Title: percussion Teaching Artist, 2022-23 School Year
Department: OrchKids
Reports to: OrchKids Program Manager
Classification: Part-Time
Compensation: $50/hour
Location: School site may vary
Times: Times will vary depending on teaching artist availability and specific school site hours

There are jobs, and then there are jobs where you get to make a difference. Members of our dedicated OrchKids team know how excellent music education can create pathways to success and transform lives. As we continue to grow, nurture, and expand our programming, we strive to build our team with dedicated and experienced individuals who wish to share the power of music with our exceptional students. 

Organizational Summary:
OrchKids is a year-round, during and after school, music program designed to foster social change and nurture promising futures for youth in Baltimore City’s least-resourced neighborhoods and schools. In collaboration with several community partners, including Baltimore City Public Schools, OrchKids provides music education, instruments, academic assistance, performance, and mentorship opportunities, as well as meals and connection to social services at no cost to our families. Currently OrchKids works with nine public schools in Baltimore City, serving children from Pre-K through 12th grade. OrchKids is an acknowledged leader in the El Sistema-inspired and social-change through music movement throughout the world.

Job Summary:
The OrchKids Percussion Teaching Artist is a dynamic educator who teaches orchestral instrument and drumset percussion classes to students in grades 2-12. The Percussion Teaching Artist helps guide the musical development of the program’s percussion players through small group classes (2-4 students) and/or private lessons.

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, learning challenging 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, Director of Education, and Manager 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.

Requirements:

• Must have an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination status and submit proof of vaccination (From CDC.gov: A person is up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination if they have received all recommended doses in the primary series and one booster when eligible. Getting a second booster is not necessary to be considered up to date at this time.)

Teaching Responsibilities:

• Teach percussion small-group classes (2-4 students) and/or private lessons in accordance with the OrchKids curricular and educational philosophy as outlined in OrchKids orientations and teacher professional development sessions
• Serve as a consistent and 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
• 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 compensated)
  • Facilitate students’ fall and spring assessments as instructed
  • 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

For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/3g6PNTa