Position Overview:
The Band Director is responsible for the music education of all students at KIPP: Infinity MS. They work with both an instructional coach and directly with the Principal, who provides guidance and direction to provide a holistic music education for all students.
The Band Director is responsible for introductory music instruction as well as advanced music instruction for students who specialize in certain instruments. To support our music program, the Band Director also supports existing program partnerships with organizations like Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Manhattan School for Music, and The Juilliard School.
Duties and Responsibilities:
General responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
(1) Teach 8-10 week intro to music courses for lower school (Grade 5 and Grade 6) students four times per year
- Assign classwork, homework, quizzes, and tests to assess student growth and mastery
- Teach students to read and perform notes on treble clef and bass clef staff
- Teach students to identify, subdivide, clap, and perform basic rhythms, using a proven method (e.g. Kodaly or Orff)
- Teach students sight singing using a proven method
- Teach students to identify melodic diatonic intervals by ear and on a staff
(2) Teach a year-long advanced music class for upper school (Grade 7 and Grade 8) students
- Assign classwork, homework, quizzes, and tests to assess student growth and mastery
- Teach students to read and perform notes on a treble and bass clef staff, including up to three ledger lines above and below the staff
- Teach students to identify and perform accidentals
- Teach students to identify key signatures, and perform music in a range of key signatures.
- Teach students major and corresponding minor scales up to four sharps and four flats in the key signature.
- Teach students to identify, subdivide, clap, and perform rhythms including triplets, tied rhythms, and dotted rhythms
- Teach students chromatic melodic intervals by ear and on a staff
- Teach students rehearsal and performance skills etiquette, including how to follow a conductor, and how to follow a section leader
- Manage a sectional schedule for each group of instruments, including flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a variety of percussion instruments.
(3) Lead whole-school musical performances
- Develop and conduct at least three performances (minimum one per trimester) in either stand-alone performances or as past of existing shows (eg, The Winter Wonderland Show, Multicultural Show, 8th Grade Advancement, etc.)
(4) Continue collaboration with all external music partnerships and programs
- Hosting musicians for master classes
- Leading field trips to music performances
- Collaborating with music fellows who support on-site sectional instruction
(5) Other responsibilities as needed:
- Manage the inventory of instruments, including monitoring for necessary repairs and instrument replacements
- Manage a relationship with a repair technician to schedule repairs
- Maintain and develop a library of band exercises and arrangements
- Collaborate with and support other electives like Art, Technology, etc.
- Work with KIPP NYC music teachers and foster a collaborative work relationship
- Coordinate purchases and expenses with principal and DOO to manage a yearly Band budget