Accompanist fees

[Scarborough]

Greetings,

I realize this really differs from community to community and state to state but I need some input on what to charge for some accompanying work.  Last year I resigned from the a teaching job at a school, but I remain friends with the music department staff, including the woman who took over for me in the orchestra department.  In the past I did all my own piano playing, when needed for pieces, and taught the kids to play sans conductor as a chamber ensemble.

The choir director wants me to accompany her 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choirs, each of which are doing about 5 pieces of music.  The new orchestra director also wants me to play piano for about 7 pieces.  The three choirs and the three orchestras are to perform on the same night.  There is a dress rehearsal the day before, and the choir director wants me to come in for some rehearsals the week before.  

These are catholic schools with fairly well-supported music groups.  Can anyone offer me any suggestions on what I should charge the choir director?  What to charge the orchestra director? I know what I'm comfortable charging for a single performance and three rehearsals but that is for an individual.  Should I go with a hourly rate?  Or just a fee?  I have a feeling they are not going to ask me in for a lot of rehearsals, knowing how I play and due to time, so a lump sum (for each director) might be better for me, but how much?

Ideas?

Heather Anderson
handerson1@sbcglobal.net