At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide piano accompaniment for concerts, recitals, and individual tuition.
- Company: Join the vibrant community at Westminster School, renowned for its musical excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension scheme, and access to leisure facilities.
- Other info: Flexible hours during term time with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team and inspire young musicians in a prestigious environment.
- Qualifications: Outstanding keyboard skills and experience in various musical styles are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25024 - 25024 £ per year.
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 holders
The 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
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.
School Accompanist employer: Westminster Opera Co.
Westminster School is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work environment where music plays a central role in the community. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities for professional growth, staff can thrive while inspiring the next generation of musicians. The part-time School Accompanist position allows for a flexible schedule, competitive salary, and generous benefits, making it an ideal choice for those passionate about music education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Accompanist
✨Get Involved in Online Communities
Dive into online forums and communities centred around digital learning and education, like EdTech chats on Twitter or groups on LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions and sharing your insights can help build your visibility and credibility in the sector.
✨Attend EdTech Meetups and Workshops
Look for local meetups or workshops focused on digital education trends. Not only do they enable us to learn about the latest in the field, but they’re also great networking opportunities to meet potential employers like Westminster Opera Co. or other educators who might know about upcoming part-time roles.
✨Leverage Your University’s Resources
If you’re currently studying, make sure to tap into your university's career services. They often have connections with local businesses in the education space, plus they can help us uncover part-time job openings that aren't widely advertised.
✨Showcase Your Skills through Projects
Create a portfolio showcasing any relevant projects or experiences in digital learning. Whether it's designing a learning module or contributing to an e-learning platform, having tangible examples will catch the eye of hiring managers at Westminster Opera Co..
We think you need these skills to ace School Accompanist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience in Digital Learning:When applying for a role in digital learning like the School Accompanist at Westminster Opera Co., make sure to showcase any prior experience you have in creating or managing online learning materials. We want to see how you've made an impact in previous roles, so don’t shy away from providing specific examples or projects you’ve worked on.
Showcase Relevant Skills and Tools:Mention any specific platforms or tools you’ve used in the digital learning space. For instance, if you're familiar with LMS (Learning Management Systems) or any authoring tools, include these in your CV. This demonstrates you’re not only passionate but also ready to hit the ground running at Westminster Opera Co..
Express Your Passion for Education:In your cover letter, we really want to feel your enthusiasm for digital learning. Talk about your motivations for joining Westminster Opera Co. and how you hope to contribute to shaping the future of education. This is a part-time role, so highlighting your commitment and drive will go a long way!
Tailor Your CV to Stand Out:Adapt your CV specifically for the School Accompanist role by aligning your experiences and skills directly with the job description. Use strong action verbs and bullet points, focusing on your contributions in previous roles. We appreciate a clear, concise format that makes it easy for us at Westminster Opera Co. to see why you’re a perfect fit.
How to prepare for a job interview at Westminster Opera Co.
✨Showcase Your Digital Savvy
In the digital learning and education space, being tech-savvy is crucial. Make sure to highlight any experience you have with e-learning platforms, learning management systems, or educational software during your interview. Think about specific examples of how you’ve used these tools to enhance learning experiences – this will show Westminster Opera Co. you’re already familiar with the landscape!
✨Prepare to Discuss Educational Theories
Expect questions related to educational methodologies or theories that underpin digital learning. Brush up on concepts like constructivism or blended learning and be ready to discuss how these can apply to real-world scenarios. The interviewers at Westminster Opera Co. will appreciate your understanding of the educational principles that drive effective learning.
✨Flexibility & Adaptability are Key
As this is a part-time role, demonstrate how you can manage your time effectively and adapt to the dynamic demands of the position. Share examples from past experiences where you successfully balanced multiple tasks while contributing to team projects. This will reassure Westminster Opera Co. that you’re not just a candidate but a reliable team member who can juggle responsibilities.
✨Portfolio and Samples Matter
Even for a part-time gig, having a portfolio of your work can really set you apart. If you've designed any e-learning modules, created educational content, or implemented any successful teaching strategies, make sure you can present those. Being ready with tangible examples from your past work will help you make a stronger case to Westminster Opera Co. about what you bring to the table.
