Music Teacher Grades IV-VI and Ensemble Accompanist

St Bernards School Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Bernard’s School on the Upper East Side seeks a talented Music Teacher for grades IV–VI who will also serve as the ensemble accompanist.

The role includes leading a engaging music curriculum, accompanying boys’ choirs and ensembles, and supporting school assemblies and performances. The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in music education or related field, with 3–5 years teaching experience and a collaborative spirit.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in music education or related field required.
• Experience in accompanying choirs, ensembles, and school performances preferred.
• Ability to engage boys and maintain classroom focus across grades IV–VI.
• Comfort collaborating with Heads of School and music staff.

Responsibilities

• Teach music curriculum for grades IV–VI, focusing on vocal development and literacy.
• Serve as primary accompanist for three boys' choirs, recorder ensemble, small string orchestra, and two recitals annually.
• Accompany rehearsals and two major performances per year.
• Play intro/outro music for assemblies, lead hymns, and accompany class plays as needed.
• Prepare students for two annual performances: Christmas Carols and Spring Concert.
• Accompany 8–15-year-old instrumentalists for two recitals per year as repertoire requires.
• Collaborate with Head of Music on repertoire, music library, and artistic feedback.
• Participate in school life by supervising lunch tables and attending events.

Skills

Music Education

Piano Accompaniment

Collaboration

Youth Engagement

Flexible Scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree in music education, piano performance, or a related field

Job description

Music Teacher Grades IV-VI and Ensemble Accompanist

St. Bernard’s School is a K-9 independent boys’ school founded in 1904. The school, located on the Upper East Side, serves a diverse community of approximately 385 students and employs approximately 100 faculty and staff members.

St. Bernard’s offers young boys of diverse backgrounds an exceptionally thorough, rigorous, and enjoyable introduction to learning and community life. We wish to inspire boys to value hard work and fair play, to develop confidence, consideration for others, and a sense of citizenship, and to have fun while doing these things. We believe that young boys enjoy many benefits from an elementary school designed just for them. It is a long-held belief at St. Bernard’s that it is important both to challenge boys and to show them great affection.

St. Bernard’s seeks a talented, energetic, and highly skilled Music Teacher and Ensemble Accompanist to join our music department for the 2027-2028 school year. This dual-role position involves leading general music education for boys in grades IV‑VI and serving as the primary piano accompanist for assemblies, class plays, and a variety of student ensembles, as well as for two student recitals annually.

Responsibilities:

Teach an engaging music curriculum for boys in grades IV, V, and VI, focusing on vocal development, music theory, and literacy.

Serve as the primary accompanist for three boys' choirs, a recorder ensemble, and a small string orchestra. Accompany regular rehearsals and two major performances per year.

For school assemblies, play entrance and exit music, lead the hymns at all‑school assemblies, and accompany individual class plays in grades IV‑VII, as needed. Assembly music is varied: hymns, school songs, pop, musical theater, and classical pieces.

Assist in preparing students for two performances annually, Christmas Carols in December and the Spring Concert in May.

Accompany young instrumentalists, ages 8‑15, in two recitals annually, when their chosen repertoire requires piano accompaniment.

Collaborate closely with the Head of Music to select repertoire, manage the music library, and provide artistic feedback to students in rehearsals.

Participate fully in the life of the school community by supervising a student lunch table and attending school assemblies and other events.

Be willing to pitch in where needed, including helping with coverage as needed.

Other duties as assigned by the Head of School

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in music education, piano performance, or a closely related field

Appreciation for ritual, tradition, and the joyful unpredictability of a boys' school

At least three to five years of experience teaching music

Knowledge of and facility with effective techniques for keeping boys engaged, motivated, and focused

Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues

St. Bernard’s welcomes and seeks a diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and parents. We're an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $80,000 - $125,000 annually. St. Bernard’s School considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.