Middle and Upper School Orchestra Director

The Wellington School, a vibrant PreK-12 independent school in Columbus, Ohio, is dedicated to delivering an exceptional education through both traditional and innovative, hands-on teaching methods. Situated in a city known for its dynamic blend of culture and growth, Columbus offers an inviting and exciting place to live and work, boasting a thriving arts scene, multiple universities and higher education options, an expansive Metro Park system, diverse dining, and a welcoming spirit. At Wellington, every member of our community plays a critical role in upholding our values as we help students find their purpose and realize their potential for tomorrow’s world. We strive to provide students, families, and faculty with an educational experience that challenges and inspires, helping all to achieve their fullest potential. Wellington is committed to providing its faculty and staff with professional development opportunities, competitive compensation/benefits package, and a supportive work environment. Diversity and belonging are central to our work, and we invite you to explore our website to learn more about our unique approach to teaching and learning. 

Mission 

We help students find their purpose and realize their potential for tomorrow's world.  

Wellington's Core Values:

• Be Curious   
• Be Yourself
• Be Ambitious   
• Be Empathetic  
• Be Responsible

10 month, 1.0 FTE 

Wellington seeks a dynamic, student-centered Orchestra Director to conduct all strings ensembles in grades 5-12 and to provide musical guidance and direction to our students. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in both sparking students’ passion in the strings classroom and supporting their social-emotional wellbeing. This position involves teaching three middle school strings ensembles, one larger upper school strings ensemble, and serving as an advisor to middle school students.  

• Conduct all strings (violin, viola, cello, and bass) in grades 5-12.
• Arrange, in conjunction with the other members of the music department, concerts throughout the school year. Typically, all orchestras will have at least one winter concert and one spring concert.
• Serve as advisor to 10-15 middle school students and contribute to a grade-level team.
• Actively participate in the school community, collaborating with colleagues and contributing to a positive and dynamic academic environment.
• Pursue and engage in ongoing professional development opportunities aligned with the school's mission and goals. 

• Communicate effectively with parents and caregivers of students and advisees to keep them aware of student progress. 

• Passion and enthusiasm for music and teaching
• Ability to teach multiple levels, starting with beginners
• Experience working with middle and high school students as a teacher and conductor
• Performance experience or current involvement in ensembles a plus
• Patience, perseverance, and excellent communication skills
• Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in music education with orchestral emphasis
• Successful candidates will bring demonstrated excellence in strings instruction, creative vision and flexibility in program development, and excellent organizational skills. A deep understanding of the developmental journey of students from grade 5 through grade 12 in both their social-emotional growth and musical development is a must
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • cultural competency in teaching practices.
  • managing a classroom with a focus on creating a positive and inclusive classroom culture.
  • differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of students.
  • assessing and documenting student growth through observations, record-keeping, and various assessments. 

• Candidates should demonstrate an ability to operate effectively in diverse environments, interact successfully with people from widely varying backgrounds, and employ culturally responsive pedagogy to create an inclusive and equitable classroom community.  

• Ability to stand, walk, sit, and engage in classroom activities for extended periods.
• Ability to quickly run to provide immediate support to a child in urgent situations.
• Occasionally lift/move up to 50 pounds.
• The work environment is generally a moderate noise level, typical of a school setting. 

Send your materials as soon as possible to Jamie Fencl, middle school administrative assistant, fencl@wellington.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis starting June 16. All candidates should include: 

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Completed application 

We believe every person plays a role in making Wellington a diverse, equitable, and inclusive place to learn, teach, and work. We seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty and staff who thrive on being engaged participants in our vibrant, innovative educational community. We embrace diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of our admission policies, financial aid, or employment.