Accompanist & Cantor

About The Bishop’s School

Founded in 1909 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, The Bishop’s School is an independent, coeducational college-preparatory day school for 800 students in grades six through twelve located on a historic campus in the heart of La Jolla, just 10 miles north of downtown San Diego. With a student-teacher ratio of approximately 9 to 1, Bishop’s is known for academic, artistic, and athletic excellence while celebrating character development, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Last year’s applicant pool drew from 72 zip codes and 168 middle and high schools throughout San Diego County and beyond. Fifty-one percent of the student population self-identify as students of color. Additionally, over $4 million in need-based grants is awarded annually.

Compensation: $55/hour

Position Summary Description

This position provides piano accompaniment for choral, classroom, and musical theater rehearsals and performances at the school.  The accompanist will assist choral music teachers in the leading of sectional rehearsals and concert preparation, coach individuals and small ensembles, and do other related work as required. Additionally, as cantor, this individual will assist in selecting, teaching, and performing music for our chapel programs.

An Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Bachelor’s degree in piano performance or comparable skills and
• A minimum of two years of school-related experience
• Ideally available for occasional evening and weekend meetings and events.
• Ability to support the School’s mission and values as a school founded in the Episcopal tradition irrespective of own religious orientation;
• Flexibility with the special needs associated with an academic calendar and schedule, which may necessitate adjustment of the standard work schedule for occasional after-hours and weekend events.

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to play at sight, with accuracy and feeling;
• Ability to provide piano accompaniment to popular, semi-classical, musical theater, classical music, and art songs;
• Ability to lead congregational singing and coach vocalists for chapel musical offerings.
• An appreciation for sacred music, and an understanding of the difference between a performance and an offering;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Effective oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to actively collaborate with all school constituencies;
• Ability to manage numerous detailed tasks, anticipate and meet deadlines, use time effectively, and problem-solve independently as well as in a team environment;
• Ability to support the School’s mission and values as a school founded in the Episcopal tradition irrespective of own religious orientation;
• Flexibility with the special needs associated with an academic calendar and schedule which may necessitate, in addition to regular school hours, availability for work during evenings and weekends.

Essential Functions and Specific Duties:

Essential Functions:

• Accompany music classes, choral rehearsals, and musical theater rehearsals on the piano.
• Accompany music ensembles in concert performances.
• Lead sectional rehearsals as instructed by choral music teachers by playing parts, identifying student mistakes and problem areas, correcting mistakes and providing the right notes and rhythms.
• Coach solos and ensembles by arranging or transposing music, teaching notes and rhythm, recognizing and resolving intonation problems, teaching good vocal techniques, providing suggestions regarding interpretation of music, and encouraging students;
• Assist students in preparing audition materials;
• Transpose accompaniment as needed for rehearsals and performances;
• Attend once a cycle chapel music meetings with the chaplain and organist;
• Introduce, teach, and lead new music in chapel;
• Vocal solos in chapel as desired (but not required);
• Recruit, rehearse with, and accompany student musicians and vocalists in chapel;
• Support other special chapel services as needed (e.g., all school chapels, alumni reunion chapel, etc).

General

• Uphold the School’s Core Values and Episcopal identity.
• Embrace the special needs and requirements associated with an academic calendar and schedule which may necessitate fluctuations in workdays and hours.
• Strong advocate of the School’s mission and school values of integrity, compassion, inclusion, intellect, excellence and justice.
• Demonstrate professionalism, tact and an unwavering positive attitude.
• Stay up to date on industry standards, trends, and developments.
• Adhere to assigned work schedule and required break and meal periods.
• Comply with School’s reporting policies and procedures.
• Perform, with a team approach, other duties as assigned.

Please do not email or call the school directly.

EEO
The Bishop’s School is an equal opportunity employer. We are a diverse community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the San Diego area and the United States at large. We aim to align our hiring process with our mission and institutional goals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. The Bishop’s School takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance all qualified candidates.

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