Music Theory Instructor

DESCRIPTION

Merit School of Music is seeking a Music Theory Instructor to teach Music Theory Group Classes in our Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition‑free Conservatory Program (TFC). This regular part‑time position runs from Saturday, September 12, 2026, through Saturday, April 3, 2027, and involves about four hours of teaching per week. TFC students are intermediate to highly advanced musicians in grades 6 through 12, and this role offers the opportunity to deepen their musicianship through focused theory instruction alongside their performance studies.

Merit School of Music is a nationally accredited community music school headquartered in Chicago’s West Loop, with additional branches in Chicago’s Old Town and South Shore neighborhoods. Merit’s primary goals are to help young people transform their lives and experience personal growth through music by providing access to sustained participation. For more than 45 years, Merit has been home to a diverse community of talented young musicians and has served as a springboard for them to achieve their full musical and personal potential.

Our 125+ passionate and experienced teaching artists provide access to high‑quality music education, engaging between 2,500 and 3,000 students annually through programming at three branches and in 25+ schools and community centers across the Chicago region.

Merit students, who reflect Chicago’s socioeconomic and ethnic diversity, have the rare opportunity to learn together, dream together, teach each other, and broaden their horizons as they build inspiring lives through music. Merit develops musicians and equips young people with the tools they need to excel in life; virtually 100 percent of Merit graduates attend conservatories or colleges, with 50 percent choosing to study music at the postsecondary level.

Merit School of Music is committed to building a world where historically underrepresented groups can attain access to quality music education. Simultaneously, Merit endeavors to be an organization that genuinely reflects Chicago’s richly diverse community. Merit is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and anti‑racist organization and continually examining our efforts in this area.

The Music Theory Instructor reports to the Piano, Voice, and Guitar Program Director.

Responsibilities of the Music Theory Instructor include, but are not limited to:

• Delivering high‑quality instruction to students in weekly classes
• Communicating with Merit’s on‑site theory faculty and other conservatory faculty to determine individual student needs and goals
• Participating in Merit faculty meetings and/or department meetings
• Completing attendance records for each class
• Corresponding with Merit staff and students/families in a timely manner
• Other duties as assigned

Must‑Have Characteristics

• Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent experience and training
• Proven success teaching music theory at varying skill levels, from beginner through intermediate and advanced
• Strong classroom management skills, with the ability to keep group classes engaging and focused
• Ability to collaborate and work well with colleagues and administrators
• A high level of personal musicianship
• Punctual, professional, and communicative, with a flexible and adaptive disposition
• A genuine commitment to Merit’s mission and to dignity‑centered communication with students, families, and colleagues

The Music Theory Instructor will teach 45‑minute Group Classes on Saturdays, September 12, 2026 through April 3, 2027, for a total of 24 Saturdays during the year. Class times fall between 8:00 am and 3:15 pm, with approximate time slots of 8:00–8:45 am, 8:50–9:35 am, 12:45–1:30 pm, and 2:30–3:15 pm. Ideal candidates will be available to teach 3 to 4 classes weekly.

At Merit School of Music, we believe in a human‑centered recruitment process. While our team occasionally leverages generative AI tools to assist with administrative tasks, such as formatting job descriptions or summarizing interview notes, we do not use algorithms, automated screening software, or AI platforms to…