Georgetown Day School opened its doors in 1945 as the first integrated school in a segregated city. Governed by a Board of Trustees elected by the parent body and administered by an appointed Head of School, it was founded by seven families who wanted to create a school committed not only to academic excellence and educational innovation but also to a value system emphasizing appreciation and respect for others. Believing that diversity was the ground out of which all deep and rich learning occurs, they established a school where all children would be welcome, celebrated, and challenged to be their best selves.
Today, the School's philosophy, programs, and position in the national educational landscape strongly reflect its roots. Having grown from 12 children in 1945 to 1075 students in PK-12 today, GDS is recognized as one of Washington, D.C.’s and the nation’s most dynamic educational institutions.
Since the school’s founding, GDS has called eight different locations home. In the fall of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools were all joined on one extraordinary campus.
About The Position
Location: On campus
Start Date: August 19, 2024
Type of Opportunity: Full-time, salaried, exempt with benefits.
Georgetown Day School is now accepting applications for the Director of Choral Studies position, who will instruct and direct multiple choirs, grades 9-12. GDS’s music program has a rich tradition of choral and instrumental ensembles. It features four choirs, five jazz bands, several staged productions, and a host of other supporting musical classes, including advanced level Music Theory and Composition.
The primary teaching responsibilities of the candidate for the 2024-2025 school year will be directing GDS’s choral ensembles:
The position is full-time and includes being the Director of Vocal Music for the school’s annual musical stage production and occasionally teaching standard Music Theory, and AP Music Theory classes on rotation.
The Director of Choral Studies, in close partnership with other members of the Performing Arts Department, prepares students for a host of major school performances during the year (i.e. Choralcopia, Winter Extravaganza, Spring Concert, and DC Area Independent Schools’ Choral Festivals ), and coordinates travel for the choral festivals (past trips have included performances Tours to Spain, Italy, and multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Candidates should have experience coordinating all performance elements, with an emphasis on partnering with a variety of constituencies, from administration and faculty to parents and students. Collaborating with the entire community on aspects of the program and performance is a critical element to the success of this role.
With administrative support for site rentals and concert preparation, the Director of Choral Studies submits estimated budget needs annually in accordance with established timelines. Additional duties include choral performances for select school events, such as admissions events, donor events, graduation, etc., and arranging for collaborative pianists and other instrumentalists, as needed.
In addition to the requirements as mentioned above, we are looking for candidates with some or all of the following:
Ability to select and program appropriate concert material across a wide variety of genres and styles in a culturally relevant and responsive manner.
Strong knowledge of vocal pedagogy and adolescent vocal development.
Clear, supportive, and communicative rehearsal technique
Ability to study and interpret musical scores
A passion and ideas for advancing students’ musicianship and theory skills
An investment in creating a safe, nurturing environment with firm boundaries
Exemplary organizational skills
Ability to maintain and delegate organization of the music library
Ability to direct professional musicians for musicals and concerts when needed
Basic piano accompaniment skills
Requirements
The ideal candidate will possess 3+ years of relevant teaching experience in the area of choral music in grades 6-12 and an advanced degree in music or music education. Professional experience in the field is highly desirable, as is a sincere desire to nurture and expand our students’ creative potential.
Bachelor's degree in Music or Music Education.
Master's in Music Education or Choral Conducting is preferred.
Americans with Disability Specifications
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
D.C. Wage Transparency Act
Regarding the salary range for this position, GDS follows a Pay Equity Scale for Teaching Staff that recognizes years of direct experience and correlates to steps on the Scale. The HR team evaluates resumes on an individual basis to identify years of experience; which correlates to steps on our scale. A teacher entering in their 1st year of teaching is slated to earn approximately $63,000 annually for the 2024-2025 School Year and each year of experience equates to approximately $1,000 to 1,500 additional compensation annually. There are additional opportunities on campus for coaching and various stipends, as well.
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three references using our online application system through ADP/Workforce Now: http://www.gds.org/Recruiting. To find out more about the school, candidates should visit our website at www.gds.org.
As an inclusive school devoted to preparing our students to live, work, and lead in an increasingly globalized and multicultural society, GDS is particularly interested in professionals with demonstrated interest and experience in working in such a school setting and is driven by the core charge of working to enhance and bring joy to every student’s individual learning experience in equitable and meaningful ways.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Education and Training
Industries
Primary and Secondary Education
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