FWS Teaching Artists @ BSO OrchKids
Currently, these openings are only available to enrolled Peabody students with an accepted Federal Work Study (FWS) Award. If you're unsure about your FWS status, reach out to Financial Aid. If you would like help preparing your application, please reach out to LAUNCHPad@jhu.edu.
Title: OrchKids Teaching Artist through Federal Work Study University Programs
Instruments: Any instrumentalist may apply
Reports to: OrchKids Site Manager and Director of Education
Classification: Contracted
Compensation: $35/hr
Location: Various school sites across Baltimore, MD
Hours: Varies depending on employee availability and school schedule
Between the days and hours of Monday-Friday 8:00am-3:00pm
Organizational Summary:
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:
Our Federal Work Study Teaching Artists are young educators dedicated to supporting our students and their musical progress through small group, pull-out private lessons, or in a supportive teacher role working alongside lead OrchKids teachers in a large class setting. 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).
Embracing OrchKids educational philosophy, FWS Teaching Artists help guide the musical development of the program’s students, supporting lead teachers or in-school music directors. 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).
Responsibilities:
- Provide small-group or private lessons for OrchKids students, or work in a supportive teacher role alongside lead OrchKids teachers in a large class setting
- Follow curriculum standards and repertoire set by the OrchKids program and/or the in-school music director, supporting the musical progress of students, incorporating suggestions and repertoire assigned by students’ lead or in-school teachers
- Embrace OrchKids’ mission, goals, and guiding principles
- Commit to learning about and becoming a dedicated member of the Baltimore community
- Serve as a consistent and compassionate mentor to OrchKids students
- Embracing OrchKids’ educational philosophy and incorporate these principles into your lessons
- Provide feedback/program evaluation as requested
- Whenever possible, attend professional development workshops and meetings offered by OrchKids that cover a variety of educational, community engagement and social justice topics
Qualifications:
- Must be approved as a Federal Work Study Employee by Peabody Institute of Music
- Passion for working with youth and desire to serve as a role model to students
- Some teaching experience working with students one-on-one or in small groups
- Working towards a Bachelor’s degree or completion of Bachelor’s degree
- Completed Baltimore City Background Check (cost reimbursed)
- Knowledge of instrument-specific pedagogy and repertoire
- Willingness to jump in and embrace OrchKids’ practices of music-making through creative composition, improvisation and playing a variety of musical genres
- Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively
- Punctuality, professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills
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.
How to Apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume through Handshake. Applications are due September 18th, 2023 and candidates will be contacted and interviewed based on openings and qualifications.