Club Orchestra Teaching Artist

Club Orchestra Teaching Artist 

The Fort Wayne Philharmonic Club Orchestras program, including Club Kid-O (Pre-K to grade 1) and Club O (grades 2-5) is part of El Sistema, a visionary world movement transforming the lives of children and their communities through music.  The mission of the program is to empower children by providing an intensive orchestra training program that teaches teamwork and self-confidence and instills social responsibility. 

The Club Orchestra program has the following open positions for the upcoming school year, which may be located at any one of our partner schools [Forest Park, Fairfield, and Waynedale Elementary Schools]:

• Club Kid-O Teaching Artist: Early Childhood Music Instruction (Pre-K)
  
  
  
  
  • Elementary/early childhood music education experience preferred. 
  
  
  • Teach beginning general music concepts using singing, movement, and playing instruments through a developed curriculum. 
  
  
  • Rehearsals begin September 15, 2026 and conclude May 13, 2027, except for school breaks. 
  
  
  • Weekly rehearsal schedule: two 30-minute sessions on Tuesday and Thursday during the school day, AM and PM Pre-K section times TBD. 
  
  
  
  

• Club Kid-O Teaching Artist: Early Childhood Music Instruction (K-1)
  
  
  
  
  • Elementary/early childhood music education experience preferred.
  
  
  • Teach general music concepts using singing, movement, and playing instruments, using a developed curriculum.
    
  
  
  • Rehearsals begin September 15, 2026and conclude May 13, 2027, except for school breaks. 
  
  
  • Weekly rehearsal schedule: Tuesday and Thursday, 3:15-5:00 p.m.
    
  
  
  
  

Responsibilities [for all positions]:
 

• Lead musical and instrumental instruction during scheduled rehearsal sessions at the school site, following curriculum, handbook procedures, and learning objectives provided by Club Orchestra. 


• Help supervise students during their entire time in Club Orchestra after-school program, including snacks, bathroom breaks, and parent pick-up(does not apply to Pre-K rehearsal sessions). 


• Work with Program Manager and other teaching staff to prepare curriculum and lesson plans for early childhood music instruction using materials provided. 


• Work with Program Manager and teaching staff to provide a safe, welcoming environment and follow school and program procedures in directing and supporting students. 


• Help with inventory organization and storage for early childhood instruments and teaching materials onsite. 
  


• Help lead student performances as scheduled during the year, including the Club Orchestra Celebration Concert on Thursday, May 13, 2027 at PFW Music Center. 


• Attend scheduled staff meetings before, during and after the program year.
  


• Arrive as scheduled before each rehearsal start time to ensure that self, materials, and teaching space are ready for students. 


• Use technology and materials as provided for music curriculum, record keeping, and communications with Program Manager, staff, and families as appropriate and necessary for teaching and program operations. 

Requirements:
 

• Experience and expertise in early childhood music education.  


• Experience and expertise in group instruction, experience in elementary school environment preferred 


• A love for working with young children and their families. 


• Excellent interpersonal skills and comfort working in a team.
  


• Passion for helping to develop an excellent program and deliver a positive experience for students and families. 
  


• Capacity to work flexibly and maintain a sense of calm, positivity, and humor.
  


• Ability to participate in planning and communication using email and Google Drive. 


• Ability to work with diverse students and stakeholders.
  


• Ability to always maintain the disposition of a professional educator.
  

Compensation 

• Engaged by a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) for a full season.
  


• Teaching Artist Positions are compensated as follows:
  
  
  
  
  • Rostered Philharmonic Musicians shall be compensated for full services at the per-service rate for Full Time Section Musicians and for one-half services at 50% of the per-service rate Full-Time Section Musicians as found in the Master Agreement. 
  
  
  • Musicians engaged from outside the Philharmonic Roster shall be compensated for full services at the per-service rate for Import/Extra Musicians and for one-half services at 50% of the per-service rate for Import/Extra Musicians as found in the Master Agreement.
    
  
  
  
  

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Club Orchestra Full Program Description

The Club Orchestra program, including Club O (grades 2-5) and Club Kid-O (Pre-K to grade 1), is part of El Sistema, a visionary world movement transforming the lives of children and their communities through music. 

The mission of the program is to empower children by providing an intensive orchestra training program that teaches teamwork and self-confidence and instills social responsibility. 

Club O 

Students will lay the musical groundwork to play in an orchestra and end the year with a performance with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. 

• Open to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students attending Forest Park, Fairfield, and Waynedale Elementary Schools. 


• Violins and music are provided.
  


• Students are expected to attend all rehearsals for the entire school year.
  

Club Kid-O 

Students will experience a variety of lessons that incorporate the use of pitch, rhythm, body movement, playing Orff mallet instruments like xylophones, glockenspiels, marimbas, and metallophones. In addition, the children will learn to sing and combine skills to perform throughout the year. 

• Open to Kindergarten and 1st Grade students attending Forest Park, Fairfield, and Waynedale Elementary Schools. 


• Pre-K classes occur during the school day for all students in their regular classroom.
  


• Students are expected to attend all rehearsals for the entire school year.
  

Learn to read music | Learn to play the violin | Perform in an ensemble | Teamwork - develop the joy of friendship and support | Learn discipline and achievement | Pursue excellence | Have fun!