Anyone know any place looking for performers?

[pagesong]

Hi I want to perform in public more often, and I was wandering if anyone knows any places or agents looking for pianists to perform live or for recording or whatever. I am in ARCT piano right now. and I live in Toronto. Thanks!

[mcgillcomposer]

I heard that the concrete at the corner of Yonge and Bloor is looking for a musician?

[Bob]

Do a search on here.  There are two threads at least I think.

[allthumbs]

I heard that the concrete at the corner of Yonge and Bloor is looking for a musician?

Bug off! That's my corner.

[pagesong]

can you tell the specific name please? thanks.   

[timothy42b]

Most churches are in desperate need of pianists and/or organists.  So desperate, in fact, that I play for three services, abyssmal as my skills are. 

Just remember, every performance is also an audition - you never know whose listening. 

After you've played in any venue, you become known to the community of musicians.  And provided you do the basics (arrive on time, stay sober, laugh at the leader's jokes) you will start getting calls. 

[pagesong]

Thanks for your reply. but i have two questions though. 1. i'm not religious, so they probably wont ask me to play right? and second, how would i find these things? like do i have to go to the churches and ask them or something?

[rc]

I don't think you need to be religious to play at a church.

You can also look around town for restaurants that have pianos.  At one restaurant I asked to play their piano.  I played the only piece I knew at the time and they wanted to hire me on the spot.  They told me I'd have to play for about 3 hours a night...  But playing the same piece over and over for 3 hours doesn't count   Also more recently a friend was talking to a restaurant owner in town who's always looking for musicians to play.

The other job offer I got was at an adult students recital, after playing a rag an old fellow came and asked me if I wanted to join his band...  Again I declined, didn't think I'd be able to keep up (took weeks to learn that rag, couldn't sightread).

Also I've been asked to play at retirement homes.  They had some books of tunes from the oldtimers era... (again, declined because I couldn't sightread)

(guess which skill I've been working on for a while now )

Oh, I've also been asked to play for a friends wedding at the end of summer.  That one I accepted

So, what's worked for me is basically to play any chance I find and to talk about it to people.  Without looking for anything specific, opprotunities pop up out of nowhere.

My teacher also lets me know about a lot of performance opps.  Festivals and competitions are good opps, not to mention getting to hear and meet other musicians.

[ramseytheii]

If you want to perform more, you have to find the places yourself.  No place is looking for piano performers, because there are so damn many piano performers that in order to find one, all you have to do is walk out your front door.  Nobody is sitting around waiting for concert pianists to show up, you have to do it yourself.

Walter Ramsey

[prongated]

Nobody is sitting around waiting for concert pianists to show up, you have to do it yourself.

...I think you meant something like, "Nobody is going around hunting for concert pianists to perform"...?

[Bob]

For churches, just call up and ask.  The worst is they say no.  The best is you get to play.  Even better would be if they paid you. 

You're supposed to play something "contemplative" and "churchy" for a religious service.  Not a flashy or dissonant piece.

When I've played in a church I always feel obligated to put money in offering.  It kind of defeats the point then.  I'm paying them to play then.  But it's still a performance.


I think there are people out there looking for concert pianists.  They just want ones that have a guaranteed audience so they get a return on their investment.

[invictious]

For churches, just call up and ask.  The worst is they say no.  The best is you get to play.  Even better would be if they paid you. 

You're supposed to play something "contemplative" and "churchy" for a religious service.  Not a flashy or dissonant piece.

When I've played in a church I always feel obligated to put money in offering.  It kind of defeats the point then.  I'm paying them to play then.  But it's still a performance.


I think there are people out there looking for concert pianists.  They just want ones that have a guaranteed audience so they get a return on their investment.

Mephisto Waltz, Black Mass Sonata and Prok Toccata in D minor

[pagesong]

Thanks alot for the information. 
But I'm only a teenager so they probably won't consider as much as other people. (unless i play really well...)
and also  i don't go out that much so it'll probably be hard to find a place plus i'm not religious...

[Bob]

I don't think it matters whether you're religious or not.  Churches still want music. 

Adults don't all have the time to perform anyway.    Teenagers do and are at an age where they can prepare something and perform it. 

Just do it.  I doubt you'll regret it.  Do something that's well within your limits.