ChiME is seeking a board-certified music therapist to join our team. This role is best suited for an individual who is passionate about group settings, working with school-aged children, and who has the energy and enthusiasm to impact hundreds of students per week! Individuals awaiting to take their board exam may apply.
About ChiME
The Chicago Center for Music Education (ChiME) provides access to evidence-based therapy and engagement-based music programs that develop critical skills and foster self and social growth.
Our facility is located in the West Town neighborhood and our programs are also delivered at over 25 partner organizations, 18 of which are Chicago Public Schools. We serve over 3,000 children per year and employ 24 staff members.
ChiME added music therapy services in 2015 to provide access to therapy in the Chicago area. Over the years, ChiME has further identified and addressed another unique and significant need – successful music services for schools and organizations with large populations of students with disabilities. Out of this need came the definition and delivery of our Classroom Music Therapy (CMT), which is currently delivered in about 90 classrooms across 11 partner organizations. CMT services act as the base of our Music Therapy Model of programming, reaching over 1,000 children across the city, most often for just a half hour each week. Buddy Band is the next level of engagement in the Music Therapy Model, where students engage both at a deeper level and for an increased amount of time per week in ChiME’s inclusive program. The deepest level of engagement– and where most measurable growth is seen– is our individual music therapy sessions at ChiME. Through this Music Therapy Model continuum, ChiME hopes to impact the children of Chicago with both breadth and depth. We are looking for the right music therapist to add quality expertise to our existing partners and new partners as we continue to expand in the years to come!
As community arts educators and therapists, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion as a crucial part of our work to ensure that our programming:
- helps all children experience interactions that nurture their full range of social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and linguistic abilities;
- presents a curriculum and programming that is bias-free and reflects and models fundamental principles of fairness and justice;
- is delivered by teaching artists and therapists who are skilled in the delivery of culturally responsive pedagogy and who value all children for who they are and what they bring to our community of learners.
Our Music Therapy Program Services
Classroom Music Therapy (CMT)
Setting: Group music in private schools, public schools, and other organizations. Groups can be anywhere between 2 and 20 students.
Participants: Ages 0 -21, students with and without disabilities.
Description: ChiME has identified and works to fill a large gap in available programming for schools and organizations with large populations of children with disabilities— successful group music experiences. Using our unique CMT formula, ChiME’s board-certified music therapists use their therapeutic knowledge and expertise to serve 11 partner schools and organizations, bringing successful group music experiences to over 1,000 children who would not otherwise have access. Groups typically meet weekly and are 30-45 minutes in length. Participants most often consist of similar-aged peers. Music therapy strategies and expertise are utilized to make sure every student is successful to the best of their ability. Age-appropriate and diverse music used to facilitate musical and nonmusical learning while focusing on active music-making in a community setting.
Buddy Band
Setting: Group music at West Town and partner locations.
Participants: Buddy Band programs have previously included participants ages 3 to 15 years of age, grouped with similar-aged peers and potential for cross-generational groups. Participants include those with and without disabilities.
Description: Buddy Band is an inclusive ensemble available to participants with and without diagnoses,
disabilities, and/or delays. Most groups are led by two ChiME professionals, at least one of whom is a board-certified music therapist. This co-leadership, combined with small group time when possible,
allows for deeper social- and relationship-building skill work, as well as a true sense of
community. Each Buddy Band program ends with a final performance—either via video product or in-person. Buddy Band has been offered as an after-school program at ChiME and at partners, as in-school curriculum at partners, and as a special-event opportunity connecting community groups.
Music Therapy and Music Therapy Instrument Lessons
Setting: Individual sessions at our West Town facility or over virtual platforms.
Clients: ChiME’s typical client age is between 4 and 12, however we are available for clients ages 0 – adult. Our client base has a wide range of disabilities and diagnoses.
Description: Music Therapy – Music Therapy is typically implemented through weekly sessions between client and a board-certified music therapist. Musical activities are used as tools to work on nonmusical goals. Sessions are typically 30 or 45 minutes. Progress reports on goals are written by the therapist every 9 weeks to be shared with family and/or relevant professionals.
Description: Music Therapy Instrument Lessons – These adapted lessons target one instrument (piano, guitar, voice, drums, etc.) but are designed for diverse learners who may not be as successful in a traditional lesson. Music therapists use their knowledge to tailor lessons and activities to each student. Musical and nonmusical goals are targeted. Sessions are typically 30 or 45 minutes. Progress reports on goals are written every 9 weeks to be shared with family and/or relevant professionals.
About the Role
The music therapist hired for this position will work heavily in the Classroom Music Therapy(CMT) arm of programming (please see above for more detailed program descriptions). The opportunity exists to lead and/or co-lead Buddy Band sessions as they are booked. The opportunity to grow an individual music therapy and music therapy instrument lesson client base also exists at ChiME. The opportunity to work in private lessons and other Music Education Model Programs at ChiME also exists.
A hypothetical weekly schedule could consist of anywhere between 4.5 and 20 hours per week over 1 - 6 days per week, and include work in CMTM, Buddy Band, Music Therapy, and other program areas, if desired. The opportunity to grow into a full-time position over time exists within the organization.
Extremely important qualities for this role include the ability to bring an energetic presence across a high weekly session load, the ability to work independently while also communicating effectively with the ChiME team, the ability to be flexible and adaptable in many settings, and the ability to build rapport with a wide range of partner school staff, faculty, families, and (most importantly!) students.
Furthermore, we seek candidates:
- who value all children for who they are and what they bring to our community of learners.
- who are responsible, accountable, and reliable, strive for mutual victories, and who seek to understand others.
- who are board-certified by the CBMT, OR who are completing an internship and/or are awaiting to take their board exam.
- with prior experience working with groups of preschool, elementary, and/or high school students, preferably in a classroom setting.
- who have experience leading large groups, whether in the classroom, therapeutic setting, or otherwise.
- with prior experience with individual music therapy sessions.
- with the ability to carry out assessments, collect, organize, and interpret data, write student goals, prepare progress reports, and collaborate with other teaching artists and therapists.
- with musical talents, including some vocal and instrumental (guitar/ukulele, piano, percussion).
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation for this position is given at differing rates for differing work:
- Classroom Music Therapy Hours: $47 - 55 per hour
- Buddy Band Hours: $47 - 55 per hour
- Music Therapy Hours: $74 - 76 per hour
- Administrative Hours (Meetings, etc.): $17 per hour
.ChiME provides benefits for part-time employees including the following:
- Mileage reimbursement for commuting to partner locations
- Discounts are given to employees and family members for ChiME classes.
To Apply
Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and a resume highlighting relevant work experience and accomplishments. Materials should be sent to [email protected] and include “Music Therapist” in the subject line. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
ChiME is an "at-will" and equal opportunity employer. Applicants and employees shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender (including pregnancy and gender expression) identity, color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants who are disabled may participate in the application process. Please advise us in writing of special needs at the time of application.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $47.00 - $76.00 per hour
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- Do you currently have, or are you in the process of obtaining, Board Certification in Music Therapy?
Ability to Relocate:
- Chicago, IL: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: On the road
