We are in "Music City" and are blessed with many options for Accompanists. They are professionals and we believe in paying them accordingly. We sit down and talk about our needs and are all on the same page as to what the rehearsals look like and the negotiated salary. We tend to be generous because we have the funds. However, I sometimes have to "cut a deal" and promise to be more generous at another time.
Depending on the score, is the challenge. There are shows a good church accompanist could do. (We have plenty of those resources here in the south) I have only had three students in my 35 years who could play the musical score on piano. Our entire orchestra last year was made up of student musicians. Instead of paying professionals to play our shows, we hired them to do a few privates with our student musicians and the results proved to be a good investment, as they earned Best Orchestra in our high school musical awards program. We have decided to continue down that path and are having an all student orchestra this year. This may not be your option. I do feel there are accompanist out there who simply love doing Broadway Musicals and may just enjoy helping you out.
Break-a-leg and all the best from Nashville, TN
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Donnie Bryan
Department Chair for Visual and Performing Arts
Nashville TN
Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2015 16:05
From: Lindsay Shields
Subject: Musical Accompanist
I am in need of a pianist for our fall musical, as our school does not have a band that can play the required music. Do any of you pay for an outside musical accompanist? How much do you pay? Flat rate for the run or per hour?
At what point do you call the accompanist in to your rehearsals? I have been running rehearsals with my very basic piano skills because I know I can't afford an accompanist at every rehearsal.
Thank you in advance for your advice!
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Lindsay Shields
Drama Specialist
Flushing High School
Queens NY
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