Strings & Orchestra Program Manager

Merit School of Music seeks a full-time Strings & Orchestra Program Manager to serve as the organizational hub for one of Chicago's most vibrant youth strings and orchestra programs. Reporting to the Strings & Orchestra Program Director, this role provides the daily infrastructure that keeps hundreds of students, teaching artists, and families moving in sync across Merit's strings programming throughout the year.

The Strings & Orchestra Program Manager is the first point of contact for families, faculty, and staff on everything from class scheduling and instrument coordination to event logistics and ongoing communication. Day-to-day, that means ensuring students and teachers have the materials they need, keeping attendance records accurate and up to date, managing room reservations, and partnering with the Strings & Orchestra Program Director to plan and execute a full season of rehearsals, concerts, and performances.

A passion for upholding the dignity of everyone we interact with and for Merit’s mission to provide access to high-quality music education is a must.

Must-Have Characteristics
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent training and experience
• Adaptable and receptive to feedback; comfortable taking on clearly defined responsibilities, and contributing collaboratively as part of a team while completing work in a timely and accurate manner
• Skilled at distinguishing between urgency and importance, and comfortable adjusting as both shift

• Proactive and self-directed; takes initiative, works independently in a fast-paced environment, and asks for support when needed

• Organized and detail-oriented: nothing falls through the cracks, and successful candidates can speak to their systems and why they work

• Strong written and verbal communicator; responds to families, faculty, and colleagues in a timely, professional, and clear manner

• Flexible mindset: comfortable working independently and collaboratively. Willing to learn new skills and think creatively to support various projects.
• Committed to communicating with dignity and respect in all interactions with students, families, faculty, and staff

Preferred, But Not Required
• Musical background; experience as a string player is strongly preferred
• Spanish or Mandarin language skills; many Merit families connect with us primarily in one of these languages, and candidates with this ability will be better positioned to support direct communication with families

Responsibilities of the Strings & Orchestra Program Manager include, but are not limited to:

Class and Activity Scheduling – 35%
• Create and manage class offerings, room reservations, and faculty teaching schedules
• Monitor attendance records regularly and partner with the Strings & Orchestra Program Director to establish and maintain a culture of accuracy and accountability
• Support summer camp scheduling and logistics

Faculty and Family Communication – 25%
• Communicate program details, including classes, lessons, events, and concerts, to Merit strings families in a timely and professional manner
• Facilitate ongoing communication between families and strings faculty
• Respond to family and faculty inquiries, ensuring timely follow-up

Instrument and Supply Coordination – 15%
• In coordination with Merit's Librarian, ensure students and faculty have the instruments, sheet music, and supplies needed for programming

Event Planning and Support – 15%
• Support the planning and execution of concerts, performances, and student recruitment events
• Prepare stage diagrams, draft concert programs, and manage run-of-show logistics

Other Duties as Assigned – 10%

Merit School of Music is a nationally accredited community music school headquartered in Chicago's West Loop, with additional branches in Chicago’s Old Town and South Shore neighborhoods. Merit’s primary goals are to help young people transform their lives and experience personal growth through music by providing access to sustained participation. For more than 45 years, Merit has been home to a diverse community of talented young musicians and has served as a springboard for them to achieve their full musical and personal potential. Our 125+ passionate and experienced teaching artists provide access to high-quality music education, engaging between 2,500 and 3,000 students annually through programming at three branches and in 25+ schools and community centers across the Chicago region.

Merit students, who reflect Chicago's socioeconomic and ethnic diversity, 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 equips young people with the tools they need to excel in life; virtually 100 percent of Merit graduates attend conservatories or colleges, with 50 percent studying music at the postsecondary level.

Merit School of Music is committed to building a world where historically underrepresented groups can attain access to quality music education. Simultaneously, Merit endeavors to be an organization that genuinely reflects Chicago’s richly diverse community. Merit is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and anti-racist organization and continually examining our efforts in this area.