Adaptive Music Program Manager

Community Music School of Springfield (CMSS) is hiring for the position of Adaptive Music Program Manager. CMSS is dedicated to providing an equitable and inclusive center of excellence in music education, arts learning, and cultural engagement that empowers individuals, inspires creative passion, and promotes well-being in our greater community. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Position Overview:

CMSS’ Adaptive Music Program (AMP) was founded in 2016 to meet the needs of disabled students with high support needs in the Springfield community. Focused on total inclusivity and identity affirmation, AMP’s mission is to ensure that all learners are welcomed into the essential human experiences of making music and connecting with others through music. AMP uses the principles and methods of accessible and adaptive education to improve students’ lives and support their social, academic and artistic development. AMP staff engage in ongoing professional development on neurodivergence affirmation and culturally responsive music pedagogy.  CMSS’ Music Therapy program is under the AMP umbrella, and AMP teaching artists include both music therapists and music educators.

The Adaptive Music Program Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Adaptive Music Program. They ensure successful implementation of AMP programming, and create, maintain and adjust the goals and benchmarks of the program to reflect the changing needs of the school districts we serve. They supervise AMP Teaching Artists and interns. This position reports to the Executive Director, and work collaboratively with CMSS Director of Finance and Operation, Director of Faculty and Education, Sonido Musica Program Director, and Accountant to ensure integration and alignment with other CMSS programs.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in CMSS strategic leadership conversations to maintain AMP’s alignment with the organization’s mission and evolution to meet community needs
• Represent AMP to the greater community, including presenting information about AMP at meetings, fundraisers, press conferences and other events
• Oversee the direction and growth of AMP in alignment with CMSS’ mission
  • exploring new areas of program expansion
• Collaborate with CMSS’ Director of Finance and Operations and Executive Director to develop annual program budget and fundraising strategy
• Cultivate strong relationships with organizational and individual partners, including Springfield Public Schools Director of Visual and Performing Arts, SPS Special Education Supervisor, and area school principals
• Oversee communication and planning with AMP sites and district leadership
  • Maintain prompt communication and consistent (and kindly persistent) follow up with program site contacts to ensure all programs are set up and commence in a timely manner
  • Design programming for each site that fits their needs and schedules
  • Coordinate AMP placements and schedules
  • Communicate with schools about any teaching artist absences
  • Act as substitute teaching artist as needed for teaching artist absences or make-up dates
  • Create proposals for each site that has a Fee for Service program
    • Send contracts to site contact and ensure CMSS Accountant receives signed copies
    • For schools with multiple CMSS programs, work with Director of Education to ensure AMP details are accurate on contract
  • Track all contracted services including start and end dates and any missed classes/makeup dates, adjusting invoices and communicating changes if needed
  • Adjust or augment program offerings at each site as needed
  • Advocate for the needs of the program
  • Assist with billing-related communications to ensure timely invoice payment
• Oversee Create & Connect child-and-caregiver programming at CMSS
  • Direct publicity with support from CMSS Marketing Coordinator
  • Handle all staff scheduling, student registrations and communications
• In collaboration with Director of Finance and Operations, Director of Faculty and Education, and Accountant, maintain an up-to-date written record of all AMP program sites, funding sources, and teaching artist schedules
• Oversee AMP teaching artists
  • Promptly communicate schedule information with teaching artists
  • Maintaining regular connection and communication with each AMP team member to keep updated on their experiences at each site, providing guidance or intervention where necessary.
  • Closely mentor new Teaching Artists, including comprehensive onboarding, and co-teaching until they are comfortable working alone
  • Keep accurate records of teaching artist attendance and services delivered for each site
  • Visit each site at least twice per year to observe teaching artists and interns
  • Providing written (or recorded) feedback to each teaching artist with specific guidance, tools, and resources for their areas of growth (twice per year for interns or teaching artists in their first 5 years and once per year after that)
  • Lead monthly team meetings that support team cohesion and a learning mindset
  • Support AMP teaching artists with filling out timesheets and mileage reimbursement forms
  • Work with Director of Education to coordinate professional development opportunities that meet the needs of AMP teaching artists
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on trends and best practices in the field of adaptive music education
• Collaborate with CMSS leadership and program managers on organization-wide activities as needed
• Work with Director of Finance and Operations to meet all requirements and deadlines for AMP grant applications and reports, including helping with narrative content as needed
• Recruit, hire, and train new AMP teaching artists as needed
• Communicate and coordinate with CMSS Events and Inventory Manager to ensure all AMP inventory needs are met
• Run CMSS’ AMP Foundations Certificate program
  • Recruit collegiate students
  • Coordinate scheduling and participant placement
  • Implement course curriculum and continue to update it as needed
  • Oversee mentorship and training

Required Qualifications:

• Work experience in program management and/or arts administration
• Experience providing music instruction for children with disabilities and adapting instruction to meet their needs
• Understanding of and connections within Springfield’s educational and arts landscape
• Proficiency in teaching music pedagogy
• Experience overseeing staff/faculty and supporting their success and sustainability in their roles
• Demonstrated commitment to working in and lifting up historically marginalized communities, and to equity and inclusivity, which are foundational to CMSS’ mission
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills; Ability to communicate compassionately and respectfully with people from all races, ethnicities, cultures, genders, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Understanding of and alignment with the principles of anti-ableism, access, and inclusion
• Understanding of the musical histories and cultures that are relevant to Springfield youth (for example, past education in music history or ethnomusicology, lived experience and roots in Springfield)
• Familiarity with and comfort engaging in Springfield’s local community spaces; care for and about the Springfield community
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, detail-oriented, with the demonstrated ability to manage deadlines and multiple ongoing projects from start to finish
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and focus in a busy environment
• Ability to think strategically and anticipate future needs and next steps for the program
• Self-directed, able to execute on tasks and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google suite (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Forms, Google Docs/Sheets)
• Punctuality and reliability
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and share responsibility with colleagues
• Ability to proactively follow up with colleagues and partners, who may be busy and difficult to get a hold of, with confidence, persistence, and kindness

Preferred Qualifications:

• General Music teaching experience

Physical and Mental Demands of the Position: Click here opens PDF file

Schedule:

• 20-30 hours per week, generally Monday-Friday during the school day. Occasional evening/weekend hours with advance notice.

Starting pay rate:

• $28-$32 per hour depending on experience and qualifications
• Classroom teaching and facilitating professional development sessions for non-AMP-teaching artists is paid at CMSS’ teaching and presenting rates:
  • Solo teaching is paid at $80 per hour and co-teaching is paid at $58 per hour.
  • PD presenting is paid at $100 per hour.
• Coaching, observing, and training AMP teaching artists and Foundations Certificate students is considered part this role and paid at the AMP Manager rate.

Start date: June 2026

To apply:

Please email Sierra Simmons, Director of Finance and Operations, at ssimmons@communitymusicschool.comcreate new email, and include the position you are applying for in the subject line. Please attach your resume, and if you have relevant skills and experience that are not explicit on your resume, please describe them in your email. You can also email Sierra if you have any questions or would like to request an accommodation for the application process.