OPEN CALL for a Musician-In-Residence for 2018-2019

Stonebrook Montessori, a public charter Montessori school in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, will embed a teaching musician into the life of the school for a year-long (108 days) residency for the 2018-2019 school year pending a grant award in July 2018. The musician will work collaboratively throughout the school year with the school’s teaching and administrative staff to integrate music exploration and instruction for up to 218 children, pre-K through fifth grade, ages 3 through 11, in multi-age Montessori classrooms.

We seek a musician who is able to develop experiential and developmentally appropriate musical experiences for all children. Music therapy background is desired, but not required. For the primary classrooms (ages 3-6), the emphasis will be on sensory and motor activities associated with music such as singing, moving, and playing simple instruments (bells, metallophone). For the elementary classrooms (ages 6-11), instruction will expand in sophistication and scope to include instrumental instruction and elements of music theory. All levels will connect music with learning in language, math, social studies, and social-emotional growth. Children will learn one-on-one, in small groups and in larger groups, both in the classroom setting and the music room.

The musician will work under the direction of Principal Jacqui Miller and primarily with Stonebrook’s Montessori trained teachers in their individual classrooms as well as in the music room. The music room is equipped with a new Boston upright piano and a full range of Montessori music materials including Montessori grading bells and tone bars, Orff instruments, and hand-held percussive instruments. The expectation is for the musician to be on-site for the equivalent of three days a week (8:30am-3:30pm) for 36 weeks. Specific days and times to be mutually decided.

The musician will also engage families through their children’s in-school music activities. The musician, together with the teachers, will create materials that enable families to learn at home. The musician, in collaboration with the teachers and administrators, will help organize children’s performances for their classmates, teachers, families, and surrounding community in informal and formal settings.

Stonebrook Montessori is the first public community (charter) school in Ohio that provides free, high quality, Montessori education to children beginning at age 3. Stonebrook’s mission is to serve the individual needs of Cleveland’s urban children from birth through age 15, in Montessori environments that meet the highest standards, and through regular interactions with nature, the neighborhood and each other. Stonebrook’s charter is monitored by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). 2018-2019 will be Stonebrook Montessori’s fourth year in operation. As this residency is grant-funded, no contracts can be signed until the grant has been awarded in late July 2018.

Minimum Qualifications:

2-3 years experience teaching music to children, ages 3-11

A growth mindset and ability to use feedback to create and refine practice

Successful experience working in a collaborative environment

Desired Qualifications:

Montessori training

Music therapy training

Experience working with diverse communities

Application Submission:

Download the Cover Sheet and Application Form here.
Complete the Cover Sheet and Application Form. Save as “lastname-app.pdf”
(last name = YOUR last name).

Send the Cover Sheet and Application Form, support materials, and CV:
To: diroperations@stonebrookmontessori.org

Subject: Residency Application – YOUR NAME

The application deadline is Thursday, July 12, 2018, 5pm. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Applications will initially receive an automatic reply when the email has been received. If you do not receive an automatic reply, your email was not received.

A complete application includes:

Stonebrook Montessori Musician-In-Residence Cover Sheet
A written statement (500 word maximum) about 1) why you would like to be a teaching musician-in-residence at Stonebrook Montessori (include information about your background and interest in/knowledge of Montessori) and 2) your ability and commitment to working with Stonebrook Montessori for the full residency.
Examples of effective teaching practice via a YouTube or Vimeo link to a video (include any necessary passwords to access), 3-5 images, or other relevant materials.
A one-page CV in pdf format with your most relevant teaching and performance experience. Save as “lastname-CV.pdf” (last name = YOUR last name).

Application Evaluation:

A small, 4-6 person committee of teachers, administrative staff, and a parents will review the applications and rank their selections. The top 2-3 candidates will be interviewed and requested to provide 2 references from other teaching positions you have held. The committee will then make a final selection by July 31, 2018 and notify applicants via email. Please do not call or email to follow up.

Final Details:

Once a candidate has been selected, the candidate will need to obtain a background check in order to work in a school environment with children. Once grant award has been announced, Stonebrook will provide information about where to get a background check and will reimburse the expense. After the background check has been completed, a contract can be signed. We anticipate that the Musician-In-Residence will be able to start September 10, 2018.