OrchKids Instrumental Sub Teaching Artist

Job Description

Job Description

Position : Substitute Teaching Artist 2026-27 School Year 

This position will be offered to qualified teaching artists who will be contacted in the event that a substitute teaching artist in their area of expertise is needed. 

Reports to : Director of Education and Site Managers

Classification : Contractual, hired on an as-needed basis

Compensation: $40/hour

Location: Baltimore, MD. School site may vary.

Hours: Dependent on the position and site where the substitute teaching artist is required

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 Teaching Artists are dynamic educators who teach instrumental and choral group classes to students, ranging in grades from Pre-K to 12th, depending on the instrument and class. The classes are based on student level/age and meet for one hour, 3-4 days/week. The OrchKids educational philosophy focuses on student-centered learning, holistic and evidence-based teaching practices relevant to our students’ lives, creation and improvisation, inclusion, student voice and agency, and ensemble music-making. Embracing OrchKids educational philosophy, our teaching artists help guide the musical development of the program’s students through these classes. 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).

Substitute Teaching Artist positions include: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion (orchestral percussion and bucket drumming), harp, and early childhood musicianship. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Arrive at scheduled site on time
• Group or private lesson classes in accordance with the OrchKids curriculum and educational philosophy
• Follow the lesson plan outline provided by the students’ primary OrchKids teacher 
• Serve as a 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
• Supervise students during transitions and breaktime
• Maintain professional, prompt lines of communication with OrchKids staff

QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPABILITIES

• Passion for working with youth and desire to serve as a role model to students.
• Strong classroom management skills
• Completed Background Check from Baltimore City Schools (cost reimbursed by OrchKids)
• Considerable experience teaching beginner – intermediate level music students, preferably in a group setting
• In-depth knowledge of instrument specific pedagogy and repertoire 
• Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively
• Punctuality, professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills

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.  

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 in the 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. 

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.

_________________________

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.