2026-2027 Middle & Upper School Orchestra Director
The Barstow School seeks a passionate, skilled, and student-centered Part-Time Orchestra Director to lead and grow a string music program for students in grades 6-12. The ideal candidate loves working with adolescents, values musical excellence, understands the developmental needs of middle and upper school students, and views orchestra not only as a performance ensemble, but also as a space for community-building. This role offers significant artistic freedom and the opportunity to shape a program that fosters confidence, collaboration, and joy in music. At present, the schedule for all orchestra classes is set prior to the beginning of the regular school day.
Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:
- Teach and direct middle and upper school orchestra classes
- Select developmentally appropriate, engaging, and inclusive repertoire
- Plan and lead rehearsals that develop proper technique, musicianship, and ensemble skills
- Prepare students for performances
- Communicate clearly with students, families, and administrators
- Support students with varying levels of experience and confidence
- Participate in school events, meetings, and professional development as appropriate
- Work independently, reflect on practice, and pursue ongoing professional growth
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Music, Music Education, Instrumental Conducting, or a related field
Experience teaching orchestra or string ensembles at the middle and/or upper school level
Compensation & Benefits:
Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Contact:
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and a Barstow Employment Application to Debra Raffety, Director of Middle School, recruiting@bartowschool.org.
About the Barstow School:
The Barstow School is a co-educational school where students in preschool through twelfth grade develop in a challenging educational community. As originally stated by Mary Louise Barstow, the objective of the school remains “to promote sound scholarship and to give symmetrical development to mind, body and character.” The goals of The Barstow School are to: graduate well-rounded and self-confident individuals; offer a rigorous and challenging college preparatory curriculum; provide opportunities to develop leadership and enhance skills for lifelong learning; develop highly skilled, ethical users of technology; maintain a community that is diverse, accepting and inclusive; promote service work to the community by students and adults; foster open communication among all constituents in the Barstow community; encourage the development of faculty through ongoing learning opportunities; act as good stewards of the institution’s physical, financial and human resources.
The Barstow School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.
This policy of nondiscrimination governs the hiring of employees as well and includes the administration of all benefits and policies throughout the term of employment.
About the Dan and Cassidy Towriss IDEA Space:
Powered by The Barstow School, The Dan and Cassidy Towriss IDEA Space is an innovative learning center where students and educators explore science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) through hands-on experiences. For more information contact: IDEA Space KC.
