Musicianship Substitute Teaching Artist

Position:
Substitute Teaching Artist 2025-26 School Year

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 (typically programming runs during the academic school day 8am-2:25pm).

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 Orch Kids.

Orch Kids 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 Orch Kids Founding Director, shaped Orch Kids into the cornerstone of the BSO’s community engagement efforts across the city with her artistic leadership and direction.

Orch Kids 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.

Orch Kids 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 Orch Kids 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. Orch Kids is an acknowledged leader in the El Sistema and social-change through music movement throughout the world.

The Musicianship Teaching Artist is a dynamic educator and classroom leader who teaches early childhood music and movement classes to students in elementary school, primarily kindergarten through 2nd grade (typically in classes of 15-25 students). Musicianship classes incorporate materials, practices, repertoire, and activities drawing from methods including Orff, Kodaly, Dalcroze, Gordon, etc.

The Orch Kids 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.

• Arrive at scheduled site on time
• Follow the lesson plan outline provided by the students’ primary Orch Kids teacher
• Serve as a compassionate mentor to Orch Kids students
• Hold students to high artistic standards
• Embrace Orch Kids’ mission, goals, and guiding principles
• Supervise students during transitions and break times
• Maintain professional, prompt lines of communication with Orch Kids staff

• 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 Orch Kids)
• Experience teaching early learning classes
• Proficient knowledge of musical teaching and performing pedagogy
• Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively
• Punctuality, professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Orch Kids 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…