Job Title:         Community-Embedded Musician - Education Specialist

Department:       Education & Community Engagement

Reports to:        Lead Community-Embedded Musician

Status:           Part-time, season-long contract between August 2024 - May 2025

Compensation            $65-$75 per hour for instructional time (commensurate with experience); $25 per hour for non-instructional time (meetings, professional learning, planning)

Please include your resume, cover letter and a 6-10 minute video (see description below) when applying.

Summary:

The Houston Symphony is seeking music education specialists to play a pivotal role within its flagship music education program, In Harmony. This community-based afterschool music education program aims to foster community and life skills through active music making. The inaugural site is DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony, situated in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward, in collaboration with partners DeLUXE Theater and AFA.

The Community-Embedded Musician Education Specialist will be integral in shaping and leading the curriculum. Within the DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony program, they will design a curriculum emphasizing community-building and fundamental music skills for approximately 50 students, supporting the specific focus on violin instruction. As the program expands to a second location in the 2024-25 season, another specialist will contribute to its musical development, with its particular emphasis on active music-making evolving as the program grows. Ages may range from grades 3-8 (depending on the site), and Community-Embedded Musician teaching artists will support large-group time and lead small-group instruction.

This is a contract position that will average six instructional hours each week (3 after-school sessions), in addition to select performances and special events throughout the school year. We anticipate an average of 6 non-instruction hours per week, including planning, professional learning, and meetings. The In Harmony program primarily takes place throughout the school year and may also include opportunities in the summer months.

Essential Job Functions:

• Teaching Responsibilities (75%):
  • Provide in-person instruction as both a lead and support teacher, for afterschool sessions, performances, and special events (calendar to be co-developed with the site-based team).
  • Collaborate with the site-based In Harmony team to develop innovative curriculum and routines, with shared goals and ideals.
  • Enforce routines, structure, and discipline to cultivate a positive and supportive community of students.
  • Lead large-group class-time (typically classes of 25-40) to support students’ development of music fundamentals.
  • Support violin instruction as needed in small groups, pull-out lessons, or full-group rehearsals.
  • Support daily logistics, including room set-up and breakdown, student transitions and supervision of children.
  • Hold students to a high artistic standard, cultivating both their technical and ensemble skills.
  • In collaboration with the Site Manager and Lead Community-Embedded Musician, support student recruitment and retention efforts.
• Administrative responsibilities (25%)
  • Co-facilitate bi-weekly instructor team discussions with Lead Community-Embedded Musician, creating plans that ensure alignment on curriculum.
  • Participate in faculty professional development sessions (approximately 3 half-day sessions each season).
  • Work with the site-based team to build and contribute to a strong, positive culture around In Harmony programming, with strong lines of communication between faculty, students, partners, caregivers, and families.
  • Maintain professional and prompt communication with the Symphony’s In Harmony program manager (Lead Community-Embedded Musician) and Community Engagement Associate.
  • Identify and present any challenges that need to be rectified proactively in collaboration with the Lead Community-Embedded Musician, Community Engagement Associate, and Site Manager.
  • Perform administrative duties essential to running a classroom, including the compilation of worksheets, resources, or music packets (with time for staff to print and prepare), room setup/breakdown, lesson planning, etc.

• Strong child and classroom management skills, with proven experience.
• Experience with developing music education curriculum that reinforces music fundamentals and social development for elementary and/or middle school-aged students.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and conduct large groups of children with established routines and structure. 
• Comfort with an accompaniment instrument (piano, guitar, ukelele).
• Flexibility and willingness to work collaboratively with other instructors, partners, and management team.
• Exhibits punctuality, professionalism, and superior interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to embrace In Harmony practices of student-centered learning, incorporating creative elements like composition, improvisation, and a variety of musical genres.
• Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus.
• Enthusiasm for El Sistema and its philosophy of social change through music.
• Bachelor’s degree in music preferred, or 2-3 years related work experience.

To apply, please submit the following:

1. Application
2. Cover letter and resume.
3. 6-10-minute video targeting 4^th grade students, including a brief performance and introduction of yourself and the musical work being performed. Please email a link to a shared video file to education.community@houstonsymphony.org

Questions can and will be discussed during the interview process, but please feel free to email initial questions to education.community@houstonsymphony.org.