Accompanist Job Description
An accompanist supports a singer, choir or other performer. The accompanist most often plays the piano, although some use the guitar, organ or work as back-up singers.
Other People Are Reading
-
Training
-
Accompanists train on one or more instruments beginning at a young age. Some supplement private lessons and school band experience with a formal, post-secondary music education.
Skills
-
Accompanists play a wide variety of musical styles, study regularly, learn new material and travel. All performers, accompanists included, must handle rejection, perform well and show artistic creativity.
-
Work
-
Accompanists work odd hours, often part-time on evenings and weekends. Some work indoors with orchestras or at night clubs or outdoors at festivals and concerts.
Advancement
-
Advancement occurs mostly through networking and building a reputation as an excellent accompanist within the local music community. A college degree in music leads to teaching jobs for some accompanists.
Income
-
Intermittent employment causes financial stress, though contracts offer some job stability. Wages for musicians in general vary from $7.64 to $36.36 per hour as of 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit piano image by marianne pichot from Fotolia.com
