String Instructor & Coordinator
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestras are looking for a String Instructor & Coordinator. The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in music performance on a string instrument and/or a degree in music education with a string/orchestra focus or relevant experience. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and positive individual that can work in a team environment. The full position description is listed below.
String Instructor & Coordinator
Position Description
Status: Part-time (4-24 Hours); Non-Exempt
Supervised By: ISYO Conductor, ISYO & Youth & Community Education Programs Manager, and ISO Executive Director
Organization Description:
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra is central Illinois’ largest professional orchestra serving over 35,000 patrons in the communities of Bloomington-Normal, Springfield and the surrounding region. The ISO has appeared at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall and has performed state-wide with appearances at the Ravinia Festival, Millennium Park in Chicago, and at the Illinois State Fair. In addition to concert performances, the Orchestra's music education and outreach programs serve pre-K and elementary schools through the Itsy Arts and Music Matters education programs and reach middle schools, high schools, universities, community organizations and senior centers through guest artist residencies and musician and ensemble performances.
The ISO acquired the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony (SVYS) organization in June of 2020. SVYS was formed in the early 1970s by parents, music teachers and musicians following the elimination of school orchestra programs. Currently, the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestras (ISYO) programs serve over 300 students in multiple ensembles including Starter and Junior Strings, Preparatory Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra. The ISO also has a partnership in education and community engagement (PEACE) with the University of Illinois Springfield-School of Music and with the Illinois State University School of Music and College of Fine Arts.
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra proudly serves as a vital cultural resource, educational partner, and an invaluable enhancement to the quality of life in its home bases of Springfield and Bloomington-Normal offering programs that are accessible, equitable, diverse, and inclusive. The orchestra performs in Bloomington/Normal at Illinois State University’s Center for the Performing Arts, Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts and Second Presbyterian Church and in Springfield at the UIS Performing Arts Center, First Presbyterian Church, and other community locations. The ISO has a budget of approximately $1.4 million.
Teaching Duties and Responsibilities:
Instruct Starter Strings and/or Junior Strings classes during the academic year, arriving at least 15 minutes prior to each class. Classes generally take place at elementary schools, and occasionally at community locations. Depending on the expertise and comfort level of the instructor, they may include one or multiple instruments (for example, violin and viola).
Work with ISYO Conductor and other Strings Instructors to develop and refine the yearly curriculum for Starter and Junior Strings program.
Create weekly lesson plans based on curriculum.
Provide students and parents with weekly practice plans for each class, including additional materials as needed such as example photos and/or videos.
Attend and participate in the presentation of concerts that include Starter and/or Junior Strings during the academic year and arrive at the designated time.
Maintain weekly class attendance rosters and report any changes to roster or student contact information to the Programs Manager.
Document any disciplinary actions taken during classes and provide to ISYO Youth and Community Education Program Manager.
Attend required meetings, auditions, and events for ISYO programs.
Assist in the recruitment of students and general promotion of Starter and Junior Strings program.
Set up and break down classroom spaces as required.
Administrative Duties and Responsibilities:
Be a primary communicator with the parents of your students regarding individual
student/parent needs & concerns, as well as sharing program-related information with families.
Be a primary communicator with schools where you are teaching, including participating in school presentations and parent meetings and communicating with school principals as needed, including inviting principals to attend ISYO events their students are participating in.
Other Duties:
Play a positive, visible, and active role in the Central Illinois music community.
Assist in the general promotion of ISYO programs.
Develop and foster a strong working relationship with local and regional school and community music educators.
Attend official functions and meetings of ISO/ISYO as required.
Promote the overall public image of ISO/ISYO in the local community and beyond.
Requirements:
The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in music performance on a string instrument and/or a degree in music education with a string/orchestra focus or relevant experience.
The successful candidate will have experience teaching string instruments to beginning musicians who are learning a string instrument for the first time. ISYO beginner Starter Strings musicians are typically starting at the third-grade elementary school level.
The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and positive individual that can work in a team environment. S/he will be comfortable working in a collaborative environment with a small staff and limited resources. S/he will be eager to develop the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra programs in the community. S/he will be flexible, adaptable, and energetic.
The successful candidate will be able to accept a work schedule that may include morning, evening, weekend activities, and occasional travel.
Compensation: $65 per class taught and $65 per hour for attendance and presentation of the classes at ISYO concert performances. $20 per hour for attendance at additional required meetings and/or events. Travel reimbursement for travel more than 20 miles round trip to all required ISO/ISYO- related events at the rate of $0.25/mile. Mileage calculation is based on the zip code traveled to and from.
Application Deadline: Applications submitted before June 8th will receive priority.
Contact Name: Jackie Mitra, Youth & Community Education Programs Manager
Website: www.ilsymphony.org
Application Procedure: E-mail cover letter and resume to Jackie Mitra, Youth & Community Education Programs Manager, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, jmitra@ilsymphony.org. No telephone calls, please.