Accompanying Policy
Peabody provides accompanists for lessons, repertoire classes, and juries. Arrangements with designated accompanists can be made directly between students or with the assistance of the major teacher or accompanying coordinator. The Conservatory does not pay for rehearsal time except for “Singing In” classes and vocal repertoire classes nor does it provide accompanists for recitals and competitions. In situations where a student is required to pay an accompanist, reasonable fees should be negotiated between the two parties and may vary according to the experience of the accompanist and the circumstances of the performance. It should be anticipated that more difficult repertoire may require additional rehearsal time. Students needing accompanists are advised to look for a pianist well in advance since the demand for accompanists is great, particularly during the spring semester.
The accompanying coordinator serves as a liaison between students needing partners and assistantship holders or student accompanists. The accompanying coordinator’s office hours are posted at the office of the dean of the Conservatory, second floor, Leakin Hall. To make a request, contact Hsiao-Ying Lin at 443-310-1945 and leave a message, or email at hlin32@jhmi.edu.
Accompanying graduate assistants are chosen on the basis of their ability as collaborative pianists, knowledge of the repertoire, and sight-reading facility. The full assistantship requires 9 hours of accompanying contact time per week plus 3 hours of preparation for a total of 12 hours per week. Fourteen weeks of work are required each semester, including the jury period. Graduate assistants may choose their preferred area of accompanying to some degree and are required to submit weekly schedules to the accompanying coordinator. They are also required to be available, without additional compensation, to service the needs of the Admissions Office during the Conservatory's audition periods. Accompanying graduate assistants may charge a reasonable fee directly to the student for non-studio accompanying hours, such as rehearsals, recitals, and competitions.
Student accompanists are full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are eligible to accompany based upon their federal Work-Study or ISEP allotments and the Conservatory's accompanying budget. They are compensated on an hourly basis. An audition is held to help determine who among these students are the best sight-readers, and a list of these students is sent to the performance faculty at the beginning of the fall semester. Copies are also posted on the bulletin board outside the Conservatory dean’s office.
Responsibilities of Instrumentalists/ Vocalists working with Accompanists
• Engage an accompanist with sufficient notice to ensure time to learn or review the music.
• Engage an accompanist with sufficient notice to ensure time to negotiate fees beforehand, when necessary.
• Adequately prepare for sessions with the accompanist so that the time is used effectively (no sight-reading).
• Notify accompanist at the earliest possible moment if repertoire or schedule changes must be made.
• Contact the accompanying coordinator when problems occur in locating an accompanist or when a conflict occurs.
Responsibilities of the Accompanists
• Honor commitments in a professional manner.
• Establish and negotiate reasonable fees, when necessary.
• Prepare for scheduled rehearsals.
• Make a prompt decision when the difficulty of the music is in question.
Important For Both Parties: Once a commitment is made, other opportunities or events should not supersede it.
