String Instructor & Coordinator
Illinois Symphony Orchestra Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestras
String Instructor Description
Status: Part-time (1-15 hours/week); Non-Exempt
Supervised By: ISYO Conductor, ISYO Program Manager, and ISO Executive Director
Organization Description:
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra (ISO), under the inspiring leadership of Music Director Taichi Fukumura, is the premier professional orchestra of central Illinois- bringing world-class music to life for more than 40,000 patrons across Bloomington-Normal, Springfield, and surrounding communities. With exciting symphony, Pops, and chamber orchestra performances, engaging Concerts for Kids, and intimate and immersive chamber experiences including Sips & Sounds, Around the Town, and Beyond the Stage performances, the ISO is redefining what a regional orchestra can be.
The ISO's reach goes far beyond the concert hall. Through transformative education programs like Itsy Arts and Music Matters, the orchestra sparks creativity in pre-K and elementary classrooms, while guest artist residencies and ensemble visits connect with middle schools, high schools, universities, and senior centers building lifelong relationships with music.
In 2020, the ISO expanded its mission by acquiring the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony, now the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestras (ISYO) led by Jacobsen Woollen, serving over 300 young musicians through five progressive ensembles. With strong partnerships with Illinois State University and the UIS Partnership in Education and Community Engagement (PEACE), the ISO is cultivating the next generation of artists, educators, and arts advocates. ISO's annual operating budget is $1.6 million.
Teaching Duties and Responsibilities:
Instruct up to 10 Starter Strings and/or Junior Strings classes during the academic year. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to each class.
Work with the ISYO Conductor and other Strings Instructors to develop and refine the yearly curriculum for the Starter Strings, Junior Strings, and Preparatory Orchestra ensembles.
Create weekly lesson plans based on curriculum.
Provide students and parents with weekly practice plans for each class, including additional materials such as example photos and/or videos.
Attend and participate in the presentation of concerts that include Starter Strings and/or Junior Strings classes you teach and arrive at the designated time.
Maintain weekly class attendance rosters for your classes and report any changes to rosters or student contact information to the ISYO Program Manager.
Document any disciplinary actions taken during classes and provide to ISYO Youth and Community Education Programs Manager.
Attend required meetings, auditions, and events for ISYO programs.
Assist in the recruitment of students and general promotion of ISYO and particularly for the Starter Strings, Junior Strings, and Preparatory Orchestra ensembles.
Set up and break down classroom spaces as required.
Administrative Duties and Responsibilities:
Be a primary communicator with the parents of your students regarding individual student/parent needs & concerns, as well as sharing program-related information with families.
Be a primary communicator with schools where you are teaching, including participating in school presentations and parent meetings and communicating with school principals as needed, including inviting principals to attend ISYO events their students are participating in.
Be responsible for monitoring school and class calendars, closures, and cancellations and communicating these to families in a timely manner and as needed.
Other Duties:
Play a positive, visible, and active role in the Central Illinois music community.
Assist in the general promotion of ISO/ISYO programs.
Develop and foster a strong working relationship with local and regional school and community music educators.
Attend official functions and meetings of ISO/ISYO as required.
Promote the overall public image of ISO/ISYO in the local community and beyond.
Requirements:
The successful candidate will have a bachelor's degree in music performance on a string instrument and/or a degree in music education with a string/orchestra focus or relevant experience.
The successful candidate will have experience teaching string instruments to beginning musicians who are learning a string instrument for the first time. ISYO beginner Starter Strings musicians are typically starting at the third-grade elementary school level.
The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and positive individual that can work in a team environment. S/he will be comfortable working in a collaborative environment with a small staff and limited resources. S/he will be eager to develop the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra programs in the community. S/he will be flexible, adaptable, and energetic.
The successful candidate will be able to accept a work schedule that may include morning, evening, weekend activities, and occasional travel.
Compensation: $70/class, beginning in the 2026-2027 season.
Application Deadline: Applications submitted by May 30, 2026 will be given priority. Applications submitted later than May 30, 2026 will be considered based on need.
Contact Name: Elyse Morehead, ISYO Program Manager
Website: www.ilsymphony.org
Application Procedure: E-mail cover letter and resume to Elyse Morehead, ISYO Programs Manager, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, [email protected]. No telephone calls please.