Percussion Instructor
Description
Merit School of Music seeks a talented and dedicated Percussion Instructor to teach group classes and private lessons across three of Merit’s core programs: the Instrumental & Vocal Music (IVM) program, the Private Lesson program, and the Merit Music in Communities (MMIC) program.
The instructor will teach a beginning percussion group class on Saturday mornings from September to May at Merit’s West Loop campus. They will also teach private lessons to students ages 9 and up throughout the year, with flexible scheduling based on teacher and student availability.
As part of the MMIC program, the instructor will travel weekly to Crete-Monee High School to provide 25-minute private lessons to 6–10 students each week from October through May. Lessons take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays during school hours in coordination with the school’s band director and administrative team.
Group classes and on-site lessons will be held at the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center (38 S. Peoria St., Chicago, IL 60607). Merit reimburses mileage costs for off-site teaching assignments in addition to standard teaching compensation.
Organization Overview
Merit School of Music is a community music school in Chicago's West Loop. Its primary goals are to help young people transform their lives and experience personal growth through music by providing access to sustained participation. For over 40 years, Merit has been home to a diverse community of talented young musicians, serving as a springboard for achieving their full musical and personal potential. 125 passionate and experienced teaching artists provide access to high-quality music education, engaging over 3,000 students annually at the downtown location and in area schools and community centers.
Merit's students, who reflect the socioeconomic and ethnic diversity of Chicago, have the rare opportunity to learn together, dream together, teach each other, and broaden their horizons as they build inspiring lives through music. Merit develops musicians and provides young people with the tools they need to excel in life, with virtually 100 percent of our graduates going on to conservatories or college.
Merit School of Music is dedicated to creating a world where historically underrepresented groups can access high-quality music education. Simultaneously, Merit is continually working towards becoming an organization that truly reflects the city's demographics and the students we serve. Merit is committed to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and anti-racist organization, continually examining our efforts in this area.
Reporting Relationship
The Percussion Instructor reports to the Band Program Director.
Essential Duties
Responsibilities of the Percussion Instructor include, but are not limited to:
Teaching and Instruction – 85%
• Deliver engaging, high-quality instruction to students in weekly private lessons and/or group classes
• Host studio recitals for private lesson students at Merit’s main campus
Administrative Duties – 15%
• Track and report student attendance
• Coordinate lesson schedules and student goals in collaboration with the Band Program Director and school administrators
• Participate in faculty and department meetings as requested
• Provide student assessments and recommendations for additional Merit programming
• Support recruitment efforts by encouraging student enrollment in private lessons and Merit classes
• Contribute to additional projects as assigned
Skills and Qualifications
Must-have characteristics:
• Demonstrated success teaching percussion to students of varying levels, from beginner through advanced
• Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent experience/training
• High level of personal musicianship
• Strong classroom and lesson management skills
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills; able to work effectively with faculty, colleagues, and administrators
• Professionalism in all settings—punctual, collegial, responsive, and reliable
• Flexible and adaptive disposition
• Ability to serve as an ambassador for Merit by supporting families and students in their long-term musical growth
• Demonstrated commitment to dignity in all interactions
• Reliable transportation to off-site lesson and class locations
Preferred
• Experience partnering with school staff and administrators to support music programming
Schedule
• Beginning Percussion Class
Saturdays from 9:30–10:25 AM, September through May, held at Merit’s Joy Faith Knapp Music Center
• On-Site Private Lessons at Merit
Year-round, scheduled based on student and teacher availability during Merit’s building hours.
• Private Lessons at Crete-Monee High School
October through May, scheduled in coordination with the school’s band director and administration. Lessons may be scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM. All lessons take place at Crete-Monee High School (1515 W. Exchange St., Crete, IL 60417).
Compensation and Application
• Hourly base rates are calculated using a proprietary method that considers years of experience, recruitment/retention skills, studio size, education, and established success as a teacher.
• Base rates range from $40 to $80 per hour for private lessons, with an additional $2.00 per hour added to the base rate for group classes.
• Large ensembles pay 1.5x the group class rate.
• Off-site faculty are reimbursed for mileage as calculated from Merit's main campus
• Full-time faculty (780 annual teaching hours) qualify for insurance benefits. 401K eligibility begins at 500 annual teaching hours after one year of employment.
To apply, please upload your resume detailing your relevant experience and qualifications for this role using this link. Applications will be accepted through August 17, 2025. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials via email, with interviews provided to finalists.
ALAANA/BIPOC people, trans and gender nonconforming people, and women are encouraged to apply.
For more information about the Merit School of Music, please visit 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.
