Contractual Strings Teacher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position: Substitute Teaching Artist 2026-27 School Year

This position will be offered to qualified teaching artists who will be contacted in the event that a substitute teaching artist in their area of expertise is needed.

Reports to: Director of Education and Site Managers

Classification: Contractual, hired on an as-needed basis

Compensation: $40/hour

Location: Baltimore, MD. School site may vary.

Hours: Dependent on the position and site where the substitute teaching artist is required

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 OrchKids.

OrchKids 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 OrchKids Founding Director, shaped OrchKids into the cornerstone of the BSO’s community engagement efforts across the city with her artistic leadership and direction. OrchKids 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.

OrchKids now works with seven schools in Baltimore City, serving over 1,800 children from Pre-K through 12th grade during school, after school, and in weeklong workshops.

In collaboration with several community partners OrchKids 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. OrchKids is an acknowledged leader in the El Sistema and social-change through music movement throughout the world.

JOB SUMMARY

Our Teaching Artists are dynamic educators who teach instrumental and choral group classes to students, ranging in grades from Pre-K to 12th, depending on the instrument and class. The classes are based on student level/age and meet for one hour, 3-4 days/week. The OrchKids educational philosophy focuses on student-centered learning, holistic and evidence-based teaching practices relevant to our students’ lives, creation and improvisation, inclusion, student voice and agency, and ensemble music-making. Embracing OrchKids educational philosophy, our teaching artists help guide the musical development of the program’s students through these classes. 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 (e.g. improvisation and composition).

Substitute Teaching Artist positions include: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion (orchestral percussion and bucket drumming), harp, and early childhood musicianship.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPABILITIES

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids use the BSO mission and shared values (Appendices) to govern decisions, actions, and behaviors. These values guide how we conduct our work and professional relationships: Creativity, Respect, Excellence, Education/Engagement, and Diversity. We are focused on a people-first culture for our patrons and our entire BSO family.

The BSO is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, differing physical abilities, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, other non-merit factors.

The BSO is committed to improving and protecting the health of our musicians, staff, and our communities. We comply fully with the COVID-19 requirements of the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore. It is required that employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment.

Applications are currently being received on a rolling basis and candidates will be contacted based on openings and qualifications. Finalists will be asked to demonstrate teaching and rehearsal skills in the interview. Should a position no longer be available at the time of the candidate’s interview, they may be asked to be listed on the OrchKids substitute teacher list.

OrchKids provides Baltimore youth with equitable access to community-based, high-quality music instruction and programming that teaches musical and social skills transferable to all areas of their lives.

_________________________

APPENDIX II: BSO SHARED VALUES

In October 2021, the BSO Board of Directors approved the following shared values, or “BSO Creed”:

CREATIVITY

RESPECT

EXCELLENCE

ENGAGEMENT / EDUCATION

DIVERSITY