Substitute Instrumental 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

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 nine schools in Baltimore City, serving over 2,000 children from Pre-K through 12th grade during and after school.

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.

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 Orch Kids 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 Orch Kids 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.

• Arrive at scheduled site on time
• Group or private lesson classes in accordance with the Orch Kids curriculum and educational philosophy
• 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, cultivating both their technical and ensemble skills
• Embrace Orch Kids’ mission, goals, and guiding principles
• Supervise students during transitions and breaktime
• 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)
• 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 Orch Kids use the BSO mission and shared values (Appendices) to govern…