Exhibit professional and stage etiquette to serve as a model of professionalism at musical productions.

 

Perform student compositions in classes and concerts

• Sight read compositions during classes.
• Practice for performances of student compositions.
• Exhibit professional and stage etiquette to serve as a model of professionalism at musical productions.

 

Rehearse and perform as a collaborative pianist with faculty and guest artists in solo and chamber music performances. 

• Analyze assigned music prior to rehearsal and performances (e.g., correct tempos, challenging transitions, dynamics) to ensure efficient use of rehearsal time. 
• Come prepared to rehearsals..
• Participate in out-of-town music performance events.

 

Organize rehearsal and performance schedules and sheet music.

• Prepare and maintain binders of current music accompaniment for each ensemble and performer.
• Respond to inquiries and requests for information from students, faculty and staff regarding concerts, recitals, or other events.

 

Other duties as assigned

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

As listed in Class Standards:

• Knowledge of fundamentals of harmony; and skill in playing one or more musical instruments as accompanist.
• Ability to improvise music, ability to coach performing artists;
• Ability to transcribe music from recordings.

 

As related to Major Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of fundamentals of harmony; 
• Advanced skill in playing piano as an accompanist. 
• Skill playing harpsichord and organ as an accompanist
• Thorough familiarity with accompanying choral groups and soloists (instrument and vocal). 
• Experience coaching performing artists. 
• Ability to sight read keyboard music well, including open choral scores.
• Ability to perform accompaniments in public at the professional level on piano.
• Knowledge of vocal, choral and instrumental repertoire.
• Ability to teach and work well with others.
• Ability to make audio recordings..
• Ability to organize schedules, including rooms which are used for coaching purposes, keeping track of hours, keeping a library of music available, using a computer to print out rehearsal schedules, etc.
• Good communication and people skills

  

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience:

Experience which has led to a thorough familiarity with accompanying choral groups and soloists (instrumental and vocal). Experience in coaching performing artists is required.

And

Education:

Special training or coursework that would facilitate composing and improvising music and/or coaching and accompanying.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of languages (Italian, French, German)
• Ability to coach lyric diction
• Ability to perform accompaniments in public on harpsichord and organ.
• Master’s of Music in Performance and/or Accompanying preferred.

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials before first review is 11:55 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2024.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

 

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality reflecting the ethnic and cultural diversity of the state. Additional information about Cal Poly Humboldt can be found at www.humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Title IX/Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status. 

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

Class Code: 2866
Publication Date: 10/17/2024