Ranney School seeks an experienced orchestra director to lead our award-winning elementary, middle, and high school orchestral ensembles beginning in late August 2026. This rare opportunity allows the director to guide students’ musical growth from their first notes in Grade 3 through their final performances in Grade 12. This is a full-time faculty position, and all orchestras meet as courses during the school day. The position also includes teaching high school music electives, facilitating one or two ensembles during the end-of-day activity period, and collaborating with the entire performing arts team—fueling a program that’s one of Ranney’s defining strengths.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold an advanced degree in music, music education, or a related field, and have experience teaching string students across the elementary, middle, and high school divisions.
• Demonstrate strong expertise in string and full orchestra repertoire, music theory, chamber music literature, and effective string pedagogy.
• Be passionate about educating elementary, middle, and high school students to relevant and high academic and performance standards.
• Embrace a growth mindset for both oneself and one’s students.
• Foster collegial, collaborative relationships with colleagues and kind, positive interactions with students and families.
• Bring a commitment to excellence in teaching and performance, with a clear vision for the continued growth and long-term strength of Ranney’s orchestra program.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the Upper School Orchestra (9–12), Middle School Orchestra (6–8), and Lower School Orchestra (3–5) within a cross-divisional performing arts curriculum. Each group performs at least two concerts a year; the Upper School Orchestra also performs for school events.
• Teach music electives in the Middle and Upper Schools. These courses may be adapted or reimagined in future years to reflect the teacher’s expertise and interests.
• Facilitate 1–2 Upper School ensembles during the end-of-day activities period. Current offerings include Chamber Orchestra and Electric Bow Fusion, and may be adapted to align with the teacher’s strengths. These groups perform at a mid-year Chamber Music Concert.
• Advise either the Middle School Junior Tri-M Chapter or the Upper School Tri-M Chapter
• Mentor students in advisory and co-curricular activities (such as sponsoring students in regional and state ensemble auditions, and organizing off-campus performances), participate in division and department meetings, and serve in various supervisory roles.

Developing strong relationships with students and colleagues is critical for one’s success at Ranney and for the school’s accomplishment of its mission.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $90,000 annually, commensurate with educational attainment and years of relevant experience.

Ranney School offers a robust benefits package to eligible full-time employees, including:

• Medical, HRA, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Employer-paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance
• A voluntary 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching contributions
• Partial tuition remission for eligible children and grandchildren
• Graduate tuition assistance and professional development grants
• Retention bonuses awarded at five-year milestones

To Apply:

Please submit an application dossier (cover letter, CV, statement of educational philosophy, and 3-5 professional references) compiled into a single PDF file to orchestra-hiring@ranneyschool.org.

The dossier must include:

• a cover letter specific to this position at Ranney,
• a CV/resume,
• a statement of educational philosophy, and
• a list of three to five professional references. We will notify you before contacting them.

Optional, but highly recommended:

• links to 2–4 videos of you teaching or conducting in rehearsal or performance

The subject line of the email should read “Ranney School Orchestra Director.” Please name the PDF file with the following format: “[Applicant Last Name] Ranney Orchestra.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

About Ranney School:

Ranney School is an Age 3 to Grade 12 independent school in Tinton Falls, NJ. We serve a diverse body of approximately 750 students from across Monmouth & Ocean Counties on the northern New Jersey shore. A secular, college-preparatory day school, Ranney is guided by a strong Board of Trustees, an experienced Head of School, Dr. John Griffith, and most notably, by a powerful mission: “To know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.” 

An equal opportunity employer, we foster a community that supports a spectrum of cultures, beliefs, and talents to promote the intellectual growth and moral development of all members of our community. We are committed to creating an environment that is affirming and inclusive. We are inspired by an awareness and appreciation for diversity, human dignity and interpersonal acceptance.

About Ranney School

Ranney School is an Age 3-Grade 12 independent, college preparatory school based in Tinton Falls, NJ. Our school serves a diverse body of approximately 770 students from across Monmouth & Ocean Counties on the northern New Jersey shore. A secular, college-preparatory day school, Ranney is guided by a strong Board of Trustees, an experienced Head of School, Dr. John Griffith, and most notably, by a powerful mission and vision. Our mission is “To know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.” We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to distinguish and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens. We continue to foster an inclusive community that supports a spectrum of cultures, beliefs and talents to promote the intellectual growth and moral development of all members of our community. We are inspired by an awareness and appreciation for diversity, human dignity and interpersonal acceptance.

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