Position Function:
The Department of Music seeks an energetic, team-oriented, and artistic candidate to serve as staff accompanist for MSU Choral Activities, MSU Opera, and in Collaborative Piano. The successful candidate will assume this role at an exciting time in the department with new facilities, strong enrollment, a strong relationship with the University administration, and planned growth in curriculum and community relations. The new Staff Accompanist is expected to bring an innovative and energetic perspective to coaching and performance, and a collegial spirit to department and university service.
For MSU Choral Activities, the candidate will serve the entire choral area, under the leadership of the Director of Choral Activities, including daily rehearsals, evening/weekend travel for all choir tours (two trips expected for the current fiscal year), an annual choral colloquium for high school students, and multiple annual performances in the Starkville community (currently 6-8 performances per year).
For MSU Opera, the candidate will support the Director of Opera in weekly opera classes and in production week evening/weekend rehearsals and performances (currently 2-4 productions per year). Occasionally, a musical theatre production takes the place of an opera production.
To complete each semester's workload assignment, the candidate will serve as Collaborative Pianist for assigned applied university students (coordinated by a Collaborative Piano Area Coordinator).
As a staff position, the candidate will be limited to 40 hours per week full-time, but must be willing to hold an extremely flexible schedule, be masterful at pre-planning weekly commitments with multiple priorities, and document weekly hours spent on each assignment.
The position is considered 9-month staff (starting January 16, 2026), at a salary between $30,000-$35,000 with comprehensive benefits.
Salary Grade: 10
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.
Area of Specialization:
Piano
Anticipated Appointment Date:
January 16, 2026
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Prepare/practice accompaniments for all choral groups
• Prepare/practice accompaniments for all opera/musical theatre productions
• Prepare/practice accompaniments for collaborative piano students
• Perform with students/faculty on all choral, opera/theatre, and assigned collaborative pianist concerts, recitals, and juries
• Participate in university, college, and departmental service, including a willingness to serve department auditions, faculty recitals, and faculty searches.
• Exemplify an ideal personality to collaborate and consult with the Director of Choral Activities, Director of Opera, and Collaborative Piano Area Coordinator
• Perform related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
• Completed bachelor's degree in music (primary discipline piano) is required at the time of appointment
• Appropriate performance experience
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience working collaboratively in a variety of academic and community settings
• Academic and professional characteristics consistent with the missions of the University, College, and the Department of Music
• Professional performance experience
• University performance experience
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Advanced piano playing
• Ability to follow a soloist or a conductor in performing a musical score
• Knowledge of popular, semi-classical, and classical music
• Ability to play at sight with accuracy
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with faculty, students, and other staff
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
No unusual physical requirements other than multiple hours of piano practice and performance every day. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
Instructions for Applying:
• Only complete application files will be considered
• Candidates must apply online at jobs.msstate.edu
A complete application will include:
• Letter of application (clearly articulating expertise in collaborative piano)
• Curriculum vitae with names, telephone numbers and email addresses of five current references
• Copies of all academic transcripts (official transcripts will be required at the time of hire) *Any social security numbers should be redacted prior to submission online*
• Recent audio and/or video links representative of collaborative piano (optional)
• Recent audio and/or video links representative of solo piano performances (optional)
• Open until filled. For best consideration, apply by December 7, 2025
• For more information about the application process, please contact Dr. Daniel Stevens, Department Head, at dstevens@colled.msstate.edu
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
