tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post5984154937691659230..comments2024-03-23T14:36:56.227-04:00Comments on The Collaborative Piano Blog: Support Staff?Chris Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248396106719265480noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-67105321962519351562010-05-09T17:15:26.724-04:002010-05-09T17:15:26.724-04:00Ellen, I understand. But just because there are a ...Ellen, I understand. But just because there are a few abusive job situations doesn't necessarily mean that the entire field is rotten. You have to be selective when looking for employment.Chris Foleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05248396106719265480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-19694643354930230322010-05-09T12:32:14.805-04:002010-05-09T12:32:14.805-04:00I used to look at staff accompanists with envy. N...I used to look at staff accompanists with envy. Now I can look at staff accompanists with pity. Guess I won't go to graduate school for this field....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13202060043611629754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-50371896607966073222009-12-31T09:21:55.425-05:002009-12-31T09:21:55.425-05:00Thanks for the comment, geor3ge. If a department h...Thanks for the comment, geor3ge. If a department has the human resources to administrate that type of system (both in accounting and in CP department coordination), it can result in positive experiences for students, pianists, and the school as a whole.Chris Foleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05248396106719265480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-15326975823237382692009-12-31T09:14:30.070-05:002009-12-31T09:14:30.070-05:00As a staff accompanist at Westminster Choir Colleg...As a staff accompanist at Westminster Choir College, my wages are funded by "accompanist fees" paid by the student to the school. We're paid on a "per student/per semester" basis, and in exchange we're obliged to provide 15 hours of service for each student, both in lessons and private coaching periods.<br /><br />Of course, WCC has a little over 400 voice majors and a dozen staff accompanists, but the "accompanist fee" model could be easily adapted by any school with legitimate budgetary concerns.geor3gehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18382136451663610951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-73575371232734052122009-04-03T12:50:00.000-04:002009-04-03T12:50:00.000-04:00I really, really doubt $10.06 comes with free (and...I really, really doubt $10.06 comes with free (and good) health insurance with dental and vision, employer contributions to a 401(k) or a 403(b), FSA accounts, professional development, generous paid vacations, etc. I am thinking it *does* come with unrewarding work and colleagues that strongly feel accompanying is definitely a "support staff" position, and only worth $10.06 an hour - and the resulting mistreatment.<BR/><BR/>But that's just my guess.<BR/><BR/>Students at many colleges make more accompanying their friends - and are paid by the school... but even when their friends pay them, even in barter, it's still worth more than $10.06 an hour.<BR/><BR/>I am trying to find any upside to $10.06 an hour, but I really can't. I've made more in retail and as a secretary, and the hours are a lot more regular and less stressful. I was scheduled for days off! I think they'll be getting what they pay for in this case.ChiarinaEstrellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12062821752500426508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-56169439952024946012009-04-02T20:56:00.000-04:002009-04-02T20:56:00.000-04:00To be honest, I don't know much at all about benef...To be honest, I don't know much at all about benefits at county colleges. Why don't you call them up?Chris Foleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05248396106719265480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-37773181820145982552009-04-02T19:48:00.000-04:002009-04-02T19:48:00.000-04:00I think that $10.06 is not a "sustainable wage lev...I think that $10.06 is not a "sustainable wage level" unless you live at home or with roommates. Maybe if the college could offer additional benefits of some kind it might sweeten the pot. Anyone have any ideas what kinds of bennies they could provide?Cristina Cassidyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01655510287496070523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-471999598025851682009-04-02T16:48:00.000-04:002009-04-02T16:48:00.000-04:00Heh, I'm afraid working in McDonalds is much bette...Heh, I'm afraid working in McDonalds is much better financially. You will get $7/h and no home preparation. Actually, there was e time when I worked as a pizza delivery guy. I made $12-13 per hour for sure, including the tips. Are there any 10-20% tips in this job offer??<BR/>:)Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-39288001610198812042009-04-02T13:13:00.000-04:002009-04-02T13:13:00.000-04:00Er... I made more as a secretary. A low-level sec...Er... I made more as a secretary. A low-level secretary. Without an undergrad degree.ChiarinaEstrellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12062821752500426508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-3693830769100106052009-04-02T09:17:00.000-04:002009-04-02T09:17:00.000-04:00Thanks for the comments, Toto and docudramaqueen!N...Thanks for the comments, Toto and docudramaqueen!<BR/><BR/>Now I'll play Devil's Advocate from the management side: From a college's point of view, they simply must stay on their business plan's financial targets at a time when times are tough and there is a surplus of available labor in the field. Keep in mind that there have been only a handful of openings for tenure-track collaborative piano positions this year in North America. Lots of people are looking for work. Why not make a position available at a sustainable wage level that will provide opportunities for those entering the field?Chris Foleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05248396106719265480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-49386925761618570662009-04-02T08:50:00.000-04:002009-04-02T08:50:00.000-04:00$10.06!? For on-call AND sight-reading? Even at US...$10.06!? For on-call AND sight-reading? Even at USD, IMHO that hourly rate is so ludicrously and unacceptably low that it borders on human rights abuse. Where did they get their guidelines from, the Fifties? It should be plainly obvious that any campus should be ready to pay AT LEAST twice that much for any kind of viable quality.Totohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05643427505422178454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734173.post-87605332812362802402009-04-02T08:43:00.000-04:002009-04-02T08:43:00.000-04:00Great article. These kinds of discussions need to...Great article. These kinds of discussions need to happen among musicians and we need to share info. Thanks. Keep up these kinds of posts, please.Cristina Cassidyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01655510287496070523noreply@blogger.com