Ravinia, North America's oldest music festival, nestled in the Chicago suburbs, stands today as its most musically diverse, presenting over 140 different events throughout the summer. These concerts run the gamut from Yo-Yo Ma to John Legend to the annual summer residency of the nation's finest orchestra, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  Through its REACH*TEACH*PLAY education programs, Ravinia brings music to Chicago area schools and communities, thus providing equitable access to music for over 85,000 people in Cook and Lake counties.

Sistema Ravinia is a signature program of REACH*TEACH*PLAY which offers intensive afterschool music education to students in under-resourced schools in Chicago and Lake County.  Sistema Ravinia fosters youth empowerment and social development through exceptional ensemble training. Shaped by the philosophy of the noted El Sistema model, Ravinia has embraced the notion of transforming groups of children into communities of musicians who in turn transform their communities. Students receive mentorship from teachers and administrators that make them feel loved and valued as an asset to their nucleo community. Sistema Ravinia students meet daily throughout the year at their nucleos (program sites) and are taught in sectionals and in full orchestra.

This role is a part-time, hourly instructional employee position that averages 9-12 hours per week.  Sistema Ravinia programming runs throughout the school year and 3-5 weeks during the summer.

The low string instructor will teach students in small (cello studio) and large (low string sectionals) groups of elementary and middle school students participating in the Sistema Ravinia Circle Rock nucleo.  Located at Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School  and George Rogers Clark Elementary in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, the children in our program receive little to no music instruction outside of Sistema Ravinia.  Therefore, the administrators, conductor, and sectional instructors are responsible for providing a comprehensive music education program for our students.  This includes everything from basic musical concepts, sight-reading, and technique to instrument care, practice habits, and relating/building bonds with fellow orchestra members.  Sistema Ravinia uses a collaborative leadership approach that solicits input from instructors, students, artistic, and administrative leadership.  The low string (cello) instructor reports to the Site Manager and will be part of a team of instructors that will inspire all participating students and be responsible for maintaining a standard of excellence for Sistema Ravinia.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach low string sectionals and cello studios
• Assist with full orchestra rehearsals and large ensembles as needed (tuning instruments, reinforcing conductor instruction)
• Lead string ensemble rehearsals as needed with fellow instructors
• Foster student empowerment and focus on the holistic education of each child
• Engage students through the development of creative lesson plans that foster social and musical growth
• Collaborate with administrators and instructors to provide high-quality orchestral instruction for every student, ensuring student progress meets curricular benchmarks
• Active participation in faculty development sessions to help create and implement shared ideals, and innovative curriculum and pedagogy that supports each child holistically
• Assess student progress (social development, musical literacy, proficiency, appreciation) on an ongoing basis

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Enthusiasm for El Sistema and its philosophy of social change through music
• Interest and ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students, parents, and community
• Superior interpersonal skills

Education and Experience

• Strong background in music education with experience teaching beginners and teaching in a group setting
• Experience working with young children, youth orchestras, or in the El Sistema music education model
• Experience and desire to work with children from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds
• Bachelor’s degree in music education or performance a plus with 2-3 years related work experience preferred

Work Environment

• Working at Circle Rock and GR Clark schools in addition to concerts at Ravinia and around the Chicago-area
• Working after school three to four days per week with some evenings and weekends required for concerts and special activities (Hours: Monday – Thursday, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Circle Rock and GR Clark and Friday, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm at Circle Rock)
• Interaction with young students, parents and administrators where the safety of the students is paramount

Ravinia is an equal opportunity employer.