Teaching Artist; OrchKids

Subject/Instruments Eligible to Apply: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Baritone, Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

Department: Orch Kids

Reports to: Orch Kids Program Manager

Classification: Part-Time

Compensation: $50/hr

Location: Baltimore, MD. School site may vary.

Times: Monday-Thursday 3:15-7:00PM. During school hours also available pending school schedules and teacher availability.

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 eight schools in Baltimore City, serving over 1,800 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.

The Orch Kids Teaching Artist is a dynamic educator who leads classes to students in grades 1-12. Each Teaching Artist helps guide the musical development of the program’s instrumental players through small group classes (2-4 students), ensemble sectionals, and/or private lessons.

The Orch Kids educational philosophy focuses on student-centered and social emotional learning, evidence-based teaching practices relevant to our students’ lives, high artistic quality and performance, 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.

Orch Kids supports the professional development of all our teaching artists by providing compensated and mandatory training on topics including trauma-informed teaching, classroom routines and practices, implicit bias and racism within the context of Baltimore City, and other pedagogical resources. Support and feedback is also provided through teacher observation, reflection meetings, and regular communication with Program Managers, Director of Education, and Associate Director of Programs.

• Instrumental lessons:
  May be leading group classes (5-10 students), small‑group classes (2-4 students) and/or private lessons in accordance with the Orch Kids curricular and educational philosophy as outlined in Orch Kids orientations and teacher professional development sessions.
• Ensemble sectionals:
  Lead sectional rehearsals on ensemble days with groups of students (number of students vary based on section size) as well as playing side‑by‑side with students in sections during full ensemble rehearsals. Sectional lesson plans should follow the recommendations of the String or Wind ensemble directors.
• Serve as a consistent and 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.
• Assist with the…