Collaborative Pianists

Staff Collaborative Pianist Policies:

In 2026-2027, staff pianists are available for:

• BM Performance Junior/Senior Recitals
• BM Performance Entrance/Continuance Recitals
• BM Instrumental Music Education Entrance/Continuance Recitals
• Thursday morning Student Recitals
• Juries

To request either staff pianist, please fill out and submit your music and a Request Form for Staff Pianist.   The forms are located outside of Lori Folland’s studio, CHM 214.  Requests are accepted on a first come, first serve basis until full.  Up to date availability is posted on Lori’s studio door.  No requests will be considered within 30 days of the performance.  Lori will contact you within a few days of receiving your request.

Please contact Lori Folland with any questions.  

St. Olaf College will pay student collaborative pianists for their work in a variety of circumstances: juries, student recitals (including entrance and continuance recitals), official junior & senior recitals, the Senior Soloists competition, Philharmonia competition, and St. Olaf Band and St. Olaf Orchestra Tour Soloists competitions. Pay for these performances includes a specified amount of collaborative preparation, which typically involves some rehearsal, playing the piece(s) during part of a lesson, performing the piece(s) during part of a studio class, and the performance itself.  (See deadlines below.)

For circumstances in which the college will not pay (studio classes, for example), students may pay a student pianist on a freelance basis. Rates for student freelance work are negotiated between student musicians seeking a student collaborative pianist and the student collaborative pianists themselves.

When Student Musician Is Searching for a Student Collaborative Pianist:

1. Performing student fills out Google form.
2. Student collaborative pianists receive notification of project.
3. Within 24 hours, student pianist will email all parties including requesting student notifying them that they have gotten a request to play.
   1. If within 24 hours, the requesting student has not been included in an email, please reach out to Lisa McDermott for next steps.
4. The pianist’s keyboard professor will consult the score, and “replies all” to student collaborative pianist’s email, approving or denying request within 3 business days of receiving processed email. 
5. Student collaborative pianist and requesting student begin to schedule rehearsal times.

Notes

• Soloists should consult their studio instructor before contacting a collaborative pianist.
• Below is a list of Student Pianists who are approved as collaborative pianists.
• Deadlines to find a student collaborative pianist and give them your music:

Juries
Fall Semester – November 1
Spring Semester – April 1

Half/Full Recitals
Fall Recitals – May 31
J-Term and Spring Recitals – October 15

Other Performances
Orchestra Tour Soloists – May 31
Band Tour Soloists – September 30
Senior Soloists – January 24
Student Recitals – 30 days before the performance
Continuance and Entrance Recitals – 30 days before the performance

Outside professional freelance pianists are used for all degree-required recitals and juries, including junior recitals for Performance majors and senior recitals for all B.M. majors.  All entrance/continuance recitals will be with our staff pianists (see below.) It is the student’s responsibility to coordinate with the pianist for rehearsal times.

• Ask your instructor for a list of available professional freelance collaborative pianists.  The use of the freelance pianist must be approved by your studio instructor.
• For non-degree-required performances, students are responsible for paying the freelance pianist’s fee.  Be sure to ask your collaborative pianist for policies and fees.
• The college will not pay for freelance collaborative pianists for tour soloist, senior soloist, other auditions, and non-degree-required student recitals.
• Questions?  Contact Lisa McDermott in the department office.

The Music Department is always looking for student collaborative pianists – apply any time!

• Student pianists need a work award.  If you do not have one, please go to the Financial Aid office (TOM 120) and request a work award.  (It’s simple.)  Then go to Student Employment and fill out an I-9.
• Student pianists must be approved by a member of the piano faculty.  Please complete the Collaborative Pianist Information form, then go to the student employment website and apply to be a student collaborative pianist.
• Lisa McDermott will send you a job offer via Oracle and add you to the department website.
• Pianists are required to fill out their Oracle time sheet at the time the work is completed. The current Music Department hourly rate is $15. The pianist may charge the following on their time cards:
  • 10 contact hours maximum for a full recital ($150)
  • 6 contact hours maximum for a half recital ($90)
  • 2 contact hours maximum for each jury/student recital ($30)
  • Any hours that exceed the rates listed here are the sole responsibility of the soloist.