MT-Land and You, part I

For collaborative pianists, ignorance is never bliss, especially when it comes to repertoire. On the other hand, the reams upon reams of existing repertoire ensure a pianist can live lifetimes without learning it all. 'Standard repertoire' is a body of literature much easier to scale, and in academia, beginning pianists generally do so within a few years. Musical theatre rep differs, however, in that classical voice teachers generally stick to, well, the classics. This usually gives the average CP student a minimal amount of exposure to a very marketable field. For further exploration, try this:

The easiest way to learn a lot of MT standard repertoire is through the collections called Singer's Musical Anthologies (there are several). Checking out audition websites like this and that can show you what singers are singing a lot. Also check out the following composers - I've listed their shows and popular songs in parenthesis:

• Jason Robert Brown - Songs for a New World (Stars and the Moon, I'm Not Afraid, King of the World), Parade (You Don't Know This Man, Old Red Hills, It's Hard to Speak My Heart) and The Last Five Years (I'm Still Hurting, Shiksa Goddess . . . really, the whole thing). Also check out Wearing Someone Else's Clothes just because its good
  
• William Finn - A New Brain (And They're Off, Sailing), Elegies (Infinite Joy, I am There), 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee (I'm Not that Smart, My Unfortunate Erection, I Speak Six Languages)
• Stephen Flaherty - Seussical (Notice Me, Horton, Alone in the Universe), Ragtime (Your Daddy's Son, Wheels of a Dream) - also be aware of Once On this Island, Lucky Stiff, A Man of No Importance and Dessa Rose
  
• Adam Guettel - The Light in the Piazza (The Beauty Is, Light in the Piazza, Love to Me), Myths and Hymns (Hero and Leander, Migratory V, Awaiting You), Floyd Collins (How Glory Goes) and the song Baby Moon
• Andrew Lippa - Wild Party (Look at Me Now, Life of the Party), YAGMCB (My New Philosophy) - also check out jon & jen
  
• David Shire - Closer Than Ever (Miss Byrd, What Am I Doin'?, If I Sing), Starting Here, Starting Now (Crossword Puzzle, Autumn, I Don't Remember Christmas), Big (I Wanna Go Home, I Want to Know, Dancing All the Time) - also check out Baby
  
• Steven Schwartz - Wicked (Most of it), Children of Eden (Spark of Creation, Lost in the Wilderness), Pippin (Corner of the Sky, Extraordinary), Baker's Wife (Meadowlark, Where is the Warmth)
• Jeanine Tesori - Thoroughly Modern Millie (Not For the Life of Me, What Do I Need With Love, Gimme, Gimme) the Girl in 14g, Violet (Let it Sing)
  
• David Yazbek - Full Monty (Man, Breeze off the River), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Here I Am)
• Maury Yeston - Nine (Guido's Song, Unusual Way), Titanic, Grand Hotel (Love Can't Happen)
  

Musical Episodes of Note

Musical episodes on TV amuse me. Quite a few have been made with varying degrees of success, and for some reason I was motivated to list my favorites.

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Once More, With Feeling episode was great, and is very popular among Whedon fans
  
• How I Met Your Mother's 100-episode musical Suits, featuring the talented Neil Harris
• Glee does Van Halen's Jump
  
• Daria even has a musical episode, which seems so odd for their main character
  
• I wasn't that impressed with Scrubs' version of a musical episode, and think J.D's daydream scene was more entertaining
  
• Six Feet Under used musical moments to lend insight into the characters. Well done ones include David's fantasy life, Claire's work daydream, Claire's head over heels moment
  
• That 70s Show tried - probably the Turtles cover (:55) was the best of that bunch
• Family Guy does a lot of musical bits, and You've Got A Lot to See stands out
• Monsters, Inc's scene is the most heartwarming. It's in the closing credits - skip to 3:13 to watch their musical, "Put That Thing Back Where It Came From, Or So Help Me!". The restaurant scene reminds me of some high school performances I've been to, actually.
  

I read that even House, among other unlikely shows, will have a musical episode - which no doubt would feature a love duet with Cuddy and a power ballad about Vicodin. Just what we needed.

Occasionally there are episodes featuring the performers just singing - these are my favorites:

• Big Bang Theory - when Sheldon has a Virgin Rum & Coke with rum and ends up singing at the keyboard and when he sings with Leonard's mother
  
• Big Bang Theory - Walowitz singing to Bernadette
  

Our Patron Saint

Our Lady of Perpetual Diet Coke

The patron saint of pianists, Our Lady of Perpetual Diet Coke, often intervenes in practice sessions and rehearsals. She bestows energy and vitality upon her devoted followers who make pilgrimages to her shrines.

Natalie Dee is awesome.

