Assistant Conductor
: Job Details :

Riverdale Country School is a Pre-K through grade 12 independent school in New York City committed to empowering lifelong learners by developing minds, building character, and creating community in order to change our world for the good. Riverdale seeks to reflect the diversity of the New York metropolitan area in its students, faculty, and staff. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is the foundational core of community-building that supports the school's mission and empowers all community members to be their whole selves and thrive-- especially those who historically have beenand continue to be marginalized because of their cultural, ethnic, racial, linguistic, national, gender, sexual, spiritual, or socioeconomic identities and their physical, mental, or emotional well-being. Riverdale enrolls about 1,200 students who collectively reside in 117 different zip codes. Approximately 44% of our student body identify as students of color. We seek to employ people who engage in all aspects of work with a student-centered approach, an open mind, passion, and a willingness to support the greater community. At Riverdale we recognize that the work of DEIB is iterative and requires a consistent commitment. Ideal candidates display that commitment in their work and/or in their approach to teaching and learning. The Riverdale Department of Music seeks an enthusiastic, collegial, and knowledgeable Assistant Conductor to support our Principal Conductor and develop our student musicians. This part-time position begins in the 2024-2025 academic year. The Assistant Conductor will support the principal conductor by preparing and conducting rehearsals, studying scores, and being ready to step in for performances if needed. Responsibilities include assisting in planning and organizing rehearsals, leading sectional rehearsals, and providing feedback to encourage our student musicians. Duties also involve managing sheet music by organizing, distributing, and collecting it at the end of the year, as well as helping to choose suitable repertoire for the orchestra. Additionally, the assistant conductor will conduct sectional rehearsals to work on specific parts with individual sections of the orchestra and help manage a class of over 60 students, ensuring they are ready to start rehearsals on time. Riverdale is an inclusive community dedicated to the principles of DEI. Our hiring practices reflect this commitment, and we seek collegial candidates eager to expand this work in the classroom, in our curricular work, and in the pedagogical principles of the department. Necessary Requirements: • A minimum of three-five years of experience teaching beginning and developing-level strings groups • Enthusiasm for teaching in an orchestra setting • Passion for working with youth ages 13-18• Enthusiasm for connecting to the school community as a teaching artist • Commitment to personal growth, self-exploration, and reflective practice • Excellent interpersonal skills and flexibility• Commitment to participate in innovative and non-traditional approaches to music education and performance • Passion for learning and sharing concepts that are distinctive to the Riverdale Country School mission and community• Being a collaborative team player is essential for this role. The successful candidate should work effectively with colleagues, share responsibilities, and contribute to a supportive team environment.Preferred Qualifications• An educator with strong interpersonal abilities and proven leadership skills.• A willingness to collaborate with the Department of Music team members and, where applicable, with other art discipline teachers, i.e., Visual Arts and Theater-Dance-Film.• Inspires and motivates young musicians with efficient conducting and teaching that is both concise and compelling.• Understands and can use laptop computers and a base competency in music technology, e.g., music notation applications, DAWs, or other music education, recording, and production tools. $4,930 - $7,250 a yearTo apply for this position, please click on the red Apply for this Job button. Please submit a resume and cover letter. If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us. For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale's website. Benefits of Full Time Work at Riverdale Country SchoolWorking at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits including: Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs in Manhattan including the Metro North Harlem Station and subway lines - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, A, B, C, and D. If there is need in the community, we can also run a shuttle from the Henry Hudson Parkway / 246th St bus stop which connects to the #7, #10, and Express Buses to/from Manhattan.Professional Development: A generous professional-development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.Grants and Stipends: All employees are eligible for Frankel Fellow grants, known as passion grants, which pay for enrichment activities. More than 120 grants have been made to faculty and staff since the program started in 2014. Stipends are available for coaching, affinity group facilitation, advising clubs with significant out-of-school time, and chaperoning trips (including global trips!).Sabbatical: Full time teaching faculty are eligible for a sabbatical after 10 years of employment. Health Benefits: Riverdale offers and subsidizes health, dental, and vision insurance. In addition, the school offers a flexible spending account through which employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses. Retirement: Employees are eligible to join our Defined Contribution retirement plan through TIAA. The school contributes 7% of an employee's annual salary to their retirement account. Vacation: Riverdale Country School has a generous time-off policy for staff in addition to vacations afforded by the school calendar.