24-25 Director of El Sistema - Somerville

The El Sistema After School Program is a partnership with Somerville Public Schools Music Department and supported by the City of Somerville, grants, and individual and corporate donors.

Job Goal:  Provide exceptional instrumental and orchestral education in order to promote character development, positive citizenship and increased academic achievement. Applicants should have extensive experience with El Sistema and/or other intensive music instruction models, embrace and be committed to the East Somerville community, and ensure that the program celebrates the rich local culture. The director will be expected to demonstrate belief in the capacity of an El Sistema program to affect social change. The El Sistema Director will be responsible for the overall program management of the music program assuring close coordination between all music classes and ensembles, the Somerville Public School Music Department and the East Somerville Community School.

Qualifications:

• Four year undergraduate degree required, post-graduate degree in music education recommended
• Massachusetts Music Educator’s License preferred
• Previous administrative experience
• Previous experience supervising faculty
• Demonstrated excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher and performer
• Strong commitment to El Sistema’s philosophy of social change through music
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Computer skills including Google and Microsoft Office Applications, music notation software, and Quickbooks experience preferred
• Experience in working with children from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds
• Ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students, parents and faculty
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is recommended

Responsibilities:

• Oversee curriculum development for the program
• Evaluate all El Sistema staff and teaching artists
• Implement and maintain the use of demonstrated best practices, cultivate core values, ensure that instruction reflects the standards of El Sistema
• Supervise, develop and distribute the schedules of all staff including the Administrative Assistant, music teachers, homework tutors, and volunteers
• Student recruitment and appropriate placement of students from grades 5-8 according to skill level
• Coordinate with ESCS Administration and establish regular communication
• Attend School Year Orientation and onsite weekly meetings with afterschool program leaders and ESCS Administration
• Manage student behavior and safety protocols that are consistent with East Somerville Community School policies.
• Coordinate and secure appropriate rehearsal and concert facilities in the school building and surrounding community
• Design and publicize concert programs
• Seek out opportunities for El Sistema ensembles to perform in Somerville and surrounding communities
• Maintain relationships with instrument dealers including Johnson Strings and Needham Music
• Maintain relationships with parents, community leaders, and Somerville Public Schools to recruit and retain students and manage appropriate growth of the program
• Develop and maintain relationships with El Sistema partners and community stakeholders for program sustainment and growth
• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan which will target foundations, major gifts, and a nation-wide campaign of individual support
• Grant procurement and grant facilitation as well as necessary reports
• Recruit, interview and hire candidates for music teaching artist positions and homework tutors
• Promote El Sistema Somerville on social media: Facebook and SPS website
• Work collaboratively with daytime strings teachers at ESCS and facilitate student participation in strings and band classes.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Music for Somerville Public Schools to ensure program goals are being realized.
• Coordinate schedules and room assignments for all teachers and students on a weekly basis
• Concert planning and preparation including: Publicity and promotion of 3 annual concerts (video, Facebook and SPS website), creating dress rehearsal schedules for all ensembles, coordinating and implementing technical support (lighting, sound, video projection) in collaboration with technical support staff at ESCS.
• Regularly update SPS website
• Maintain and update instrument inventory
• Maintain inventory of needed supplies and establish a system tracking instrument/equipment needs and repairs. Assure timely requests for orders in order to meet program requirements and annual schedule.
• Effectively communicate progress of program with all stakeholders

Position Reports to:  The K- 12 Supervisor of Music

Terms of Employment:

Start Date: April 2025

Schedule: 190 work days (July - June) - Schedule set by the Supervisor

10:00am-6:00pm 

Union Affiliation: Non Union

The Somerville Public Schools does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, home status, marital/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.