Musician Meets World

I find the ancient Chinese curse, "May you have an interesting life" the most accurate saying in relation to a collaborative pianist's lifestyle. Our ever-changing musical partners and venues can be many things - but they are rarely boring. When a gig meanders into the ridiculous arena, I am occasionally reminded of a Friend's episode*. Mainly I'm thinking of the scene where Rachel, struggling to work in her chosen field, is complaining to Monica who is also struggling to work in her chosen field. A quick summary of the interaction, taking place at a diner where Monica works:

Rachel comments: "Oh god, I hate my job, I hate it I hate it - oh, I want to quit - but then I think I should stick it out - then I think . . . why should such a person stay in such a demeaning job just because it is remotely related to the field they're interested in?"

This earns a sharp look from Monica, currently wearing huge false boobs and a blond wig (as required for her present job), who replies, "Gee, I don't know Rach. Order up! I got a Yentyl Soup, a James Beans and a Howdy, hold the Doody."

Their conversation earns a giggle from an eavesdropping customer who sympathized, "I've been there - I had to sort manikin heads at Manikins Plus" . . . (the scene continues).

Monica's acute awareness that talent, training and experience are currently utilized doing [insert inane gruntwork] is a genius moment, while the costume highlights her plight beautifully. At some point or another, most working pianists have been there (gruntwork = $$ = good). In situations like these, the best way to keep a good attitude is to find some way of amusing oneself. I like thinking of dumb TV sitcoms, for example.



*Incidentally, this was in the same episode which shows Chandler feeding jello shots to his dog statue. This has nothing to do with anything. I just find it endearing.

Freelancing and You

Many pianists balk at getting a church gig, usually for two reasons: sleep or skepticism. Preferring to sleep is always OK, but those claiming that religion 'isn't their thing' could stand to take a closer look at the gig. What many pianists don't realize is that a church job is just like any other piano job. For example, take playing for a church compared to playing for a voice lesson. Both situations have:

• Guidebooks (the Bible or the Bernac)
• Rituals that are odd to an uninitiated observer (whether reciting prayers as a group or beginning a lesson by hissing like a snake and making motorboat lip-buzz noises)
• Deities and heroes (Jesus, Pavarotti or Kristin Chenoweth)
• High dress codes (church has always been that way and so have voice teachers).
• Standard repertoire (Hymns or the 24 Italian Hits)
• Lectures on sins (lying and cheating or slouching and jaw tension)
• Ultimate destinations (heaven, hell, the Met or Broadway)

A religious affiliation is not a prerequisite to church employment - only courtesy and professionalism. For a gig with minimal time commitment and a steady paycheck, it seems surprising that so many pianists opt against it. When you consider the indignities CP's sometimes put up with - constant pencil-theft, the no-shows, the Hindemith sonatas - sitting through a service isn't that demanding. The church is also another location where you can practice and rehearse, as well as recruit and teach students. Even better, you have a ready-made, very appreciative audience for test-runs of new repertoire, solo or collaborative. All in all, an easy source of income with some nice perks.

Or you can stick with the devil you know.

A Brief Guide to Page-Turners

Amid the crunch of recital preparations, many pianists forget to secure a page-turner, leading to last-minute recruiting from friends, friends-of-friends or from random strangers in the recital hall. Unsurprisingly, when the only real qualification is 'warm body', using potluck volunteers often has mixed results. The most common kinds of turners, both good and bad, are listed below* with corresponding identifiers for easy reference.

Crowders sit unnecessarily close at all times (sometimes practically in your lap).

Helicopters hover with a hand on the music, regardless of incredibly slow tempos or flat-laying scores.

Human Obstacles attempt to turn from the bottom RH side of the music, blocking the view and inspiring thoughts of violence.

Music Civilians are mystified by the black and white dots scattered on the page and find what you do closely akin to magic. They are usually terrified of making a mistake and stare at you, unblinking and tense, for each nod. Oddly enough, they are one of your better options.

Space Cadets are either caught up within the music or contemplating what to have for lunch as you turn your own pages. They may also forget to show up to the concert at all.

Heart Attacks turn the pages too soon or too late (sometimes two at a time . . .) They incite panic and frantic slapping of pages.

Destroyers turn with enough force to rip music or fling scores to the ground.

Silent Critics are usually pianists of equal or higher chops. They're great at turning, but unfortunately also cause acute self-consciousness with every wrong note and bad fingering.

Participators are a category I have never experienced, but a colleague of mine once worked with someone who liked to hum along with the melodies during performances.

The Best Page-Turning Award goes to:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Page-Turner. The ninjas among page turners, they sit completely out of one's peripheral vision. They rise with smooth motions approximately 1-2 lines from the bottom (depending upon tempo), turn the page lightening-quick and retreat back to invisibility without a whisper of sound. Their non-presence allows you to focus on the performance instead of on enabling someone to allow you to perform music.

