Choir Instructor, Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School

Position Title: Choir Instructor

Department: Ravinia Lawndale family Music School

Reports To: Director of Performance Programs

Company Description

At Ravinia, we believe in the transformative power of shared, live-music moments and their ability to inspire individuals, strengthen communities, and foster a more connected world.

Beyond presenting outstanding performances by the world’s greatest musicians, our mission as a not-for-profit organization is to develop broader, more diverse audiences and performers in the music industry with our Reach Teach Play® community engagement and education programs, our Steans Institute’s collaborative and experiential artistic training programs, and more. Together, Ravinia’s initiatives serve tens of thousands of students, families, and emerging professional musicians.

Our 36-acre park is home to North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival and its most artistically diverse. Over 100 different events, featuring a mix of classical, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country performers, make up a typical summer season across our open-air and indoor stages, including the annual residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Position Summary

A long-standing Reach Teach Play program, the Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School provides opportunities for cultural enrichment and access to the arts for Lawndale's children, adults, and families. This tuition-free neighborhood music school runs during the school year and for 4 weeks in the summer, serving 150 community members of all ages through group instruction in guitar, piano, violin, trumpet, choir, and children’s preparatory classes. 

The Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School Choir Instructor leads weekly rehearsals for the Adult and Children’s Choirs, selecting repertoire and facilitating a rehearsal environment that inspires high quality and joyful music making. The ideal candidate upholds the belief that every student can succeed in music with access to high quality music instruction and support from their instructor, family, and community.

Key Responsibilities

• Select repertoire and lead rehearsals for the Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School Children’s Choir (1 hour rehearsal/week) and Adult Choir (1 hour rehearsal/ week)




• Design and submit a curriculum plan each term that will foster student development




• Showcase the Choirs in recitals and performances in the community




• Cultivate a community environment that contributes to the well-being of every student




• Help create and implement shared ideals, an innovative curriculum, and pedagogy that supports each student holistically and honors each student's voice and choice




• Active participation in faculty meetings, student/parent meetings and family field trips




• Assess student progress (musical literacy, proficiency and appreciation) on an ongoing basis

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students




• Superior interpersonal skills needed to collaborate with parents, students, administrators, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds




• Comfortable working in an independent work environment




• Strong piano skills




• Strong knowledge of vocal pedagogy and technique

Education and Experience

• Strong background in music education with experience teaching beginners - intermediate students and teaching in a group setting




• Experience and desire to work with children and adults from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds




• Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education preferred) or equivalent job experience

Success Factors

• High levels of student engagement, participation, and retention




• High quality student outcomes, growth, and development




• Representation of Ravinia’s mission and vision, positive collaboration with the RLFMS administrators, teachers, and community 

Work Environment

• The Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School choirs meet for two back to back hours each week at participating Lawndale park locations (Piotrowski Park, Homan Square Park, Douglass Park, and/or Franklin Park)




• The Choir Instructor must have consistent availability at the same day/time week over week; class schedule to be determined in partnership with the Director of Performance Programs 




• Interaction with young students, adult students, parents and administrators where the safety of the students is paramount




• Travel to Ravinia is required occasionally for recitals and field trips 

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to confidential resources that support mental health, well-being, and work-life balance.




• Chicago Paid Leave: Eligibility for paid time off in accordance with the City of Chicago’s Paid Leave Ordinance




• Chicago Sick Leave: Accrued sick leave in compliance with Chicago Sick Leave requirements, available for personal  illness or to care for eligible family members.




• Workers Comp Coverage: if you are hurt while working, workers compensation will cover the costs of injury and recovery. 




• Unemployment Benefits: Eligible to File for Unemployment

Ravinia is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, Ravinia strongly believes that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our success and we strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment for all our employees. Ravinia does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.