Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is hiring: Instrumental Teaching Artist in Baltimor

Job Description

Job Description

Our Teaching Artists are dynamic educators who teach instrumental and choral group classes to students, ranging in grades from Pre-K to 12th, depending on the instrument and class. The classes are based on student level/age and meet for one hour, 3-4 days/week. The OrchKids educational philosophy focuses on student-centered learning, holistic and evidence-based teaching practices relevant to our students’ lives, creation and improvisation, inclusion, student voice and agency, and ensemble music-making. Embracing OrchKids educational philosophy, our teaching artists help guide the musical development of the program’s students through these classes. This methodology aims to promote synchronicity and community as well as simultaneously cultivating high artistic instrumental skills (i.e. technique, learning challenging repertoire) and fostering creativity (e.g. improvisation and composition).

Substitute Teaching Artist positions include: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion (orchestral percussion and bucket drumming), harp, and early childhood musicianship.

OrchKids uses music as a vehicle for students to develop 21st century skills (creativity, collaboration, leadership, etc.) that are transferable to all areas of their lives. Marin Alsop, Music Director Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids Founding Director, shaped OrchKids into the cornerstone of the BSO’s community engagement efforts across the city with her artistic leadership and direction. OrchKids was founded in 2008 with 30 students at one elementary school with seed funding from Marin Alsop and Founding Donors Rheda Becker and Robert E. Meyerhoff.

OrchKids now works with nine schools in Baltimore City, serving over 2,000 children from Pre-K through 12th grade during and after school.

In collaboration with several community partners, OrchKids provides music education, instruments, academic assistance, meals, mental health resources, connection to social services, as well as performance and mentorship opportunities at no cost to students and families. OrchKids is an acknowledged leader in the El Sistema and social-change through music movement throughout the world.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Arrive at scheduled site on time
• Group or private lesson classes in accordance with the OrchKids curriculum and educational philosophy
• Follow the lesson plan outline provided by the students’ primary OrchKids teacher
• Serve as a compassionate mentor to OrchKids students
• Hold students to high artistic standards, cultivating both their technical and ensemble skills
• Embrace OrchKids’ mission, goals, and guiding principles
• Supervise students during transitions and breaktime
• Maintain professional, prompt lines of communication with OrchKids staff

Minimum Qualifications:

• Passion for working with youth and desire to serve as a role model to students.
• Strong classroom management skills
• Completed Background Check from Baltimore City Schools (cost reimbursed by OrchKids)
• Considerable experience teaching beginner – intermediate level music students, preferably in a group setting
• In-depth knowledge of instrument specific pedagogy and repertoire
• Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively
• Punctuality, professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills

About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. The orchestra is internationally renowned and locally admired for its innovation, performances, recordings, and educational outreach initiatives, including OrchKids.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs annually for more than 275,000 people throughout the State of Maryland. Since 1982, the BSO has performed at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, and since 2005, with the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD, the BSO became the nation’s first orchestra performing its full season of classical and pops concerts in two metropolitan areas.

In July 2022, the BSO made history with the announcement that Jonathon Heyward would succeed Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder Marin Alsop as the Orchestra’s next Music Director. Maestro Heyward began his inaugural season in September 2023.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is a proud member of the League of American Orchestras.

More information about the BSO can be found at www.bsomusic.org.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids do not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, differing physical abilities, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

On-call. Dependent on the position and site where the substitute teaching artist is required.