And let's not forget:
Terrifyingly Clueless with questions like, "Which side should I sit on?"

*Please feel free to add any suggestions from your own experiences.

Opera Apprentice Programs for Pianists, Updated

This is an updated list of apprentice programs that train pianists (and whatever else I can find that pays and gives performing experience). These are specifically not summer gigs, which I've listed here.

Des Moines Metro Opera - OPERA Iowa Touring Group goes from Jan-April

Florida Grand Opera - Sept-May

Houston Grand Opera - 1+ years

Indianapolis Opera - Jan-May

OPERA Iowa Musical Director & Apprentice Musical Coach - Jan-April

Kentucky Opera Artist Program - Aug-Nov

LA Opera - Full Season

Metropolitan Opera - Lindemann Young Artist program - 1+ years

Minnesota Opera - Full Season

Nashville Opera - Jan-March

Opera Colorado - Sept-May

Pensacola Opera - Jan-April

Utah Opera - Aug-May

Virginia Opera - Full Season

Washington National Opera - 2 year program

Other Random or Related Gigs:

Cleveland Baroque Orchestra Young Artist Apprenticeship Program - Full Season

Open Dream Ensemble - Aug-Nov/Dec

Opera For the Young - Oct-May

Clarification

Over the past few years, I have heard several people claim to attend concerts featuring 'Carmen Miranda'. I'm relatively certain they actually meant 'Carmina Burana', and would like to offer a brief example of the two for comparison.

Carmina Burana sounds like this.


This is Carmen Miranda.

Just sayin'.

*Additional Silliness:

Natalie Dee has several genius moments, including her recent impression of an American Carmen Miranda:

Two Collaborative Pianists Walk Into a Bar . . .

Among musicians, personality stereotyping is rampant. Whatever traits driving someone to choose say, the tuba, combined with quirks enabling excellence in the tuba, ultimately form a set of idiosyncrasies that are often, um, mocked. There aren't that many stereotypes about pianists, though, and I have yet to find anything for collaborative pianists/accompanists. After jotting down tendencies I've noticed, I realized they weren't really traits as much as weird learned behaviors, probably significant only to those familiar with the CP 'breed'. I've observed several pianists who tend to:

• Unconsciously cue entrances with a head gesture, sniff or deep breath
• Constantly rearrange sheet music to eliminate page turns
• Possess strong opinions on the 'use of plastic music protectors' debate
• (females) Often opt to yank one's hair back in an 'I-don't-have-time-for-this' ponytail
• Experience total glee upon discovering the IMSLP database
• Possess multiple music binders, toted in something the size of a suitcase with wheels
• Eat meals in bar form
• Wear engagement and wedding rings on a neck chain
• Maintain a strong affection for 44 oz caffeinated drinks
• Easily keep a straight face if a singer has forgotten their lyrics and begun scatting German
• Possess advanced photocopier skills
• Regularly agree to some piece or performance that is diabolically intricate or really inconvenient, then kick themself for saying yes
• Notice that 90% of male CPs specializing in vocal music are straight and married to a singer, or are gay

Sometimes I wonder about my own quirks, such as the tendency to:

• Keep a small, piano-friendly, crook-necked lamp (and extension cord) in my car
• Bring an empty 3-ring binder, 3-hole punch, scotch tape and highlighter to juries and auditions
• Keep a metronome in my purse at all times
• Suffer from recurring nightmares that I'm handed new music 20 minutes before a performance

Clearly, pianists just don't make good joke material. We'll probably never find out how many collaborative pianists it takes to screw in a light bulb. I did like this joke, however, which plays on the know-it-all nature of pianists:

A pianist and singer are rehearsing "Autumn Leaves" for a concert and the pianist says:

"OK. We will start in g minor and then on the third bar, modulate to B major and go into 5/4. When you get to the bridge, modulate back down to f# minor and alternate a 4/4 bar with a 7/4 bar. On the last A section go into double time and slowly modulate back to g minor."

The singer says: "Wow, I don't think I can remember all of that."

The pianist says: "Well, that's what you did last time."

