Middle and Upper School Music Director

Position: Interim Middle and Upper School Instrumental Music Director Reports to: Upper School Director Supervises: N/A Additional Terms: Exempt, 10-month faculty position, occasional travel and ability to drive required for attendance at community events, professional development and the occasional chaperoning of student activities.
Charles Wright Academy (CWA) is a co-educational, non-religious, independent school located in University Place, WA.
Charles Wright Academy is located on a beautiful, green, and sprawling 107-acre campus that includes athletic fields and more than 60 acres of gorgeous Pacific Northwest forests that also serve as an extension of our proper academic campus.
Our educational philosophy of experiential learning includes unique daily opportunities for wilderness exploration, hiking, birding, wildlife observations, gardening, nature habitat sketch subjects for art studies, local biological science exploration, conservation work, farming, and more.
The only completely co-educational, independent, and non-religious school serving students in preschool through grade 12 in the South Sound area, CWA provides a challenging and nurturing environment with college preparatory academics and robust programming that prepare students to thrive and successfully launch into college and beyond.
A wide array of experiential education, artistic, athletic, travel, and service opportunities promote students’ social-emotional development and provide students avenues to discover and pursue their passions.
A culture that values self-expression, appropriate autonomy, and exploration of their authentic selves, students are nurtured, encouraged, mentored, and supported by a highly qualified and experienced faculty that share collective institutional values and provide engaging, active, and joyful experiences for students each day.
Charles Wright Mission Statement To inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging our students to develop the character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence.
Position Description The Middle and upper School Instrumental Music Director plans and provides artistic vision and developmentally appropriate, sequential skill-building instruction and experiences for middle and upper school students including programming and relevant pedagogy.
A full-time teaching load for this role is the equivalent of four yearlong classes that include or culminate in prepared public performances, a major extra duty or activity (TBD), an advisory group, and supervision coverage as assigned.
The Middle and Upper School Instrumental Music Director is expected to successfully collaborate with their Department Chair to design and implement the curriculum and to collaborate with grade level teams and Division Directors to support the academic as well as the social and emotional growth of the students within their care.
All educators at Charles Wright Academy are expected to use a variety of instructional methods to create dynamic, engaging lessons and performances, which support the diversity of learners within the classroom.
As CWA is developing Project Based Learning (PBL) methods and strategies in all disciplines, educators are expected to design and implement project-based learning (PBL) units, with appropriate coaching and support.
Additional Responsibilities In addition to those responsibilities covered in the Position Description, the Middle and Upper School Instrumental Director will: Impart enthusiasm for learning and inspire students to participate fully in the learning process.
Foster student growth of moral character.
Provide and maintain a stimulating, safe classroom environment built on mutual respect.
Practice respectful and effective classroom management techniques, which support active learning and promote responsibility.
Collaborate effectively with parents and guardians.
Attend all assigned faculty and community meetings, professional development opportunities, and other events required by the school.
Participate fully in the life of the school, including some overnight camping, field trips, and grade-level trips.
Exercise exceptional communication skills, written and verbal.
Serve as a strong supporter for diversity and inclusion and be a constant champion for student belonging.
Maintain confidential information as appropriate.
Ability to keep teaching and professional spaces clean and organized.
Care and concern for equipment and supplies.
Take on other duties with enthusiasm as assigned by their Division Director or the Head of School Qualifications Candidates will possess appropriate expertise and experience for an applicant able to perform the duties as outlined in this posting and deliver consistent and excellent outcomes.
Qualified candidates will have experience leading and conducting successful middle.
and/or high school Instrumental programs, including band and orchestra.
The ideal candidate has a history of directing successful performances in a variety of musical genres, a successful record of developing skilled and cohesive ensembles as well as fostering individual understanding of and skill in appropriate pedagogical techniques.
A record of leadership and collaboration amongst colleagues in all parts of the school is desired.
Successful candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in music; master’s degree preferred.
Demonstrated effective teaching and directing experience with middle and/or high school students.
Candidate must have a passion for the performing arts and music and the ability to create interesting, engaging lessons and performances.
Candidates should have ample.
performance production experience.
Qualified candidates will possess a strong commitment to experiential education, serve as a champion of diversity and inclusion and cultural competency, possess the ability to inspire and challenge young people, the capacity to work cooperatively with peers, a keenness for working with school-aged children, a strong work ethic, and a joyful sense of humor.
Candidates should be able to work flexibly with various educational technologies and an ability to navigate Google Workspace and Mac hardware/systems is preferred.
Physical Requirements Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
Must be able to move easily around a classroom, accessing materials and assisting students as needed.
Must be able to communicate and exchange information with students, other teachers, and families with appropriately sensitive and accurate communication skills.
Must be able to serve as a driver for occasional field trips.
Salary & Benefits This position has a salary range between $60,000 and $80,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
Benefits available are subject to plan and candidate eligibility.
Insurance: Medical, Vision, Dental; Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long-Term Disability; Health Care FSA; and Dependent Care FSA may be available to employees, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.
Retirement Plan: CWA offers an employer and employee contributed 403(b) plan, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.
Paid Sick Leave: Employees receive 116 hours of paid sick/wellness leave per year.
Personal Leave: Employees will receive 3 days of personal leave per year.
Paid Holidays: CWA offers 12 paid holidays per year.
Other Benefits: EAP (Employee Assistance Program), Tuition Assistance for employees seeking advanced degrees, Professional Development opportunities, Child Tuition Remission of 50% for those choosing to enroll eligible students at CWA.
Application Process To apply, submit a cover letter addressing why you feel you are the right fit for this role at Charles Wright Academy and how that aligns with both our Mission and Inclusion Statements (both included in this posting).
Please provide an updated resume, and email and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references (which must include your most recent supervisor) via ADP where this posting occurs.
Applications for this position will be accepted until filled.
No phone calls or inquiries, please.
Inclusion Statement Charles Wright Academy best exemplifies its mission and values when everyone knows they belong in our school community.
We embrace an intentional culture that champions everyone’s full participation as their authentic selves in all the opportunities that comprise the Charles Wright experience.
This includes supporting each community member’s understanding of their own identities and acceptance of the identities of others.
By doing so, we empower everyone at Charles Wright to connect, learn, grow, and achieve.
The inclusive culture we strive for requires us to make both institutional and individual commitments.
Institutionally, we will align policies, curriculum, and decision-making to this goal, and we commit to ongoing self-examination, learning, and action.
We also encourage and support individuals to initiate and engage in candid, courageous conversations as this work are the responsibility of every member of our community.
(adopted by the CWA Board of Trustees, March 2020)