Band Program Coordinator – Rachel Carson Elementary School

Merit School of Music seeks a part-time Band Program Coordinator to help manage the band program at Rachel Carson Elementary School, located at 5516 S. Maplewood Ave, Chicago, IL 60629. The program serves 100-110 students in grades 4-8, who receive band instruction three times a week after school, along with weekly private lessons and, for first-year students, weekly sectionals. The Band Program Coordinator is the first point of contact for communication between students, parents, and staff and faculty at Carson and Merit, coordinating lesson schedules, auditions, and other band events with school administration, supervising students during rehearsals and transportation, and supporting recruitment and the maintenance of instruments and supplies.

Reporting to the Band Program Director, the Coordinator works Monday through Saturday during the academic year (September-May) and Monday through Friday during select weeks in the summer (June-August). 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.

The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Must-Have Characteristics
• Spanish language skills are required to communicate effectively with Carson families
• Strong supervisory, organizational, and communication skills
• Punctual, professional, and collegial, with a flexible and adaptive disposition
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with faculty, colleagues, and school administrators
• Willingness to serve as an ambassador for Merit School of Music, representing the organization professionally in all settings and encouraging families and students to pursue their musical studies at the deepest levels
• A genuine commitment to Merit's mission and to dignity-centered communication with students, families, and colleagues

Preferred, But Not Required
• Experience working with school staff and administration to support programming
• Knowledge of school music programs

Responsibilities of the Band Program Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

Communication and Coordination — 45%
• Communicate with students, parents, and staff and faculty at Carson and Merit to share important information and updates regarding the Carson band program
• Coordinate private lesson schedules for students in collaboration with Merit faculty, Carson administration, and families
• Coordinate auditions and other band events with school administration

Supervision of Students — 30%
• Supervise students during band activities, including waiting for rehearsals and transitioning to private lessons
• Supervise students during bus transportation between Carson and Merit for Saturday programming and summer camp

Instrument, Supply, and Recruitment Support — 15%
• Assist with managing instrument and supply distribution
• Support recruitment and audition efforts for the band program

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.