Music Program Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Instrumental Music serves as a visionary leader, educator, mentor, and collaborator within the Orange Lutheran Visual & Performing Arts Department. This individual leads and develops a Christ-centered instrumental music program that inspires students toward artistic excellence, meaningful worship, personal growth, and authentic community. The ideal candidate is passionate about program building, student recruitment, and the cultivation of a thriving culture of collaboration across the arts. This role requires a relational leader who values teamwork, innovation, mentorship, and discipleship and fosters a highly engaging and musically excellent learning environment.

The Director of Instrumental Music will actively contribute to the unified mission and culture of the Visual & Performing Arts Department by partnering closely with faculty, production staff, administration, students, families, and the broader community to create transformative artistic experiences. By focusing all activities through a Christ-centered lens, the director strives to help students deepen their appreciation for music, develop confidence and leadership skills, experience the power of worship and community, and grow in their faith and character.

Reports to: Director of Arts

Supervises: Instrumental Music Instructors

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP & GROWTH

• Provides visionary leadership for the instrumental music program with a strong emphasis on growth, recruitment, retention, and student engagement
• Develops and implements strategies to strengthen and expand all areas of the instrumental music program
• Cultivates relationships with feeder schools, community organizations, prospective families, and alumni to support program development
• Fosters a positive and collaborative program culture centered on excellence, belonging, creativity, and student leadership
• Creates meaningful and inspiring performance opportunities that engage both school and community audiences

INSTRUCTION & STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

• Provides students with a focused, Christ-centered, challenging, and engaging educational experience in a safe and supportive environment
• Integrates Biblical principles, worship, prayer, and Christian worldview throughout instruction and program culture
• Teaches instrumental music courses and ensembles using engaging, innovative, and student-centered instructional methods
• Fosters musical growth in areas including technique, theory, music appreciation, performance, creativity, and collaboration
• Encourages student ownership, leadership, confidence, and artistic expression
• Adapts instruction and materials to meet varying student needs, interests, and abilities

PERFORMANCE & EVENT LEADERSHIP

• Plans, rehearses, and directs concerts, festivals, worship events, tours, and other performance opportunities throughout the school year
• Supports instrumental music participation in school productions, graduation ceremonies, chapel, and community events
• Collaborates with technical and production teams to ensure successful performances and events
• Oversees scheduling, music selection, equipment, travel coordination, and program logistics

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications and competencies listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and physical demands required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position

Education

BA or BS Degree; Major/Field of Study: Music, or completion of an approved teacher training program; successful completion of student teaching at a recognized college or university, or proven successful classroom teaching experience

Experience

• Five years+ experience as a high school music director, including orchestra, concert band, jazz ensemble, musical pit orchestra, marching band, winter guard, and percussion ensemble
• Advanced training in teaching skills, music education administration, and leadership
• Any satisfactory combination of education, experience, and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties listed

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND CLEARANCES

• Cleared Background/Fingerprint check
• Valid CPR and First Aid certifications
• Cleared TB assessment
• Completion of Ministry Safe Training

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strong understanding of instrumental music pedagogy, ensemble leadership, and secondary music education
• Demonstrated ability to build and grow a successful music program
• Effective rehearsal techniques and conducting skills
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication abilities
• Ability to foster a highly relational, student-centered learning environment
• Commitment to collaboration, adaptability, and creative problem-solving
• Ability to mentor students spiritually, artistically, and personally
• Confidence in recruiting, promoting, and advocating for the arts program

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Demonstrates a vibrant Christian faith and a heart for worship, ministry, and discipleship
• Exhibits humility, integrity, professionalism, and servant leadership
• Values collaboration and actively contributes to a healthy team culture
• Displays emotional intelligence, relational maturity, and positive communication
• Inspires students through encouragement, mentorship, and authentic leadership
• Supports and advances the Mission and Statement of Faith of Orange Lutheran High School
• Active member of a Christian church; Missouri Synod preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands, handle instruments, feel objects, tools, or controls; communicate verbally and electronically; reach with hands and arms; stand and move throughout the building and/or to other facilities
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• The employee must be able to hear the conversation and musical pitch at normal levels with or without assistance

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The typical work environment is a climate-controlled school classroom.
• There is occasional extended exposure to an outdoor environment of varying climatic conditions
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, and occasionally be loud

This job description intends to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of positions given this title and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments to address the needs of the school and changing business practices. Specific job-related duties assigned by hiring departments shall be consistent with the representative essential functions listed above and shall not be construed as expanding a particular position's role, scope, and FLSA status, or grade.