Working with a Pianist
These guidelines are provided in order to acknowledge and respect the talent and experience of the fine pianists with whom you will work during your time in studio. Please follow these guidelines and any other instructions as provided by the pianist with whom you engage.
If you require a collaborative pianist for studio rehearsals, lessons, masterclass/studio class performances, recordings, and juries/recitals, you must engage a collaborative pianist for a fee. The selection of a pianist should be made in consultation with your respective studio instructor.
Finding a Pianist
Approach a prospective pianist early in the semester to discuss the availability of the pianist to engage in all possible rehearsals, lessons, masterclass/studio class performances, recordings, and juries/recitals. You should provide a list of known performance dates to the pianist at the time of engagement, and not later than one month in advance of a given performance.
Inquire about the pianist’s fee and follow the instructions for payment as determined by the pianist. Failure to do so may result in the pianist’s refusal to work with you, or another penalty as determined by the pianist.
You should also inquire as to the pianist’s policy for cancelled or missed rehearsals or lessons, as payment for the pianist’s time may still be expected.
Please click here for a list of recommended freelance collaborative pianists.
Rehearsing
Provide a new, unmarked, complete, double-sided, hole-punched copy of all musical scores as soon as possible, and not later than one month in advance of a performance. Failure to comply may result in a penalty to you, as determined by the pianist. Please see the Photocopying Guidelines for more details.
Plan to rehearse with the pianist outside the lesson time at regular intervals during the semester. Regularly rehearsing with a pianist even before music has been perfected will provide immediate and lasting benefits to rhythm, intonation, phrasing and musical decision making as well as increasing confidence in public performances. You should also plan to have your pianist attend lessons as determined by the studio instructor.
Should a last-minute performance opportunity or need for a recording arise, you may be able to negotiate with your pianist for their availability. A difference in fee associated with such an occurrence may be applicable. If the pianist does not already have copies of your music, it is your responsibility to provide a new, unmarked, complete, double-sided, hole-punched copy to the pianist as soon as possible in advance of the performance or recording.
Junior and Graduation Recitals
With regards to recital preparation for Studio VI and Studio VIII, you should plan to book dress rehearsals as soon as they are permitted as determined by the Theatre Box Office Manager. Discuss possible dress rehearsal dates/times with the pianist in advance of booking recital hall time. Arrive to dress rehearsals in advance of your booking and be warmed up and ready to work with the pianist. Failure to respect the time and efforts of your pianist may result in the pianist’s refusal to work with you in the future.
In performance, you should acknowledge the collaboration of the pianist in an appropriate manner as determined by the studio instructor and the pianist (i.e. introducing the pianist before the performance, indicating to the pianist after the performance, providing the pianist’s name for a program or recording, etc.). Failure to do so is a sign of disrespect and may result in the pianist’s refusal to work with you in the future.
Students studying in the following areas are encouraged to include unaccompanied and chamber works in their repertoire each semester:
- Brass
- Percussion
- Strings
- Voice
- Woodwind
Student Pianists
There is a limited pool of student pianists who may be interested in collaborative work. Please consult Dr. Deanna Oye for a list of potential student pianists.