Willow Street Chorus Assistant Director

Willow Street Chorus Assistant Director

Community Music School of Springfield is dedicated to providing an equitable and inclusive center of excellence in music education that empowers individuals, inspires creative passion, and promotes well-being in our greater community. We seek to build a diverse staff that reflects the community we serve, and encourage Latinx and Black individuals to apply. 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 Summary:

Community Music School of Springfield’s Willow Street Chorus is the youngest of our three Children’s Chorus of Springfield groups, with students in grades 1-4. This beginning chorus focuses on fostering a beautiful singing tone with varied repertoire in unison or two-parts. The rehearsals also introduce the first steps in music literacy and ear training.  Each rehearsal includes time for fun with movement and musical games.  This chorus meets once a week for 1 hour.

The Willow Street Chorus Assistant Director is a part time employee who is responsible for planning and facilitating rehearsals that align with learning targets set by the Director of the Children’s Chorus of Springfield.  This individual is responsible for managing program logistics and supporting student recruitment and retention. The position reports to Children’s Chorus of Springfield (CCS) Director for pedagogical guidance, repertoire and resource support, and administrative tasks. CMSS faculty provide high quality music instruction with responsiveness to the individual needs and musical goals of their students. Faculty are expected to be knowledgeable in the literature, technique and pedagogy of their instruments or disciplines. Professional development and continued learning and growth is encouraged and supported.

Responsibilities:

1. Leading weekly Willow Street Chorus rehearsals in alignment with CMSS’ Unified Teaching Values:

Our Purpose: We believe that our primary responsibility is to support the growth of every student’s whole being through music and personal connection.

Our Promise: We have made a commitment to ourselves, to our students, and to each other as teaching colleagues to pursue continuous learning to ensure that we are evolving, acquiring new teaching skills, and staying open to new ways of teaching.

Relationships: We prioritize our relationships with students, ensuring that they feel safe, comfortable, connected, and seen, so that they can take risks and grow.

Communication: We observe our students with care, use thoughtful questioning to assess their learning, and communicate in developmentally-appropriate ways to meet their learning needs.

Feedback: We convey deliberate, honest, and kind feedback that strengthens areas of potential, identifies areas for attention, and uplifts the student.

Lesson Content: We create a learning environment that balances creativity and fun with the goal of developing, retaining, and refining technical skills.

Adaptation: We recognize that every learner is unique and respond by adapting the ways we share information and by using a variety of teaching tools.

Approach: We provide structure and an organized approach while encouraging students to contribute their ideas, self-assess, and direct their own learning.

2. Student Engagement and Education:

• Set expectations for behavior and participation
• Conduct warmups, repertoire rehearsal, and developmentally appropriate singing games
• Guide students in developing vocal skills and musical literacy
• Facilitate Willow Street Chorus events and performances

3. Communication:

• Communicate compassionately and respectfully with students, families and colleagues of all races, ethnicities, cultures, genders, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Promptly communicate any scheduling changes to students/families, and maintain regular contact regarding rehearsals, performance opportunities, and CMSS news and events.
• Respond promptly and effectively to email, phone or in-person communications from CMSS staff or faculty.
• Designate your preferred communication method (email, phone call, text message) with CMSS staff
• Check your @communitymusicschool.com email at least weekly to be aware of updates from the school

4. “ASAP” Registration and Attendance Software (training will be provided):

• Record timely and accurate attendance for Willow Street Chorus
• Confirm your attendance has been successfully recorded in ASAP before the end of the payroll period (12pm on Monday of pay week)
• Demonstrate ability to find contact information for students in your studio
• Maintain the accuracy of your Artist Bio and contact information

6. General:

• Attend all required meetings, trainings and events. If you cannot attend, written notification must be given to Eileen or Sierra prior to the meeting time. You are still accountable for information discussed in these meetings – reach out to staff for recordings or notes from the meeting.
• Treat CMSS spaces, instruments, and equipment with care
• Abide by all Employee Handbook policies and procedures

Hours:                                                                                                                                         

Willow Street Chorus rehearses on Mondays from 4:30-5:30 pm during the school year. Meetings, events and performances will be scheduled throughout the year. Faculty are encouraged to get involved in CMSS’ many different programs and opportunities, which may offer additional hours. These include Sonido Musica, the Adaptive Music Program, Creative Aging, Great Gigs, Trust Transfer Project, chamber ensembles, summer programs, and accompaniment. Reach out to CMSS staff or program managers to learn more.

Required Qualifications:

1. Teaching experience – including tailoring lessons to each student’s needs, assessing and giving feedback on students’ progress, helping students prepare for performances, and mentoring young students
2. Professional performance experience
3. Classroom management experience
4. Ability to demonstrate effective teaching techniques for voice
5. Knowledge of repertoire for vocal ensembles for elementary age children
6. Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusivity, which are foundational to CMSS’ mission
7. Strong interpersonal skills; Ability to communicate compassionately and respectfully with people from a variety of races, ethnicities, cultures, genders, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds
8. Excellent planning and organizational skills
9. Ability to work collaboratively and share responsibility with colleagues
10. Comfort working with computers; proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite
11. Punctuality and reliability

Preferred Qualifications:

1. References from members of our community or faculty
2. Skills in multiple different musical styles and genres
3. Experience performing and/or teaching in and around Springfield
4. Experience tailoring lessons/content to be culturally relevant to students
5. Experience teaching students with different learning styles
6. Higher education in music

 Compensation:

$80 per hour for directing the chorus. $30 per hour for meetings and professional development.

Benefits: retirement plan with employer match, employee discounts, paid professional development

How to Apply:

Please send your resume to Sierra Simmons, Associate Director, at ssimmons@communitymusicschool.comcreate new email. Please include “Willow Street Chorus Application” in the subject of the email.