WCU School of Music
Piano Accompanying Policies, Fees, and Procedures
Spring 2010
Andrew Adams aadams@wcu.edu (828) 227-3953 ext. 3953
Bradley Martin martinb@wcu.edu (828) 227-3726 ext. 3726
Christina Reitz clreitz@email.wcu.edu (352) 262-4995 ext. 3119
Ann Leigh annwleigh@yahoo.com 828-369-9556 (home) 304-939-0198 (cell)
General Policies Concerning WCU Faculty Accompanists:
Student accompanying is not a part of faculty loads at WCU. Please appreciate that this is work above and beyond already full teaching and administrative responsibilities.
To help us accommodate your needs into our busy schedules, accompanying requests MUST be made at least one month in advance for full recitals and JQs and two weeks for studio recitals or single pieces for the Student Recital Hour.
If your pianist does not have all of your music at least two full weeks in advance, he or she may choose either not to play that individual piece or not to play for the entire performance.
Faculty members’ classroom teaching commitments will not be rescheduled to accommodate accompanying needs.
Always consult a pianist before scheduling a recital, performance, or other date.
If you choose a date without first consulting a pianist, one may not be available to play for you.
Accompanying Fees:
The fees listed below are only guidelines: On and off-campus accompanists may raise or lower fees at their own discretion.
Basic Fee:
$40.00 per hour ($20.00 per half hour) for rehearsals and/or lessons.
This fee includes compensation for the preparation of accompaniments outside of the rehearsal time.
Additional Fees:
$10.00 to $20.00 for accompanying on the Student Recital Hour.
$15.00 for juries.
$30.00 to $60.00 junior qualifying recital (depending on the difficulty of the music).
$40.00 to $75.00 junior, senior, or graduate recital (depending on the difficulty of the music).
$40.00 per hour for recording (any division of an hour or additional hours require further $40.00 payment).
Instrumental Studio Recitals:
$20.00 basic fee per student includes the group studio rehearsal and the recital itself.
Additional rehearsals beyond these two times are subject to the rehearsal fees listed above.
Voice Studio Recitals and Diction Class Recitals:
$10 per singer for voice studio recitals that do not require extra rehearsal.
$15.00 per singer for diction class recitals: includes one in-class rehearsal and the recital.
Off-campus Events:
Fees for off-campus events such as concerts or competitions will be charged at the discretion of the accompanist for time, travel, etc.
If the event requires overnight stay(s), a private hotel room for the accompanist should be provided.
Payment:
Payment is due at the time of the service or on the day of the final performance.
If the payment is more than one week late, a $10 per week late fee will be charged until payment is made in full.
Returned Checks:
If your check for accompanying fees is returned by the bank, you will owe the original amount of the check plus all bank fees.
If full reimbursement is not made within one month of the incident, you will be required to find an off-campus accompanist for any future performances at WCU.
Nonpayment:
Accompanists may choose not to play for an event (such as a jury or recital) or not to play for the individual student in the future if full payment is not made.
Lateness and Cancellations of Rehearsals and/or Lessons:
If you are late for a rehearsal or lesson, your accompanist is not responsible for making up the time.
If your accompanist is late for a rehearsal or lesson, the time will be made up as soon as possible.
Should you need to cancel a rehearsal or lesson, do so with 24-hour notice when possible. You will be charged the full amount for the time if you do not give your accompanist prior notification.
Working with an Accompanist
Before You Contact an Accompanist:
1. Know the exact date, time, and location of your event. Remember: You must contact the accompanist at least one month in advance for full recitals and JQs and two weeks in advance for studio recitals or single pieces for the Student Recital Hour.
2. Know exactly what repertoire you need to be accompanied. For example, if it’s only the second movement of a sonata, make that fact clear to the pianist.
3. Discuss the accompanist’s fees in advance and make certain that you are prepared and able to pay. Failing to pay your accompanist is unprofessional and reflects badly on you and the WCU School of Music.
4. For off-campus accompanists, arrange rehearsal space in advance. You may want to schedule a classroom or the recital hall. Don’t waste time searching the building for a room just before a rehearsal.
5. Stay in contact by phone or e-mail and always return calls or e-mails promptly. If rehearsal or lesson time changes, contact your accompanist; and if your literature or performance date change, contact your accompanistimmediately!
Rehearsing with Your Accompanist:
1. Be on time; if you are late do not expect an accompanist to go overtime for you.
2. Be prepared to rehearse. Don’t take time practicing your part in front of your accompanist.
3. Know what you want to rehearse. Don’t waste rehearsal time searching through your music for something to rehearse. Also, manage your time well. If you have an hour to rehearse six pieces, know what pieces or sections will take the most time.
4. Study the piano part in advance for musical cues; asking questions about the piano part in the rehearsal wastes time. Write in cues and other features of the accompaniment that will help you.
5. Specific metronome markings are helpful. No accompanist will expect you to play like the metronome, but markings that guide the pianist toward your tempo are always appreciated.
6. Be polite: “please” and “thank you” are always welcome. A pianist is a human being, not a SmartMusicmachine. Remember, you are collaborating with your accompanist; build a musical partnership with him or her.
7. If you provide photocopied music, make sure that you have not cut off any of the piano part, especially at the bottom of the page. Always ask the accompanist how they prefer to have photocopies: single- or double-sided, in or out of a binder, etc.
