Band Director – Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Job Title: Band Director – Middle School (Grades 6-8) (“Band Director” or “Director”)
Department: Middle School
Reports to: Grades Director
Classification: Part-time Faculty, Benefit-ineligible, Exempt,
Supervisory responsibility: No Faculty or Staff supervisory responsibilities
Salary: Depends on qualifications and experience
Position Purpose: The Band Director guides students in grades 6–8 in developing instrumental skill, musical understanding, ensemble awareness, and confidence through participation in a middle school band program. Teaching is grounded in a developmental and experiential approach that emphasizes listening, coordination, rhythm, collaboration, and joyful music-making.
Working with a mixed-ability ensemble, the Director creates a supportive and engaging environment where students develop both musical capacity and social responsibility. Band serves not only as a musical experience, but also as an important space for cultivating perseverance, cooperation, discipline, confidence, and a sense of belonging within a group.
How to Apply
If you are qualified and interested in joining a warm, hospitable, and growing community such as ours, please email your updated resume and letter of interest along with three professional references, to [email protected].
Place the job title and your full name in the subject line of your email message and send as shown below. If you are applying for multiple jobs, please send a separate message for each job.
Grades Director
Austin Waldorf School, Inc.
8700 South View Road
Austin, TX 78737
[email protected]
Essential Job Duties
The Director must perform the following essential duties with or without reasonable accommodations.
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Teach middle school band for grades 6–8 in a mixed-level ensemble setting
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Lead rehearsals twice per week
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Work with students possessing a wide range of prior experience and technical skill
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Design and lead rehearsals that integrate:
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Instrumental technique
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Rhythm and timing
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Ensemble listening and coordination
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Tone production and musical expression
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Musical confidence and performance skills
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Support students across a variety of band instruments, including woodwinds, brass, and percussion
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Select repertoire that is engaging, accessible, developmentally appropriate, and supportive of ensemble growth
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Foster musical literacy and increasing independence appropriate to middle school students
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Teach out of an anthroposophical understanding of human development and the role of music in education
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Prepare students for concerts, assemblies, festivals, and other school performances throughout the year
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Communicate rehearsal schedules, concert expectations, and instrument needs clearly with students and families
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Provide student progress reports and feedback as required by the school
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Support organization, inventory, and care of instruments and music materials
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Help guide students and families in instrument selection and private lesson support, as appropriate
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Collaborate with other music faculty to support a coherent and developmentally appropriate music program
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Maintain a consistent and reliable rehearsal and performance schedule
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Communicate promptly and professionally with students, families, and colleagues
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Demonstrate proficiency with Google Workspace and familiarity with learning management systems, as appropriate to the role
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Maintain organized rehearsal spaces and support proper care of instruments and materials
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Support a classroom environment characterized by order, respect, beauty, and care
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Report health and safety concerns promptly
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Act professionally at all times and contribute positively to a collaborative faculty culture
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Use good judgment and make good decisions in matters related to the job.
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Follow School and department policies and procedures and the instructions of the position’s supervisor.
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Discuss matters affecting the job or performance with the position’s supervisor.
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Be punctual and attend, work regularly; work additional hours as required, and attend meetings. In-person, onsite attendance is a requirement of the job.
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Dress appropriately and in compliance with School policy.
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Demonstrate initiative and diligence in the prompt and proper completion of all job duties, whether or not listed in this Job Description.
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Safeguard School property and recognize and report needed repairs.
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Work safely, follow safety rules and training, and maintain a clean, safe work environment.
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Maintain confidentiality with regard to all School business.
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Perform additional duties as assigned.
Professional Requirements
The Director must meet the following requirements with or without reasonable accommodations.
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Bachelor’s degree in Music, Music Education, or a related field
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Be legally authorized to work in the United States and provide documentation establishing identity and employment eligibility upon hire. The school does not sponsor employment visas.
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Experience teaching or directing middle school instrumental ensembles
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Strong conducting and rehearsal leadership skills
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Working knowledge of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments
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Ability to work effectively with mixed-ability ensembles
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Strong classroom management and organizational skills
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Interest in or openness toward Waldorf education and developmental pedagogy
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Onsite, in-person attendance is a requirement of the job
Physical and Mental Requirements
The Director must meet the following mental and physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations.
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The ability to learn, understand, remember, and communicate effectively information about the job.
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The ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.
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Good hearing and listening abilities, that is, the Director must be able to hear and discern musical notes, and spoken words from students, parents, co-workers, and others.
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Good motor coordination skills, that is, the ability to coordinate his or her eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as when playing a musical instrument or typing, and the ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods.
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Make and use repetitive hand motions over an extended period, as when playing a musical instrument or typing.
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Work effectively under pressure and deadlines.
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Sit, stand, move around, bend, reach, grasp, stretch, push and pull, and remain sitting or upright for extended periods of time in one room.