Woodwind Instructor (Clarinet), Sistema Ravinia West Side

Company Description

At Ravinia, we believe in the transformative power of shared, live-music moments and their ability to inspire individuals, strengthen communities, and foster a more connected world.

Beyond presenting outstanding performances by the world’s greatest musicians, our mission as a not-for-profit organization is to develop broader, more diverse audiences and performers in the music industry with our Reach Teach Play® community engagement and education programs, our Steans Institute’s collaborative and experiential artistic training programs, and more. Together, Ravinia’s initiatives serve tens of thousands of students, families, and emerging professional musicians.

Our 36-acre park is home to North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival and its most artistically diverse. Over 100 different events, featuring a mix of classical, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country performers, make up a typical summer season across our open-air and indoor stages, including the annual residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Position Summary

A flagship Reach Teach Play program, Sistema Ravinia, emphasizes social development, community building, and musical excellence through intensive, after-school orchestral music education. Sistema Ravinia programming reaches over 300, 3rd-12th grade students in 15 Chicago and Lake County public schools utilizing an El Sistema-inspired model of daily ensemble based instruction. 

The Woodwind Instructor (Clarinet) leads woodwind area studio classes (flute, clarinet, or saxophone), teaches woodwind sectionals, and supervises students during all on site program activities for elementary and middle school aged children participating in the Sistema Ravinia West Side nucleo in Chicago.

The Woodwind Instructor (Clarinet) reports to the Program Manager, will receive direction and feedback from the Artistic Manager, and works with a team of instructors that are responsible for maintaining a standard of musical excellence and upholding the values and mission of Reach Teach Play. The ideal candidate will be an extraordinary teacher, artist, mentor, and model for Sistema Ravinia students and upholds the belief that every student can succeed in music with access to high quality music instruction and support from their instructor, family, and community.

This position is compensated at $50/hour for instruction time and $25/hour for non-instruction time.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead woodwind studio and woodwind sectional rehearsals for beginning and intermediate-level students in grades 4–8

• Teach repertoire and develop student technical facility and musicianship in alignment with the Sistema Ravinia curriculum and Artistic Manager's direction

•  Actively participate in instructor and conductor meetings, professional learning opportunities, and student/parent meetings as needed

• Assess student progress on an ongoing basis

• Facilitate and supervise all on-site activities, including snack time, restroom breaks, transitions, and dismissal

•  Work in partnership with Sistema Ravinia West Side administration to track and maintain student attendance records, supports, and interventions

• Cultivate a community environment that contributes to the well-being and agency of every student

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Strong knowledge of beginning and intermediate-level woodwind pedagogical practices

• Ability to build and maintain a rehearsal culture that sets high expectations while demonstrating warmth, care, and support for each student

• Ability to serve as a motivational mentor and positive role model for students

• Superior interpersonal skills needed to collaborate effectively with parents, students, administrators, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds

Education and Experience

• Strong background in music education with experience teaching beginning to intermediate string students in a group setting

• Strong classroom management skills

• Experience and desire to work with children and adults from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds

•  Bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education preferred) or equivalent professional experience

Success Factors

• High levels of student engagement, participation, and retention

• High quality student outcomes, growth, and development

• Representation of Ravinia’s mission and vision, positive collaboration with Ravinia Reach Teach Play administrators, teachers, and community 

Work Environment

• This position is housed at Catalyst Circle Rock located at 5608 W Washington Blvd. in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. The teaching schedule is: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 2:45-5:15pm and Wednesdays from 2:15-5:45pm.

• The school year runs from mid-September through mid-May; summer programming runs for three weeks in August.

• Interact professionally with young students, adult learners, parents, and administrators while ensuring that student safety and well-being remain the highest priority at all times.

• Travel to Ravinia (Highland Park, IL) is required occasionally for performances and field trips 

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to confidential resources that support mental health, well-being, and work-life balance.

• Chicago Paid Leave: Eligibility for paid time off in accordance with the City of Chicago’s Paid Leave Ordinance

• Chicago Sick Leave: Accrued sick leave in compliance with Chicago Sick Leave requirements, available for personal  illness or to care for eligible family members.

• Workers Comp Coverage: if you are hurt while working, workers compensation will cover the costs of injury and recovery. 

• Unemployment Benefits: Eligible to File for Unemployment

Ravinia is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, Ravinia strongly believes that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our success and we strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment for all our employees. Ravinia does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.