Level 2 Brass Teaching Artist

Position: Level 2 Brass Teaching Artist

Site: Chesterfield Parks and Recreation-approved site, Chesterfield County, VA

Status: Part-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

Pay: $7,408 annually, paid semi-monthly

Benefits: Paid time off, employee dental insurance, paid holidays, SIMPLE IRA with employer match

Employment Period: September 8, 2026-May 28, 2027

Programming Period: September 23, 2026-May 24, 2027

Schedule: Preservice professional development is September 8-11, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 PM. Regular Level 2 programming begins September 23, 2026, and generally takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:40-6:25 PM. The official student program is 4:15-6:15 PM. Additional professional development, planning and documentation time, staff meetings, and performances are required.

Reports To: Director of Programs and Community Engagement - Greater Richmond

Start Date: September 8, 2026

Close Date: Until filled

About Soundscapes Daily Programs: Soundscapes' Daily Programs use music to transform lives. Through ensemble-based learning, students develop musical skills, confidence, and the social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills needed to thrive. Inspired by the international El Sistema movement, Soundscapes creates joyful, high-energy learning environments where every child is seen, supported, and challenged to grow.

Since 2009, Soundscapes has partnered with public schools and community organizations to provide free, high-quality music education. Our multi-year continuum begins with rhythmic play and singing and grows into full orchestral and jazz performance. Students progress using Soundscapes' nine-dimension developmental rubric, which tracks musical and character-based growth.

Soundscapes launched its Chesterfield County program at Beulah Recreation Center in January 2026. For 2026-2027, student programming is projected to operate at a Chesterfield Parks and Recreation-approved site, while preservice and scheduled professional development will take place at Beulah Recreation Center. The Chesterfield Daily Program provides a pathway from Level 1 Music Readiness into Level 2 Instrument Readiness and future ensemble participation.

Position Summary: The Level 2 Brass Teaching Artist will provide high-quality, instrument-focused instruction within Soundscapes' ensemble-based program model. The Teaching Artist will lead beginning brass instruction on trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba, emphasizing posture, breath support, embouchure, tone production, articulation, valve and slide technique, instrument care, early music literacy, and ensemble habits. Instruction should build confidence, consistency, curiosity, collaboration, and readiness for future Level 3 participation.

This role requires close collaboration with site leadership and fellow Teaching Artists, including planning, coaching conversations, reflection, and shared responsibility for a safe, joyful, structured, and respectful learning environment.

Schedule and Travel: Regular work is generally Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:40-6:25 PM, subject to the official Soundscapes Chesterfield program calendar. Preservice and scheduled professional development will take place at Beulah Recreation Center. Student programming will take place at a Chesterfield Parks and Recreation-approved site. During onboarding, the Teaching Artist may be required to attend orientation or training at a Soundscapes Newport News site. Mileage for required travel will be reimbursed in accordance with Soundscapes policy.

Responsibilities:
• Act as a positive role model through community-minded leadership, excellent musicianship, equitable and empathetic teaching, and reflective practice.
• Create a safe, joyful, structured, and respectful learning environment where students are seen, supported, and challenged to grow.
• Maintain high musical and behavioral expectations with patience, fairness, and respect.
• Use the Soundscapes Scope and Sequence and approved beginner materials to plan and deliver aligned instruction.
• Teach beginning technique on trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba, including posture, breathing, embouchure, tone, articulation, valve and slide technique.
• Teach instrument care, assembly, maintenance habits, and responsibility for materials.
• Teach early music reading, notation, rhythmic accuracy, listening skills, clef awareness, and foundational musicianship.
• Prepare students to perform published Grade 1 music, with appropriate students stretching toward Grade 1.5.
• Use ensemble-based instruction to develop musical, social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills.
• Develop preparation, listening, rehearsal etiquette, teamwork, and respect for others' musical roles.
• Perform regularly for students and model beginning-level skills on brass instruments as appropriate.
• Track student progress and evaluate students using the Soundscapes Developmental Rubric.
• Communicate student progress to parents/guardians and site leadership.
• Collaborate with site leadership and fellow Teaching Artists on planning, transitions, student support, and consistent instructional practices.
• Participate in coaching conversations, professional development, staff meetings, and reflective planning.
• Assist with arrival, snack, transitions, supervision, dismissal, field trips, performances, and special events as required.
• Attend all required performances.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements:
• Minimum four years of experience in brass pedagogy and performance.
• Proficient performance on a principal brass instrument and ability to model strong musicianship.
• Ability to demonstrate beginning pedagogy on trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba, using curriculum resources and professional learning as needed.
• Working knowledge of common brass transpositions, treble and bass clefs, and age-appropriate beginning methods.
• Ability to teach and execute basic improvisation.
• Commitment to music education as a vehicle for youth development and social change.
• Strong classroom management grounded in patience, understanding, and consistent expectations.
• Clear, respectful communication with elementary students, families, colleagues, and community partners.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Self-directed, punctual, dependable, and responsive to feedback.
• Familiarity with Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Classroom, or willingness to learn.
• Reliable transportation to the Chesterfield program and professional development sites.
• Successful background check required.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances, trips, or special events.
• Finalists will teach a short lesson and perform on their principal instrument during the interview process.

Mission: To invest in our communities by providing immersive, engaging music-making and ensemble performance opportunities for young people to strengthen social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills.

Our Values:
Impact: Soundscapes believes in the power of music education to change lives and that all children have valuable contributions to make musically and in their communities.
Community: Soundscapes relies on strong public-private partnerships and individual and business supporters to help students grow in musical quality, positive behavior, civic leadership, and academic curiosity.
Equity: All students have the right to reach their full potential.
Excellence: Soundscapes holds our staff, teachers, board, schools, students, and educational values to the highest standards.
Sustainability: Soundscapes is committed to sustaining free musical instruction and performance opportunities for youth through sound fiscal responsibility, dedicated teachers, families, staff, and school leaders, and strong community partnerships.
Fun: Soundscapes provides students with an exciting, engaging, safe, and inspiring experience.

El Sistema: Soundscapes is inspired by El Sistema, a youth orchestra program that originated in Venezuela over forty years ago. Now found in more than 65 countries, El Sistema-inspired programs use music education and performance opportunities to build skills young people need to thrive and become engaged citizens. Soundscapes is the fourth-oldest El Sistema-inspired organization in the United States and the first in Virginia.

Soundscapes is a proud founding member of El Sistema USA. For more information about Soundscapes, please visit www.soundscapeshr.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Soundscapes is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.