Quote of the Day and Some Unexpected Search Results

Sometimes when you Google a question, you don't get the answer you were looking for, but uncover all sorts of peripherally related tidbits instead. With my handy Sitemeter stats, I can keep an eye on the keywords that incoming search engine traffic sends to the CPB. From a recent search on Google:

Why doesn't the Rehearsal Accompanist learn the score?

It would appear that someone in the southern US is a little frustrated...

Here are some of the search results:

• Who's That Man With Marilyn Horne? - a 1989 New York Times article on the lives and skills of various collaborative pianists
• Like No Business I Know by Amy Dunn Williams - a look at the skills and experiences of various types of collaborative pianists
• Qualities Expected in a Choral Accompanist from a ChoralNet mailing list
• Working with the Accompanist (bottom of page 303) - a section from Kenneth Phillips' Directing the Choral Program on Google Book Search
• Piano Accompanying: Some Do's and Don't's by Tom Haug
• Most popular audition arias forum thread on Classical Singer - a 2002 forum topic that degenerates into an argument about the specialties of different types of pianists
• Finally, the CPB article that led the searcher here: Should Accompanists Charge Clients For Practice Time?

The unfortunate searcher would not have found an answer to their exasperated question with the above results, but my goodness, what a fascinating group of articles were unearthed in the process.

Nevertheless, the question remains--why doesn't the rehearsal pianist learn the score?

Here are a few possible answers:

• loosening the manacles chaining the pianist to the legs of the instrument may help with their pedaling.
• a pay rate in the high-mid rather than low two figures per service may help create a more positive attitude from the pianist, in spite of a slightly lower margin for management.
• providing the pianist with an original score rather than a fifth-generation photocopy is preferable for both copyright and note-reading purposes.
• putting the pianists' name in the program is not only professional, but will cause the pianist to feel that their contribution to the group is actually making a difference and cause them to play and prepare with more of a sense of engagement and purpose. Ditto on the photo and bio.

Your answers are welcome too...