Instructor, Preparatory Community Music Program

Concordia University Chicago (CUC) invites applications for a part-time Piano Instructor position in the Preparatory and Community Music Program (PCMP). This position reports directly to the Director of the PCMP and is located in River Forest, IL. We are currently seeking an instructor with availability on Saturday mornings and afternoons to help meet growing demand for lessons in the program.

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Teach elementary, intermediate, and advanced piano lessons in the PCMP to students ages 4–18 and adults, in private lesson settings, in-person and periodically online (up to 19 contact hours per week).
• Prepare students to perform classical piano repertoire in annual recitals and to take yearly music theory and ear training examinations. Optional concert, festival, and competition opportunities are also available to students throughout the year.
• Perform twice yearly in faculty recitals shared with other PCMP faculty members.
• Keep accurate records. Instructors will:
• Report any additions or drops from their schedule to the Director within one week after the change.
• Maintain an accurate, up-to-date record of missed lessons and make-up lesson dates. All make-up lessons should be completed before the end of the term in which the missed lesson occurred.
• Prepare written Progress Reports for parents at the end of the Fall and Spring terms by an established date, keeping a copy in each student's individual file.
• Keep a file for each student. When a student discontinues lessons, their file should be given to the Director.
• Keep open communication with the Director. Instructors are expected to:
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Advise the Director of any student or parent concerns that require the Director's input.
• Consult with the Director prior to recommending that a student discontinue lessons or before placing a student on probation.
• Assist with department recitals and examinations as needed, and attend all department recitals unless in conflict with a teaching schedule.
• Refer all inquiries about lessons to the Director.
• Schedule all non-adult students to appear on at least one department recital during the year, and prepare all students with more than one year's enrollment in the program for yearly examinations.
• Candidates must support and be committed to the mission and identity of Concordia University Chicago, a university of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Program Structure:

The PCMP operates on three 12-week terms (Fall, Winter, and Spring), plus an optional Summer term. Teaching hours are flexible, up to a maximum of 19 hours per week, and must include availability on Saturday mornings and afternoons.

Skill Sets:

• Performs piano repertoire at a high standard, at a minimum level of sophistication on par with the Mozart Sonatas, or the equivalent in another style or genre.
• Experience teaching and performing classical piano.
• Can teach elementary through advanced students, in group and private settings, in-person and online.
• Acts as a positive, nurturing role model for pre-college students, while simultaneously providing them with challenging work and holding them to a high standard.
• Interacts with the parents of pre-college students in a confident, professional manner.
• Is familiar with contemporary approaches to piano pedagogy.
• Comfortable working with Word- and Excel-type documents, and sharing such documents, in a paperless, electronic format.
• Exhibits a service mentality toward all stakeholders.
• All communication with stakeholders is effective, professional, accurate, and timely.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance and/or Piano Pedagogy, required.
• Master's degree in Piano Performance and/or Piano Pedagogy, preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Experience teaching and performing classical piano, required.
• Availability on Saturday mornings and afternoons, required.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a part-time, hourly position (0–19 hours per week). Instructors are paid an hourly wage ranging from $40.00–$48.00, based on degrees and experience. Concordia retirement plan enrollment is available to part-time employees. Tuition benefits may also be available.

Application Information:

Interested individuals should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the name and contact information for one professional reference to Katrina Sudman, Director of the PCMP.

Via email: katrina.sudman@cuchicago.edu

Or via physical mail:

Katrina Sudman

Concordia University Chicago

7400 Augusta Street

River Forest, IL 60305-1499

Concordia does not discriminate in the employment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex or age. As an institution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, however, and to the extent allowed by law, Concordia University reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religious affiliation.

Concordia University Chicago does not generally sponsor for employment visas except for positions that oversee, teach or support our international programs.

About Concordia University Chicago:

Concordia University Chicago is a liberal arts-based Christian university founded in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Theology, Arts & Humanities, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Health, Science & Technology, Concordia-Chicago offers more than 160 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success. All undergraduate and graduate degrees are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Concordia University Chicago has been recognized as a College of Distinction since 2010, and is consistently ranked among the Best Regional Universities-Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. For more than a decade, combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment has exceeded 5,000 students. Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Learn more about our commitment to higher education, rooted in the Gospel, at CUChicago.edu.

Steadfast in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, Concordia University Chicago promotes academic rigor in its liberal arts and professional programs; grounds students in objective truth, integrity, and excellence; and practices faithfulness to the Confessional teachings of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, as it forms students for vocations in church, family, and the world.