School Accompanist

Job Introduction School Accompanist Required for: September 2026 Location : Dean's Yard, Westminster School Contract: Part-time, Permanent Position (term time only) Hours of work: The postholder is employed for 27 hours per week, term-time only. The nature of the work will require the postholder to work a number of these hours in the weekday evenings as well as during the daytime, and occasionally on Saturday mornings, as agreed in advance with the Director of Music. Salary: £25,024.19 per annum (actual) Benefits include: A generous School pension scheme Free access to the School's leisure facilities, including a fitness gym (restricted hours) Access to the School's Cycle to Work Scheme and season ticket loans following completion of our standard probation period Private medical insurance (opt-in)Free school meals are also available when working on-site. The closing date for this role is 09:00 on Friday 3rd July 2026. Interviews will take place in person on Wednesday 8th July 2026. We are looking to recruit a first-rate accompanist and an inspirational communicator with a willingness to be part of a friendly and supportive team. Outstanding keyboard skills and first-rate sight-reading skills are essential. You will be flexible in your approach, with the ability to work across a variety of musical styles, both with those pupils who are exceptionally talented and with those who are less advanced.You will coordinate the provision of all piano accompaniment throughout the School. You will also provide some individual tuition.You will be an outstanding musician and accompanist, a performer of the highest standard, and an inspirational communicator. Positive teamwork skills, outstanding keyboard skills and first-rate sight-reading skills are essential. Responsibilities Oversee all accompanying within the Department, organising the provision of piano accompaniment for : House Concerts (nine per year) Soloist Concerts (three per year) Vocal Concerts (two to three per year) Music Society Recitals (weekly informal recitals on Thursday lunchtimes) Annual series of masterclasses (five to seven per year) Lunchtime recitals at external venues ABRSM or Trinity Laban examinations (presently three sessions per year) GCSE / A Level recitals, including the performance of all examination coursework Sufficient rehearsal opportunity for all of the above Meetings between the Director of Music and prospective music award holders Auditions for 13+/16+ Music Awards Academic Music interviews for 13+/16+ Music A Level entry This list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be asked to take on additional accompaniment responsibilities as reasonably requested by the Director of Music The candidate will also be responsible for: Encouraging pupil pianists to take on the role of accompanist as appropriate Overseeing the provision of solo performance opportunities for all Music Award holdersThe School Accompanist will be expected to attend the Weekly Department Meeting, which takes place on Wednesday mornings. Teaching Provide a maximum of four-to-five hours per week of instrumental tuition. Management of School Pianos Ensure that school pianos are tuned and maintained to a consistently high level throughout the academic year and particularly before performances and examinations in liaison with the Head of Piano. Provision for Music Award Holders (MAHs) Oversee the contribution of MAHs to the annual calendar of performances, and to: Develop strong rapport as an accompanist, offering both musical and pastoral benefits Monitor progress of MAHs as soloists (many have external teachers) Ensure MAHs are getting through plenty of repertoire Identify those ready to perform a piece in public Encourage MAHs to sign up for performance opportunities Hours of work The postholder is employed for 27 hours per week, term-time only. The nature of the work will require the postholder to work a number of these hours in the weekday evenings as well as during the daytime, and occasionally on Saturday mornings, as agreed in advance with the Director of Music.As a term-time only post, holidays are taken in the School's main holidays.This is a permanent role. Salary The salary for this role is £25,024.19 per annum (actual). This post is subject to a six-month probation period. The Music Department Music plays an integral part of life at Westminster, where pupils are encouraged to learn and participate as fully as possible in a weekly routine of rehearsals, recitals and concerts.Many internationally renowned musicians have been educated at the school including Adrian Boult, Alexander Shelley, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Clemency Burton-Hill, Dido Armstrong, Gavin Rossdale, George Benjamin, Grace Chatto, Henry Purcell, Ian Bostridge, Julian Anderson, Michael Flanders and Donald Swann, Mika Penniman, and Roger Norrington.Up to twelve Music Scholarships are awarded each year. Academic music standards are extremely high, with a good proportion of music students going on to read music at University or Music College.The Manoukian Music Centre, an excellent facility opened in 2005, is fully equipped with Rehearsal /performance hall, recording studio, classrooms, practice rooms, rehearsal rooms and instrument storage to the highest standards.Concerts take place annually in St John's Smith Square, Westminster Abbey and the Royal Festival Hall or the Barbican. The location of the school allows unrivalled opportunities to attend musical performances on the South Bank and West End. Instrumental Music There has long been a tradition of excellence in instrumental music at Westminster. Over 30 instrumental ensembles rehearse each week including orchestras, bands, three large string ensembles, numerous brass, wind and percussion ensembles and an extensive jazz programme.Westminster musicians regularly attend the junior departments at the Royal Academy, Royal College and Guildhall, and a good number are members of national ensembles. Choral Music In recent times, the Choir of Westminster School has developed a national reputation for excellence as a Signum Records recording artist, giving annual concerts at the Barbican or the Royal Festival Hall and performing regularly at venues including Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. The school's Chamber Choir rehearses regularly throughout the week in preparation for twice-weekly services in Westminster Abbey, as well as regular evensongs in the School Chapel. There are additionally other choirs that rehearse weekly, and 190 parents sing in The Westminster Choral Society which meets throughout the Lent Term. Staff A team of 45 members of music staff provide opportunities for all pupils at Westminster. In addition to the full-time members of academic teaching staff, there are Heads of Brass, Keyboard, Popular Music and Jazz, Singing, Strings, Woodwind, and a School Organist. Departmental logistics are coordinated by a Music Department Manager, Music Secretary, Music Assistant, and the Sound and Events Technician. Equal Opportunities We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation. Safeguarding and Child Protection Westminster School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Working at Westminster Westminster School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of around 750 pupils, 120 teaching staff and 108 support staff.Our staff are friendly