First Music Department Chair

Company: Levine School of Music
Location: Washington
Posted on: May 27, 2025

Job Description:

Levine Music is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music. Levine's core values - excellence and opportunity - infuse everything we do. Our distinguished faculty offers a broad and well-rounded curriculum that provides a strong musical foundation for students of different ages, abilities, and interests. We strive to make Levine's education available to everyone. Hundreds of students receive substantial scholarship assistance; many hundreds more receive free instruction through fully funded in-school programs.The First Music Chair is a full-time position that provides leadership of Levine's early childhood music education program for children ages 4 months to 6 years and supervises the First Music faculty and administrative functions. This is a creative, highly interactive full-time position which involves teaching, training, curriculum development, overseeing daily and long-term operations, and being an integral resource for efforts in Partnerships and off-site programs. This position utilizes knowledge in early child development and curriculum development to support faculty, create curriculum, and oversee the overall development and growth of the First Music program. The First Music Chair advises parents on appropriate placement and transition of children and provides parent education.The general duties listed below reflect the responsibilities and competencies necessary to perform the job's essential roles. They should not be regarded as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. Levine Music may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the organization's needs.Curriculum and Program Development

• Working alongside seasoned faculty, evaluate and develop curricula for each class and session
• Develop and maintain templates for class materials and lesson plans
• Review lesson plans and help guide teachers in providing effective and engaging instruction
• Prepare and submit information for Levine course catalog as required
• Collaborating with other departments, create feeder-program connections and pathways
• Manage and arrange promotional activities including concerts, demos, open houses, outreach, and CDs.Faculty Management
  • Manage departmental faculty, including evaluations and observations
  • Provide complete teacher orientation packet and new teacher training/on-boarding
  • Hold departmental faculty meetings at least once per semesterParent Communication
    • Create a communication plan for families that provides class information to families and elicits feedback from parents.
    • Lead parent education efforts including a parent newsletter and the development of parent materials, handbook and teacher handoutsGeneral Administration
      • Update program schedules and room assignments
      • Develop and manage the department budget
      • Oversee supplies and instrument inventory.
      • Serve as a member of the Faculty Council by attending meetings and performing additional duties as assignedTeaching
        • Maintain a teaching load of at least 15 hrs per week. As instructors, Faculty Chairs are expected to meet the standards required of all Levine faculty.QualificationsA BM in Performance, Education or Early Childhood Development required, MM in Education or equivalent teaching experience with children of all ages is preferred. Applicants should possess a love of music, teaching, and children as well as the desire to nurture and shape the lives of young musicians.Benefits Package
          • 403(b) Retirement Plan
          • 403(b) Employer Match
          • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
          • Flexible spending account
          • Health, dental and vision insurance
          • Disability and Life insurance
          • Paid time offApplicants for this position should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references via email to:A. Maria Williams
            Senior Director of Human Resources and Culture
            Levine Music
            2801 Upton Street, NW
            Washington, DC 20008
            hrinstructor@levinemusic.orgLevine Music is an Equal Opportunity EmployerLevine Music's employment policy is committed to anti-discrimination of employees or applicants based on sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law concerning any employment practices.
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Keywords: Levine School of Music, Wilmington , First Music Department Chair, Other , Washington, Delaware