Rehearsal and Performance Piano Accompanist

About us

Chester Operatic Society are Chester’s oldest continuously performing music group, having been formed over 100 years ago.  We have a strong regular membership of over 50 performers who come from throughout Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales.

We perform a regular programme of concerts and occasional shows, seeking to ensure variety in what we do.  Regular repertoire includes (but is not limited to) musical theatre, popular, swing, classical, sacred and folk.  Regular performances include themed concerts, our annual Christmas concert, small ensemble productions, shows and “come and sing” days.

Our Musical Director, Jan Hutchings, ensures our high standard of performance and our productions are usually accompanied by a band of musicians. Alongside our piano accompanist, we frequently have guitar, bass, flute, saxophones, clarinet and percussion.

We rehearse regularly on Thursdays from 7:30pm to 10pm at St Marks Church, Saltney, with occasional Monday rehearsals at the same venue when the production schedule requires.

Our accompanist

Our long-standing piano accompanist is retiring from the role.  As such, we are seeking someone to step in and take on this vital role. As an educational charity, our accompanist plays a vital role in helping our members to learn more about music in general and our repertoire in particular.

What we need:

You’ll be able to join us at rehearsals for our next production of “The Merry Widow”. You’ll be a capable player and able to support a Musical Director in developing; however, you’ll also be a capable sight reader and have a strong understanding of musical theory.

Rehearsals run from the beginning of January 2025 (mainly in Saltney, Chester) and you’ll also be able to accompany us in our delivery of this production from June 19th to 21st 2025 using the grand piano at Chester’s beautiful Town Hall, as part of a small ensemble.

What we offer you:

Our primary offer is a challenge! We give you the opportunity to play the delightful music “The Merry Widow”.  However, we have an ongoing need for an accompanist and so there is a longer-term opportunity to join with a real variety of music and to be musically creative, working with our Musical Director to find the right sound for the group.

We strive to be inclusive and supportive.  If you have specific needs and/or reasonable adjustments that we are able to provide in our accessible rehearsal space then we are happy to discuss these and commit to giving you an equitable opportunity.

The detail

Fees: £60 per rehearsal and enhanced fees on a production day

We seek to appoint for each event for which we’re rehearsing but, unsurprisingly, continuity is valued.

Breaks in Summer and at Christmas. If there are particular circumstances preventing an accompanist attending a rehearsal, then this can be accommodated.

More information about us can be found on our website: chesteroperatic.co.uk

To apply

Please email our Chair via chair@chesteroperatic.co.uk providing a summary of your relevant experience and capability.

The process will start with a discussion with Will, our Chair, then move onto another discussion with our team.  Suitable candidates from there may be invited to accompany at a rehearsal (for which their time will be paid) to explore how you work with the group and to give you a feel for how we work.