Download Pianist Application Guidelines

36 Battersea Square, London, SW11 3RA, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0) 20 7326 8000 Fax + 44 (0) 20 7326 8060
www.rad.org.uk Email [email protected] or [email protected]
Pianist recruitment - information for applicants
Thank you for your enquiry about becoming a pianist for the Royal Academy of Dance. This
document gives you all the necessary information about our selection and training procedures.
If you would like to be an RAD pianist you will need to be a well presented professional. You should
have or be able to acquire a thorough knowledge of the required music, including relevant RAD
syllabus music where necessary. Examination pianists should be able, through their playing, to let
examination candidates show their full potential in line with the examination marking criteria.
Accompanying ballet classes and examinations can be demanding physically and mentally, but also
extremely rewarding.
1. Remuneration
Pianists are paid on an hourly basis. Any necessary accommodation and travel costs (in accordance
with the RAD Travel Expense Policy) will be met by the Academy. Subsistence is also provided for
nights spent away from home on RAD business.
If you require any further information, including current rates of remuneration, please contact the
RAD Music Department ( [email protected] ) or, outside the UK, your local RAD office.
2. Application and Selection Procedure
The Pianist application procedure is divided into two sections: written application form and video
application.
Written application form
You should complete the application form using the information from the Person Specification and
Job Description.
Complete the application form and equal opportunities monitoring form (optional) and return them
by email or post to:
Human Resources Department
Royal Academy of Dance
36 Battersea Square
London
SW11 3RA
[email protected]
or, if outside the UK, to your local RAD office.
Video application
Where filming includes students, please ensure that you have written permission from the
students and/or their parents/guardians. Students/parents/guardians should understand what
the filming is for. The film will only be used by the RAD interview panel for the purposes of pianist
recruitment. We may ask to see copies of the written permission.
Submit either:
a 5 minute film of you playing a piece of your choice, or accompanying a singer or instrumentalist.
The repertoire used should be from the western classical tradition.
or:
a 5 minute film of you accompanying a ballet class, either syllabus or non-syllabus.
Submission
Submit your video via a video hosting service, such as YouTube or Vimeo.
When uploading your video, please label your video ‘Pianist Application’ followed by your full name
(as listed on your application). In the description of your video, list your full name (as on your
application) and Filmed Task number (1 or 2).
It is recommended that you set the privacy settings to unlisted (or the equivalent) so that the video
is not publically available, but can be seen by anyone you choose to share the link/url with.
Should you have any questions regarding the submission of your video application, please contact
[email protected]
Assessment
The filmed task will be assessed using the following criteria:






accuracy of notes and rhythms
dynamic range
expressive qualities e.g. phrasing, appropriate use of rubato etc.
appropriateness and consistency of tempo
appropriate choice of music
interaction with and awareness of the dancers (where appropriate)
Interviews
Successful applicants will be contacted for a face to face or telephone/skype interview, depending
on location. The interview will involve discussion of your application with a Staff Pianist and Music
Administrator.
As part of the interview, you may also be asked to undertake a practical test, i.e. playing dance
rhythms, sight reading, performance of syllabus music extracts, etc. In this event you will be given
due notice of the kind of test to be undertaken before the interview takes place, together with any
music necessary.
All applicants will be contacted following the interview to be informed of the outcome of the
interview and overall application process.
3. Criminal Record Clearance
The Academy has an obligation to safeguard the young people in its care; therefore anyone
employed by the Academy who either comes into contact, or works closely, with students under the
age of 18 should obtain an Enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service or, when
resident outside the UK, other relevant authority. Applicants should also be aware of the Academy’s
Safeguarding Policy & Procedures, which can be found on the RAD website.
If you do not already have a DBS check (or equivalent) which can be applied to your position as an
RAD pianist you will be required to make an application for which you will need to meet the cost.
The Royal Academy of Dance has a policy on criminal record checks and the recruitment of exoffenders and is bound by the DBS Code of Practice. The Academy also has a policy on the use,
storage and dissemination of information on a disclosure. Copies of the DBS Code of Practice are
available from the HR Department and the other policies are available on the RAD website. The HR
Department will send successful applicants instructions on how to make a DBS check application in
the UK and a local examination administrator will able to advise applicants elsewhere.
4. References
On the application form, you are asked to supply the names and addresses of two referees who may
be contacted by the Academy, one of which should know you in a professional capacity (previous or
current employer), and the other personal, (not a relative or family member). Please ensure that
nominated referees are in agreement with you supplying their details. Referees will be contacted for
those applicants who are successful at application and video stage.
5. Entitlement to work
The RAD has a legal responsibility to employ only those who are entitled to be employed in the
country of engagement. Successful applicants will be asked to provide original copies of evidence of
their entitlement to work and the HR Department or local office will keep a copy for RAD records. A
document “Entitlement to work and study in the UK” is available at
http://www.rad.org.uk/about/work-with-us-1/hr-policies and local offices will be able to provide
advice for the requirements elsewhere.
6. Appointment
Contract
Applicants who are successful in their application, have satisfactory references, criminal record
clearance and the right to work in the country in which they are engaged will be issued with a
Statement of Engagement, and Terms and Conditions for casual pianists applicable to each
allocation of work.
Provision of music
As per the Terms and Conditions of Engagement (2.1) pianists are expected to provide their own
sheet music as appropriate to the activity. The RAD can offer advice and assistance in making
appropriate learning resources available.
7. Questions
If you would like to talk to someone about making an application please contact the Human
Resources Department at [email protected] or the Staff Pianist and Music Administrator at RAD
headquarters: [email protected] or, if outside the UK, your local RAD office.
Data Protection
Information provided by you on your application form will be processed by the Royal Academy of Dance for the purpose of dealing with your Pianist
application only. Your details will not be shared with other organisations.
Equal Opportunities
The Academy confirms its commitment to a policy of equal opportunities across all areas of its work. No job applicant, employee, student or candidate will
receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, gender or marital status, disability, religion, political
belief, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, parental status or age.