Description

Merit School of Music seeks a trumpet instructor to join our faculty in January 2027. The role has three parts: teaching group technique classes in the Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-Free Conservatory (TFC), providing individual lessons through our Merit Music in Communities program at Rachel Carson Elementary School, and building a private lesson studio at Merit’s Joy Faith Knapp Music Center in Chicago’s West Loop.

The Conservatory provides advanced training to Chicagoland’s most promising and dedicated young musicians. Students in grades 6 through 12 range from intermediate to highly advanced players, many preparing for collegiate and conservatory-level study. The instructor will lead three group technique classes on Saturday mornings for the remainder of the TFC year, helping students develop the tone, technique, and musical foundation they need to grow as trumpeters.

Through Merit Music in Communities, the instructor will teach weekly 30-minute individual lessons during the school day to 13 trumpet students in the Rachel Carson Elementary School band program. Students are in grades 4 through 8 and span a range of skill levels.

Organization Overview

Merit School of Music is a community music school in Chicago’s West Loop. Its primary goals are to help young people transform their lives and grow through music by providing access to sustained participation. For over 40 years, Merit has been home to a diverse community of talented young musicians and has acted as a springboard for achieving full musical and personal potential. 125 passionate and experienced teaching artists provide access to high-quality music education, engaging over 3,000 students annually at the downtown location and in area schools and community centers.

Merit’s students, who reflect Chicago’s socioeconomic and ethnic diversity, have the rare opportunity to learn together, dream together, teach each other, and broaden their horizons as they build inspiring lives through music. Merit develops musicians and provides young people with the tools they need to excel in life, with virtually 100 percent of our graduates going on to conservatories or college.

Merit School of Music is committed to building a world where historically underrepresented groups can access quality music education. At the same time, Merit continually works toward becoming an organization that truly reflects the city’s demographics and the students we serve. Merit is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and anti-racist organization and continually examining our efforts in this area.

Reporting Relationship

The Trumpet Instructor reports to the Band Program Director.

Essential Duties

Responsibilities of the Trumpet Instructor include, but are not limited to:

Teaching and Instruction (85%)

• Lead three weekly group technique classes for TFC students on Saturday mornings, focusing on tone, technique, and musical fundamentals

• Teach weekly 30-minute individual lessons to trumpet students at Rachel Carson Elementary School during the school day

• Teach private lessons on-site at Merit, tailoring instruction to each student’s level and goals

• Host studio recitals for private lesson students

Administrative Duties (15%)

• Record attendance for all classes and lessons

• Coordinate with Program and Student Services staff on private lesson studio enrollment and scheduling

• Work with Rachel Carson band directors to understand individual student needs and goals

• Provide Merit staff with student assessments and recommendations for additional Merit programming

• Recruit students to the private lesson studio and other Merit classes and programs

• Attend Merit faculty and department meetings

• Other projects as assigned

Skills and Qualifications

Must-haves

• Proven success teaching trumpet to students across a wide range of ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced pre-college players

• Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent experience and training

• A high level of personal musicianship

• Strong classroom management skills

• Availability on Saturday mornings and during the school day on weekdays

• Clear, responsive communication and a collaborative approach with faculty, staff, school partners, and families

• Punctual, professional, and adaptable

• Demonstrated commitment to dignity in all interactions

• Ability to travel by car or public transportation to Rachel Carson Elementary School and other off-site locations as needed

• Successful completion of a fingerprint background check through Accurate Biometrics prior to start

Preferred

• Spanish language skills

• Experience teaching in school-based or community music programs

• Experience working with staff and administration to support programming

Schedule

• Tuition-Free Conservatory: Three 45-minute group technique classes on Saturday mornings between 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. at Merit’s Joy Faith Knapp Music Center (38 S. Peoria St., Chicago, IL 60607). The Conservatory runs September through April; for this position, classes begin in January 2027.

• Rachel Carson Elementary School: Individual lessons take place at Rachel Carson Elementary School (5516 S. Maplewood Ave., Chicago, IL 60629) and are currently scheduled on Wednesdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The schedule is flexible and can be built around the instructor’s availability on any school day. If enrollment grows, lessons may need to be spread across two days.

• Private lesson studio at Merit: Lessons are scheduled based on instructor and student availability and are subject to room availability. All private lessons must be taught on-site at the Knapp Center during building hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Sunday lessons require pre-approval).

• Summer: The instructor will also have the opportunity to lead a one-week trumpet intensive camp, typically in late June.

Compensation and Benefits

• Faculty are paid hourly. Base rates range from $40 to $80 per hour for private lessons and are set using Merit’s faculty pay scale, which considers years of experience, education, studio size, recruitment and retention skills, and established success as a teacher.

• Group classes are paid at the base rate plus $2.00 per hour.

• Large ensembles are paid 1.5 times the group class rate.

• Faculty teaching off-site are reimbursed for mileage, calculated from Merit’s main campus, regardless of how they travel.

• Faculty accrue paid leave in accordance with the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance.

• Faculty who teach 780 or more hours annually qualify for Merit’s insurance benefits.

• Faculty become eligible for Merit’s 401(k) plan after one year of employment with at least 500 annual teaching hours.

Working at Merit

We want Merit’s faculty and staff to reflect the students and families we serve. People of color, trans and gender nonconforming people, and women are encouraged to apply, as is anyone whose background and experience would add something new to our community. To learn more about Merit, visit www.meritmusic.org.

Merit School of Music is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact hr@meritmusic.org.