2025-26 Teaching Artist Job at BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA in Baltimore

Position : Teaching Artist

Subject / Instruments Eligible to Apply : Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba / Baritone, Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

Department : OrchKids

Reports to : OrchKids Program Manager

Classification : Part-Time

Compensation : $50 / hr

Location : Baltimore, MD. School site may vary.

Times : Monday-Thursday with the potential of Fridays, 3 : 15-7 : 00PM. During school hours also available pending school schedules and teacher availability.

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 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.

JOBSUMMARY The OrchKids Teaching Artist is a dynamic educator who leads classes to students in grades 1-12. Each Teaching Artist helps guide the musical development of the program’s instrumental players through small group classes (2-4 students) and / or private lessons.

The OrchKids educational philosophy focuses on student-centered and social emotional learning, evidence-based teaching practices relevant to our students’ lives, high artistic quality and performance, 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.

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 Associate Director of Programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Teaching Responsibilities :

Instrumental lessons : May be leading group classes (5-10 students), 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.

Ensemble sectionals : Lead sectional rehearsals on ensemble days with groups of students (number of students vary based on section size) as well as playing side-by-side with students in sections during full ensemble rehearsals. Sectional lesson plans should follow the recommendations of the String or Wind ensemble directors.

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 and assessments.

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.

Additional tasks / responsibilities : Plan outside of class time (additional time compensated)

Supply requests / maintenance / managing classroom needs

Communicate with the team and respond to student nomination requests for external musical opportunities

Respond to emails within 48 hours

Maintain professional, prompt lines of communication with OrchKids staff

Submitting a substitute request and complete substitute lesson plans if there is a necessary absence.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPABILITIES Passion for working with youth and desire to serve as a role model to students

Strong classroom management skills

Considerable experience teaching beginner – intermediate level students, preferably with experience teaching in a group setting

In-depth knowledge of beginner to intermediate musical pedagogy and repertoire on their instrument of expertise

Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively with the OrchKids team

Punctuality, professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences of relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

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.

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” :

C REATIVITY

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.

R ESPECT

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.

E XCELLENCE

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.

E NGAGEMENT / 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.

D IVERSITY

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.

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