Related article: Musician Racism

Collaborative Piano Opportunities for High School

Credo Summer Program - string rep and piano

Eastern Music Festival

Interlochen High School Piano Summer Program - vocal rep, chamber music, piano

Green Lake Chamber Music Camp

Hartwick College Summer Music Festival

Heifitz International Music Institute

Hotchkiss School Chamber Music Summer Program

Icicle Creek Chamber Music Institute

International Music Institute and Festival USA

Killington Music Festival

Kinhaven Chamber Music Workshop

Lamont Summer Pre-College Academy

Lebanon Valley College Summer Music Camp

Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival

Madeline Island Music Camp - strings and piano

Mansfield University Piano Chamber Music Camp

McDaniel Summer Orchestral Camp

Meadowmount Summer Program

Midwest Young Artists Summer Music Festival - Chamber Music Workshop for Strings & Piano and Young Musicians Chamber Music Camp

Mimir Chamber Music Festival

Music in the Mountains

NYU Steinhardt The Art of Solo and Collaborative Piano - college prep, chamber music

Perlman Music Program Summer Music School

Piano in the Pines at Stephen F. Austin State University

Portland Summer Chamber Ensembles and PSE Orchestral and Solo Performance Program for String Players and Pianists

Sierra Academy of Music Chamber Music Unbound

Tanglewood Young Artists Piano Program

University of Wisconsin, Whitewater Collaborative Piano Camp

Washington National Opera Opera Institute - vocal rep and piano

Collaborative piano for high school students sounds a bit strange, but it is a great alternative to keep a talented (yet burnt out on solo rep) student from quitting altogether. A growing number of summer opportunities for young pianists are available. All of the following study collaborative piano to some degree:

Apple Hill Summer Chamber Music Workshop

BIMA at Brandeis University

Bowdoin International Music Festival

Bravo! Institute - string rep and piano

Musical Theatre and Music Directing

Musician Wages.com is a great site in general, but I wanted to call attention to this article about musical theatre performing and music directing, Tips for the Piano-Conductor by Dave Hahn. It's rare to find actual written advice about the field, so I appreciate when professionals take the time to write about what they've learned through trial-and-error. Enjoy!

Paid to play - Summer Gigs and Opportunities, Updated

(Hey, I've updated this in 2015, check it out)

Here are some places for collaborative pianists to spend their summers getting experience and/or paid. Summer stuff only, in this list:

Chamber/Instrumental:
Aspen - Collaborative Artist Program

Aspen - Contemporary Ensemble Fellowship*

Banff Centre - Collaborative Piano Internship

Castleton Festival Orchestra

Chamber Music Northwest Young Artist Fellowship

Eastern Music Festival hires collaborative pianists for instrumental accompaniment, must be 21 to applyInterlochen Summer Arts Camp hires 4-5 Instrumental accompanists

Hot Springs Collaborative Piano Apprenticeships

Kneisel Hall Chamber Music School and Festival

Meadowmount hires string accompanists - send resume & repertoire list (violin-viola-cello only) to gagnona@uncsa.com

Music Academy of the West - Instrumental Fellowship

Norfolk Chamber Music Session Fellowships

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

Tanglewood - Instrumental Pianist Fellowships

Texas Music Festival Fellowships

University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Chamber Music Institute Fellowships

Opera:
Ash-lawn Opera Festival hires one or two accompanists every summer

Aspen - Opera Coaching Fellowship Program

Atlantic Music Festival Fellowship Program (I think this is an opera gig . . . )

Banff Centre - Assistant Coach/Repetiteur

The College Light Opera Company hires two rehearsal accompanists every summer
CoOPERAtive program at Rider University has a training program for singers and collaborative pianists

Crested Butte Music Festival - Assistant coaches

Glimmerglass
Intermezzo has a 'Festival Orchestra Program'

Merola Opera Program

Music Academy of the West - Vocal Fellowship

Oberlin in Italy - Accompanist Apprenticeships

Opera in the Ozarks hires one or two rehearsal accompanists every summerOpera New Jersey - coach/accompanist apprentice

Opera North - hires pianists

Opera on the Avalon - art song and opera

OperaWorks Summer Intensive Program for coaches

San Francisco Merola Program

Tanglewood - Vocal Pianist Fellowships

Wolftrap Fellowships

Vocal - Art Song:

Asolo Song Festival & Institute for Song Interpretation (Italy)

Baldwin-Wallace Art Song Festival

Franz-Schubert-Institute - summer course for singers and pianists

Songfest - for singers and pianists
Vancouver International Song Institute

Musical Theatre:

Bowling Green State U Huron Playhouse

Intermezzo has a 'Festival Orchestra Program'

Interlochen Summer Arts Camp hires 4-5 Musical Theatre accompanistsKalamazoo Civic Theatre hires accompanists

Surflight Theatre - Musical and Music Directing Internships

West Virginia Public Theatre occasionally hires summer rehearsal accompanists

Choral:

Berkshire Choral Festival has a paid Apprentice program for accompanists

Interlochen Summer Arts Camp hires 4-5 Choral accompanists

Dance:

Interlochen Summer Arts Camp hires 4-5 dance pianists each summer

Etc:

Valleyfair Amusement Park hires keyboardists for summer shows - the rep is R&B, rock and kid stuff (in other words, easy $$)

!!!*Fellowships are [mostly] free