Career Center

The mission of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation is changing lives through the transformative power of art.

The Idyllwild Arts Academy provides pre-professional training in the arts and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum to a diverse student body of gifted young artists from all over the world. It is a boarding Arts high school.

The Idyllwild Arts Summer Program provides arts instruction and experiences of the highest caliber to a diverse student population of all ages and abilities.

Idyllwild is a small town located at over 5,000 feet on the western slopes of California's San Jacinto Mountains. Even though it seems far from the hustle and bustle of city life, the town and campus frequently have hosted music festivals, prominent speakers and artists, and community events. Also, it is only two hours by car to Los Angeles and San Diego.

OPPORTUNITY: Music Department Chair

LOCATION: Idyllwild, CA 92549

REPORTS TO: Assistant Head of School

STATUS: Full Time/Exempt

SUPERVISES: Department Faculty for Academy, and Summer Music Department Program Directors

START DATE: August 15, 2022 preferred

Idyllwild Arts Academy welcomes an experienced Music Department faculty member to teach a variety of subjects and provide leadership and development opportunities for the Music Department. This is a unique opportunity to join an international boarding high school community that focuses on pre-professional training for young artists while at the same time emphasizing the importance of Academics, and the global citizen artist. We are seeking an educator who will embrace and support the Arts, and appreciate the unique environment of Idyllwild, the Academy, the Summer Program, and its diverse and talented students and faculty.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Music Department Chair position is a full-time exempt position which reports to the Assistant Head of School. The Music Department Chair should have experience teaching a variety of subjects in the field of music, either generalized or specific to one area of concentration, a thorough knowledge of entrepreneurial skills needed to promote one's own music and artistic endeavors, experience living in a boarding community or experience with leading, instructing, and working with youths, and life experiences in travel, living and/or teaching abroad. The Music Department Chair will have many administrative tasks, and oversees programs, faculty, and students in multiple genres of Music. As of Spring 2022, we have students majoring in either Classical Piano/Instruments/Voice, Jazz Instruments, or Songwriting, and additional courses and training in Music Technology, as well as core Music courses in Theory, History, Performance, Ensembles, and Private Lessons.

Job Description

Teaching

The areas of responsibility may include:

• Classroom teaching and hours per week will be determined with the Assistant Head of School and incumbent.
• Teach courses in area of specialty, such as composition or private lessons on specific instrument, in addition to potential teaching or co-teaching performance class, various levels of theory and/or music history.
• Oversee the advisement of Music students in all phases of performance and audition preparation.
• Oversee, develop, and adjust curriculum within the department, with awareness of current trends both in education and in the field of Music.

Administrative Duties/Requirements

The areas of responsibility may include:

• Supervise, evaluate, and recruit qualified Music faculty (including private teachers) for the wide variety of opportunities throughout the Music Department.
• Work closely with Admissions on recruiting students for the program, and support faculty recruitment of students, both domestic and international. This includes some work over summer months, and may include occasional work during other Academy breaks.
• Assist students in college preparation and selection process.
• Maintain departmental curriculum guide and handbook.
• Communicate regularly with departmental students and families, including those who have been recently accepted.
• Attend faculty, department and leadership meetings. Lead department meetings (biweekly).
• Work some late nights and weekends as needed when projects are in production.
• Advise a general core group of Academy students.
• Assist with other administrative duties as needed, by Assistant Head of School, Head of School, or President.

Required Qualifications

• M.M. or M.Mus. minimum (or 7 or more years of relevant work experience in the music industry). D.M.A., D.M., D.Mus.A. or A.Mus.D. preferred, with relevant teaching experience.
• Teaching or instruction experience within a collegiate and/or high school institution.
• Arts management and/or personnel management experience.
• High level of organizational skills and outstanding professional communication skills.
• Fluency in multiple styles and genres of music.

Personal Qualities

• Acts as a model of integrity.
• Respects confidentiality.
• Has a sense of humor and keeps things in perspective.
• Exercises patience and good listening skills.
• Flexible and has the ability to work under pressure.
• Maintains a positive attitude.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Ability and desire to work within the Idyllwild community, Riverside County, or commute a reasonable distance, that does not impede on-time arrival during winter months.

Obtain and maintain a valid California Driver License, pass a criminal history background check as required by California Education Code Section 44237, and pass a TB test.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• While performing the duties of this position an incumbent is required to regularly remain sedentary for long periods of time in meetings and while processing information and paper work both manually and on a computer.

• Specific vision abilities include close, distance and color vision perception and the ability to adjust eye focus.
• Reaching with the hands and arms and use of hands to finger, type, and manipulate a computer keyboard and mouse is required.
• The incumbent must be able to converse in clear English both written and orally, over a telephone and in person, and be able to make public presentations.
• Occasionally, incumbent may be required to lift 25 or more pounds, traverse uneven terrain and climb stairs while moving about campus; bend and stoop, conduct tours and show visitors our campus facilities.
• They may need to provide their own transportation for local and remote events.
• Work hours vary and may include days, nights, and weekends.

Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Idyllwild Arts Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

TO APPLY: Include resume/CV (pdf or word doc only) and cover letter, specifying soonest start date available (either August 15, 2022, or later), and personal teaching philosophy. No phone calls please. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly for interviews. The Search Committee will begin reviewing applicants May 9, 2022. Position open until filled.