Collaborative Pianists

There are three types of collaborative pianists available: student pianists, staff pianists, and professional pianists. All are committed to making your performance the best possible.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

The following are deadlines for soloists to find a collaborative pianist and give music to be performed to him/her:

Juries

  • Fall Semester – November 1
  • Spring Semester – April 1

Half/Full Recitals

  • Fall and Interim Recitals – May 31
  • Spring Recitals – October 15

Other Performances

  • Tour Soloists – May 31
  • Student Recitals – 30 days before the performance
  • Continuance and Entrance Recitals – 30 days before the performance
  • NATS Competition – 30 days before the performance

Student Pianists

St. Olaf has many student pianists to assist with collaborative performances. Student work funds are available for pianists who play official Junior or Senior Recitals, Student Recitals and juries. Pianists do not have to be on Financial Aid to be paid from these funds; however they must complete the necessary paperwork for the payroll office.  Student pianists must first register as a student worker with the music department. You will find instructions on how to register as a student pianist, payment procedure, payment rates and other helpful information in The Pianist’s Guide and The Soloist’s Guide online at http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/music/resources. Any fee not covered by and/or which exceeds the rates listed in The Pianist’s Guide or Soloist’s Guide is the sole responsibility of the soloist.

Staff Pianists

The music department staff pianists, Lori Ronning Folland and John Jensen, play for many official recitals. Their main priority is to accompany juried recitals (including third and fourth year BM Performance and Church Music Majors, fourth year BM Music Education Majors as well as departmental distinction candidates). Students requiring the services of a staff pianist must follow the same deadlines as those listed under IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER. All requests are to be made through email directly to Lori Ronning Folland or John Jensen. Their email addresses are ronningl@stolaf.edu and jensenj@stolaf.edu. All requests should include the following information:

  • Student name, class year, phone extension # and email address
  • Performance date (approximately if date is not set)
  • Indicate if this recital fulfills a degree requirement. If so, which one?
  • Repertoire to be performed (title and composer)

Staff pianists may also be available to accompany other performances at the request of the performance studies instructor and per the pianist’s availability. An email request is required in every case.  Students who perform in recitals not required by the College Catalog and who perform with one of the college’s staff pianists may be required to pay the staff pianist directly for this service. Students should check with the Music Office before requesting the services of one of the staff pianists and then consult with the staff pianist on an appropriate fee for the service.

Other Professional Pianists

Requests for the use of a professional pianist must first be approved by the department chair. Ask your performance studies teacher to assist you with this process. A list of approved professional pianists is available in the Music Office. You will normally be responsible for paying professional pianists yourself; however students presenting performances required by the Department of Music may be eligible for financial assistance on a first come, first served basis.