Beginner String Ensemble Teacher - South Side

The People’s Music School; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 83,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Paid Sick Leave

403b Retirement Plan with employer

Job summary

The People’s Music School in Chicago seeks a Teaching Artist for a Beginner String Ensemble, delivering group instruction to 2nd–12th graders and guiding theory, composition, and ensembles. This in-person, part-time role requires a strong musician, effective mentor, and commitment to regional access to music education.

Responsibilities span instructional delivery, assessments, and collaboration with families and staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in music education or performance (or equivalent experience).
• High level of personal musicianship with knowledge of music theory.
• Experience teaching ensembles to children of different ages and abilities.
• Willingness to continuously learn and adapt teaching practices.
• Self-motivated and able to work in a busy school environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Commitment to TPMS mission and values.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality instruction to students in 2nd–12th grades (incl theory and composition).
• Provide instruction leading to excellence in student performance.
• Deliver theory instruction to improve student assessments.
• Mentor students with consistency and compassion.
• Establish and maintain classroom rules.
• Adapt instruction to meet student needs.
• Incorporate tools from professional development into classes.
• Communicate rehearsal and learning expectations with faculty.
• Potentially supervise a teaching assistant.
• Attend faculty meetings and adjudicate juries and performances.
• Administer theory exams and composition projects.
• Assess student progress musically and behaviorally.
• Discuss learning difficulties with Program Manager.
• Report progress to families tactfully.
• Check and respond to emails from staff and families.
• Collaborate with families, staff, and faculty.
• Create substitute lesson plans for absences.
• Supervise students during transitions and breaks.
• Submit payroll, grading, lesson plans, and evaluations on time.
• Assist with related projects.

Skills

Ensemble teaching

Music theory

Classroom management

Communication

Adaptability

Diversity awareness

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in music education or performance

Job description

Job Title: Teaching Artist, Beginner String Ensemble

Location: Back of the Yards (4619 S Wolcott Ave, Chicago, 60640)

Start date: ASAP

Reports to: Program Manager

Organizational Overview

The People's Music School is Chicago’s oldest and largest completely free nonprofit music school, providing transformational music instruction to over 800 K-12 students in Chicago. The school has a straightforward mission: to provide access to the transformational benefits of high-quality music instruction to youth who otherwise would not be able to afford it. We focus our work in communities that have been systematically excluded and marginalized from receiving a high quality music education.

Through intensive instruction and performance, The People's Music School's students grow not only musically, but also socially, emotionally, and academically, developing a foundation of responsibility, self-esteem, resilience, and purpose. From putting an instrument in an aspiring young musician's hand for the first time, to teaching students how to read and write music and perform in an ensemble, The People's Music School provides opportunity and instruction at sites located in four Chicago communities: Uptown, Albany Park, Back of the Yards, and the Greater South Side. Students receive an average of four hours of instruction per week, at absolutely no cost, delivered by world-class teaching artists.

Job Summary

The primary role of the Ensemble Teaching Artist will be teaching group lessons and ensembles of 20-40 students and delivering a curriculum that includes elements of theory, individual performance, ensemble performance, improvisation, and composition.

Responsibilities - Teaching and Instruction 90%

• Deliver high-quality instruction to students in 2nd-12th grades (including theory and composition)
• Provide high-quality instruction which leads to excellence in student performance
• Deliver theory instruction which leads to excellence in student assessments (Theory Exams, composition projects)
• Act as a consistent and compassionate mentor to each student
• Establish and maintain reasonable rules of conduct within the classroom
• Modify instruction to meet student needs
• Actively incorporate into classes the pedagogical tools shared in Professional Development Meetings

Responsibilities - Administrative Duties 10%

• Communicate rehearsal and student learning expectations with other faculty
• May need to manage a teaching assistant for ensemble support
• Active attendance and participation in faculty meetings, adjudication of juries, and student performances
• Administer student theory exams and composition projects
• Provide assessment of students’ musical and behavioral progress
• Discuss with Program Managers learning difficulties or behavior problems with students as they arise.
• In collaboration with Program Manager, communicate all progress and concerns with tact and professionalism to families
• Regularly check and respond to email correspondence from staff, colleagues, and families
• Collaborate with families, administrative staff, and other faculty
• Create substitute lesson plans for necessary absences
• Supervise students during transitions and breaktime
• Timely and accurate submission of requested materials (payroll, grading, lesson plans, evaluations etc.)
• Assist with other related projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in music education or performance or equivalent experience/training
• A high level of personal musicianship which includes knowledge of music theory in addition to performing ability
• Prior experience teaching ensembles to children of different ages and ability levels a plus
• Willingness to continuously learn and evolve teaching practices to meet the needs of TPMS students; flexible and adaptable
• Self-motivated and unflappable; ability to work effectively in a busy school environment
• Knowledge of a diversity of repertoire appropriate for the age level and ability level of the students taught
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proven experience collaborating and working with people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds
• Personal commitment to the mission and values of The People’s Music School

Physical Demands

• Occasionally required to push, pull, lift and/or move up to 20 pounds

Schedule

• Part Time position with the schedule between the hours below
• Must be available to work in person
• Monday and Wednesday 4:45pm - 6:45pm
  • 4:45 - 5:45pm, String Ensemble
  • 5:45 - 6:45pm, Violin Sectional

Compensation and benefits

• $47-$60 per hourdepending on class type
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Leave
• 403b Retirement Plan with employer match

People-Centered Hiring

People-Centered Hiring: Every application and hiring decision is reviewed and made entirely by human hands and minds.

For more information about The People’s Music School, please visit: www.peoplesmusicschool.org.

The People’s Music School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, physical or mental disability or any other protected status in admission or access to, or employment in its programs and activities.