2025-2026 Music Theory I Instructor
2025-2026 Music Theory I Instructor
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Job Description
Job Details
Description
The Chicago High School for the Arts seeks a Music Theory I Instructor for the 2025-2026 school year.
Title: Music Theory I
Department: Music
Classification: Part-time instructor
General Summary:
The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts ) develops the next generation of artistically gifted diverse scholar artists through intensive pre-professional training in the arts combined with a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The school approaches the development of students through a whole-student approach and through a continuous learning environment for all staff to continuously develop their understanding of our scholar-artists. We strive to build upon and improve our practices to make sure we are always serving all of our students to the best of our abilities.
Position Overview:
This class is designed for freshmen music students to learn the fundamentals of music theory at the high school level. This foundational course provides students with the essential skills to understand the language of music. Exploring topics such as intervals notation rhythms scales keys chords and basic harmony this course supports freshmen in their understanding of music literacy.
Candidates for this course show strong musicianship skills classroom experience and hold a passion for breaking down music theory in an engaging way that resonates with our students.
By the end of the course students will strengthen their ability to:
- Identify key signatures in major keys
- Recognize notes in treble bass and alto clef.
- Identify intervals on the staff (major minor augmented diminished).
- Aurally identify intervals through ear training.
- Define music terminology.
- Perform rhythms in simple and compound meters.
- Read and write standard notation fluently.
- Construct major minor augmented and diminished triads.
- Perform and read basic rhythmic and melodic dictation.
- Apply theoretical knowledge to listening examples compositions and performance.
Qualifications
Classroom and professional duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Embrace and promote the ChiArts vision mission educational approach goals and core values
- Prepare structured lessons that encourage and foster skill development critical thinking applications and ethics.
- Instruct conservatory-level courses serving students with various learning styles abilities and needs.
- Employ outstanding classroom management skills and implement the school code of conduct.
- Regularly assess student achievement skill mastery and career development skills.
- Submit unit plans on a timely basis.
- Manage classroom administration and record keeping including grades attendance records student progress and documentation of student work.
- Regularly communicate with students parents and other ChiArts staff to share artistic progress encourage positive behavior and resolve behavioral and artistic issues.
- Attend and participate in faculty and administrative meetings parent conferences open house other school functions and in- service professional development sessions as needed.
- Collaborate with the staff to develop best practices tailored to the unique philosophy and instructional approach of ChiArts and to the needs of its student population.
- Collaborate with other ChiArts artistic and academic faculty and the larger arts community.
- Perform other duties as the needs of the school and needs of the students may demand (e.g. competitions exhibits.)
- Work with academic staff to ensure students overall success at ChiArts.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Attributes:
- Bachelors degree in Music Music Education or a related field.
- Preferred (7) years of professional experience in the music field.
- Preferred (4) years of previous teaching experience at a pre-professional or professional level experience working with high school students is preferred but not required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent classroom management skills.
- Experience in lesson planning.
- Comfort working in a high-accountability school culture.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proven organizational skills.
- Proven ability to work with a diverse population.
- High regard for student potential and an ability to provide opportunities for students to develop and succeed.
- Willingness to be bold and creative in pursuit of what is best for students.
- Able to adapt and improve in changing situations.
Working Conditions:
Job Hazards: This position requires a fingerprint and background check conducted by Chicago Public Schools.
Job Tasks: Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs.
Travel Requirements: This position does not require travel as part of the job responsibilities; however travel may be required to attend professional development/conferences.
Salary:
Part-time position.
Teaching rate: $55/hour
Non-Instructional Rate: $30/hour
Application Process
Qualified applicants should apply online at and upload the following documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Contact Information for 3-5 Professional References; do not include letters of recommendation.
Applicants who do not follow the submission directions will not be considered. Please be aware that every item listed on a resume is subject to verification and that any offer of employment is contingent on a successful background check.
The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) began its life as part of a quest for greater diversity among Chicagos arts and cultural institutions. ChiArts continues that quest by building holistic diversity at all levels including students faculty staff and board of directors. As part of that continuing quest ChiArts embraces and carries into effect the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance.
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Employment Type
Full-Time