Monday, June 15, 2009

Paid to play - Summer Gigs and Opportunities

**Updated List from 2015 click here

When I was in undergrad and grad school, I used my summers to practice and knock out extra class credits in summer school. Which was useful - but I wish I had considered other options:

Gain professional experience and/or study with professionals:
 



Interlochen Summer Arts Camp hires 23 collaborative pianists each summer to fill the position of Choral, Dance, Musical Theatre, Vocal and Instrumental accompanying. You do NOT have to be a counselor, you just play. There are tons of masterclasses, opportunities to work on German language and diction, concerts, chances to network with heads of Collaborative Piano college programs, etc. It looks great on a resume (which they can help you edit in their career seminars). Pay is not great, but room and board is included. All in all, a good gig. Just bring a fan if it looks like the summer will be warm, you'll need it. I think you apply around Jan or so, so keep an eye out. 
Eastern Music Festival hires collaborative pianists for instrumental accompaniment. I've never done this gig, but I've considered it. You have to be 21 to apply. 
The College Light Opera Company hires two rehearsal accompanists every summer.
Opera in the Ozarks hires one or two rehearsal accompanists every summer.

Ash-lawn Opera Festival hires one or two accompanists every summer.
Berkshire Choral Festival has a paid Apprentice program for accompanists
Franz-Schubert-Institute - summer course for singers and pianists

Intermezzo has a 'Festival Orchestra Program', using accompanists for both Musical Theatre playing and Operatic playing. No pay, but great experience.

Opera North - hires pianists

San Francisco Merola Program - hire 5 apprentice coach/accompanists each summer

Songfest - for singers and pianists


Summer Chamber Music Festival - a four-week chamber music program for string players and pianists aged 18-26

Tanglewood - Vocal and Instrumental Fellowships

West Virginia Public Theatre occasionally hires summer rehearsal accompanists (musical theatre).
Go Outside the US:
Collaborative Piano Internship at the Banff Centre - study for free (Tuition, room and board are covered)

Vancouver International Song Institute

Asolo Song Festival & Institute for Song Interpretation (Italy)

A mind-blowing list of festivals:Summer Music Festival Websites

I'll keep updating this post as I find opportunities . . .

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