Music Theory Teaching Artist (2023-24 School Year)

Date: April 17, 2023
Position: Music Theory Teaching Artist
Department: OrchKids
Reports to: OrchKids Program Manager
Classification: Part-Time
Compensation: $50/hr
Location: Baltimore, MD
Hours:

• Wednesdays 3:30-5:30pm
• Hours per week vary by site, roughly 35 weeks/year (Late September 2023 – Mid-May).

THE BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and ORCHKIDS
For over a century, the BSO has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. As the largest cultural institution in Maryland, the BSO is internationally recognized and locally admired for its innovation, performances and recordings, and educational community initiatives including OrchKids.

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 seven schools in Baltimore City, serving over 1,800 children from Pre-K through 12th grade during school, after school, and in weeklong workshops.

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.

JOB SUMMARY
The OrchKids Music Theory Teaching Artist is a dynamic educator who teaches applied music theory to students in grades 2-12. The Music Theory Teaching Artist helps guide the theoretical understanding and development of all students/instruments across the program through group classes (15-20 students).

The OrchKids educational philosophy focuses on student-centered learning, evidence-based teaching practices relevant to our students’ lives, creation and improvisation, inclusion, student voice and agency, and ensemble music-making. This methodology aims to promote synchronicity and community as well as simultaneously cultivating high artistic instrumental skills (i.e. technique, theory, and diverse repertoire) and fostering creativity (e.g. improvisation and composition).

OrchKids supports the professional development of all our teaching artists by providing compensated and mandatory training on topics including trauma-informed teaching, classroom routines and practices, implicit bias and racism within the context of Baltimore City, and other pedagogical resources. Support and feedback is also provided through teacher observation, reflection meetings, and regular communication with Program Managers, Senior Education Manager, and Director of Programs. OrchKids Teaching Artists also have the opportunity to participate in a number of student concerts and partake in our unique Collective Composition workshops, during which we work with our students to create and perform new, original music.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Teaching Responsibilities:

• Teach Music Theory group classes in accordance with the Orchids theory curriculum outline and educational philosophy
• Develop, with support from OrchKids Director of Education, a year-long theory class scope and sequence plan based on the OrchKids music theory curriculum components
• Regularly evaluate and modify year-long scope and sequence plan in order to best support students’ development and musical growth
• Serve as a consistent and compassionate mentor to OrchKids students
• Embrace OrchKids’ mission, goals, and guiding principles
• Hold students to high artistic standards, applying music theory comprehension to their instrumental and ensemble skills
• Assist with the implementation of systems, standards and evaluations related to student progress
• Perform administrative duties essential to running one’s own classroom, including photocopying, room setup/breakdown, lesson planning, etc.
• Supervise students during transitions and breaktime
• Attend required concerts, meetings, events and professional development sessions
• Actively incorporate into classes the perspectives, strategies, language, routines, and other pedagogical tools conveyed through the OrchKids professional development sessions
• Maintain professional, prompt lines of communication with OrchKids staff
• Creating substitute plans if there is a necessary absence
• Additional tasks/responsibilities:
  • Copy necessary music/scores
  • Plan outside of class time (additional time included in salary)
  • Supply requests/maintenance/managing classroom needs
  • Communicate with the team and respond to student nomination requests for outside musical opportunities
  • Respond to emails within 48 hours

QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPABILITIES

• Passion for working with youth and desire to serve as a role model to students.
• Strong classroom management skills
• Considerable experience or qualifications to teach beginner – intermediate level music theory, preferably in a group setting
• In-depth knowledge of music theory fundamentals, rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic notation, ear training exercises, and orchestral instrument transposition
• Willingness to apply OrchKids’ approach to music-making through creative composition, improvisation and playing a variety of musical genres into music theory classes
• Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively with the OrchKids team
• Punctuality, professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills

HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume to orchkids@bsomusic.org

No phone calls. Applications are currently being received on a rolling basis and candidates will be contacted based on openings and qualifications.  Finalists will be asked to demonstrate teaching and rehearsal skills at an interview. Should a position no longer be available at the time of the candidate’s interview, they may be asked to be listed on the OrchKids substitute teacher list.

OUR CULTURE AS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids use the BSO mission and shared values (Appendices) to govern decisions, actions, and behaviors. These values guide how we conduct our work and professional relationships: Creativity, Respect, Excellence, Education/Engagement, and Diversity. We are focused on a people-first culture for our patrons and our entire BSO family.

The BSO is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to 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, other non-merit factors.

The BSO is committed to improving and protecting the health of our musicians, staff, and our communities. We comply fully with the COVID-19 requirements of the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore. It is required that employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment.

APPENDIX I:  ORCHKIDS MISSION
OrchKids provides Baltimore youth with equitable access to community-based, high-quality music instruction and programming that teaches musical and social skills transferable to all areas of their lives.

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APPENDIX II:  BSO SHARED VALUES

In October 2021, the BSO Board of Directors approved the following shared values, or “BSO Creed”:

CREATIVITY

• We believe the BSO is first and foremost an artistic institution that is dedicated to the finest creative musical expression.
• We seek to facilitate opportunities for creative approaches that allow musicians, staff, board, and partners to collaborate to serve our mission.
• We strive to inform all decisions with our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

RESPECT   

• We believe the BSO should value, appreciate, and treat all individuals – patrons, staff, musicians, guest artists, and volunteers with compassion, respect, and dignity.
• We seek to create a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable environment for all.
• We strive to embrace all human differences and commit to caring and civility towards all with whom we work and serve.

EXCELLENCE

• We believe it is an honor to present great music to stir and nurture the soul.
• We seek to attract, develop, and retain the best talent in all musicians, staff, board, and volunteers. Everyone who works at the BSO has an important role to play in our success.
• We strive to act with uncompromising integrity and transparency.

ENGAGEMENT / EDUCATION   

• We believe deep connections to the diverse communities we serve are essential to our mission.
• We seek to inspire and educate with powerful and meaningful musical experiences for audiences of all ages.
• We strive to nurture the talents of musicians of all ages with accessible educational initiatives and programs.
• We strive to create a culture where musicians, staff, board, and volunteers communicate, collaborate, understand, and appreciate each other’s work.

DIVERSITY

• We believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – with respect to race, gender, and personal identity – are cultural and strategic imperatives.
• We seek to create a culture of excellence that ensures access and inclusion of diverse voices in all that we do.
• We strive to use the universal language of music to bring people together and embrace our multicultural society.