Wind Ensemble Teaching Artist - South Side

Job Title: Teaching Artist, Wind Ensemble

Location: Greater South Side (5410 S State St, Chicago, 60609)

Start date: September 2026

Reports to: Program Manager

The People's Music School is Chicago’s oldest and largest completely free nonprofit music school, providing transformational music instruction to over 800 K-12 students in Chicago. Its mission is to provide access to the transformational benefits of high-quality music instruction to youth who otherwise would not be able to afford it. The school focuses on communities that have been systematically excluded and marginalized from receiving a high quality music education.

Through intensive instruction and performance, students grow musically, socially, emotionally, and academically, developing responsibility, self-esteem, resilience, and purpose. The school provides about four hours of instruction per week at no cost, delivered by world-class teaching artists, at sites in four Chicago communities:
Uptown, Albany Park, Back of the Yards, and Greater South Side.

The primary role of the Ensemble Conductor will be teaching chamber or large ensembles (20-40 students) and delivering a curriculum that includes elements of theory, individual performance, ensemble performance, improvisation, and composition.

• Deliver high-quality instruction to students in 2nd-12th grades (including theory and composition)
• Provide high-quality instruction that leads to excellence in student performance
• Deliver theory instruction that leads to excellence in student assessments (Theory Exams, composition projects)
• Act as a consistent and compassionate mentor to each student
• Establish and maintain reasonable rules of conduct within the classroom
• Modify instruction to meet student needs
• Actively incorporate pedagogical tools shared in Professional Development Meetings

• Communicate rehearsal and student learning expectations with other faculty
• May need to manage a teaching assistant for ensemble support
• Active attendance and participation in faculty meetings, adjudication of juries, and student performances
• Administer student theory exams and composition projects
• Provide assessment of students’ musical and behavioral progress
• Discuss with Program Managers learning difficulties or behavior problems with students as they arise
• In collaboration with Program Manager, communicate all progress and concerns with tact and professionalism to families
• Regularly check and respond to email correspondence from staff, colleagues, and families
• Collaborate with families, administrative staff, and other faculty
• Create substitute lesson plans for necessary absences
• Supervise students during transitions and breaktime
• Timely and accurate submission of requested materials (payroll, grading, lesson plans, evaluations, etc.)
• Assist with other related projects as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in music education or performance or equivalent experience/training
• A high level of personal musicianship which includes knowledge of music theory in addition to performing ability
• Prior experience teaching specified instrument/ensemble to children of different ages and ability levels a plus
• Willingness to continuously learn and evolve teaching practices to meet the needs of TPMS students; flexible and adaptable
• Self‑motivated and unflappable; ability to work effectively in a busy school environment
• Knowledge of a diversity of repertoire appropriate for the age level and ability level of the students taught
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proven experience collaborating and working with people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds
• Personal commitment to the mission and values of The People's Music School

• Occasionally required to push, pull, lift and/or move up to 20 pounds

• Part Time position with the schedule between the hours below
• Must be available to work in person
• Greater South Side (5410 S State St, Chicago, 60609):
  Monday and Wednesday 4:30 - 6:30 pm

• $47-$60 per hour depending on class type
• Paid…