Bassoon Teacher

Merit School of Music | Chicago, Illinois

Part-time Position Announcement:

Bassoon Teacher

Tuition-free Conservatory & Private Lessons

Position & Organization Overview

Merit School of Music seeks a bassoon teacher to teach one 45-minute group bassoon technique classes within our prestigious Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-free Conservatory. The Conservatory is in session on Saturdays until April 25 at the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center. The Conservatory Bassoon Teacher will also be eligible to teach within our Private Lesson Program. If the size of the Conservatory bassoon studio were to grow, the creation of additional 45-minute group technique classes may be possible. The position may also grow to include private lessons at school-site locations through the Merit Music in Communities program.

Merit School of Music is committed to building a world in which historically underrepresented groups can attain access to quality music education. Simultaneously, Merit is continually working towards becoming an organization that is truly reflective of the demographics of the city and the students we serve.

Reporting Relationship

The Bassoon Teacher reports to the Band Program Director.

Essential Duties

Responsibilities of the Bassoon Teacher include, but are not limited to:

• Education – approx. 90%

• Deliver music instruction commensurate with Merit’s curricula, teaching philosophy, mission and values in weekly classes
• Prepare Private Lesson students for annual recitals
• Complete student attendance during each class, lesson or rehearsal
• Be a stable presence for students through consistent preparation and attendance at scheduled lessons, rehearsals and classes

• General Faculty Expectations – approx. 10%

• Communicate with program director to determine individual student needs and goals
• Assist with concerts and other events as needed
• Act as ambassador on Merit’s behalf to recruit students into the bassoon studio
• Secure substitutes from Merit’s approved sub list for planned absences and/or communicate a need for assistance in a timely manner
• Work to retain a reasonable number of students (studio, ensemble) necessary for maintaining or improving program quality

Personal Skills, Attributes, & Qualifications

• Proven success teaching middle and high school bassoon students at an advanced level
• Strong classroom management skills
• Uphold Merit’s professional code of conduct – be punctual and timely, polite, responsive, collegial, and collaborative

• Be an ambassador for Merit School of Music by representing the organization professionally in all settings and by counseling families and students to pursue their musical studies at the deepest levels
• Flexible and adaptive disposition
• A high level of personal musicianship
• Bachelor’s degree in Music or equivalent experience

Schedule

• Conservatory bassoon classes meet Saturdays, until April 26, between 9:00am - 1:45pm.
• Private Lessons are scheduled one-on-one between student and instructor

Compensation & Benefits

• $49 per hour for group class teaching; $44 per hour for private lessons. Faculty compensation structure is set to follow a standardized pay scale based on tenure and number of hours worked in the given academic year.
• We offer a robust healthcare package** including medical (HMO and PPO options), dental (HMO and PPO), vision care, and long-term disability and voluntary life insurance coverage. Benefits eligibility is contingent upon number of teaching hours worked over a given year (780* teaching hours). 401(k) eligibility is determined by 500 teaching hours/1,000 administrative hours or a combination of both over the previous four quarters.

*Teaching hours follow a 2:1 ratio wherein a single teaching hour counts as 2 administrative hours for computing benefits eligibility.

**Further information on our benefits package and employee policies are available upon request.

Interested candidates should send resume to: hr@meritmusic.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists.

For more information about Merit School of Music, please visit contact the HR email listed above and www.meritmusic.org.

Merit School of Music is committed to enhancing the diversity of our musical community, recognizing that by providing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for our students, we are preparing them for personal and professional success in an increasingly multicultural and global society. The Merit community recognizes that it has a responsibility for creating and sustaining a learning and working environment where difference is valued, and where equity and inclusion are practiced.