Band - Assistant Director 2023-24 - West
West Salem HS Band Assistant Director 2023-24
West Salem High School (OR) seeks a dynamic musician and educator to join their team as Assistant Director. The West band has been highly successful in OSAA state competition, in field competition, in OMEA jazz competition, and enjoys high engagement and support from students and the community.
Responsibilities: The successful candidate will assume principal leadership of the marching band, the jazz program, consisting of two curricular big bands, the Concert Band, the third of three concert ensembles in the program, beginning band at Brush College Elementary School, and a music exploratory course for students with special needs. Additional work includes splitting assistant work with two middle schools, Walker and Straub, and running the basketball pep band.
Preferred qualifications: Education and experience commensurate with leading a diverse and successful jazz program and marching band (high school, collegiate, and/or drum corps). Additional skills and experience in working with developmentally challenged students. A strong desire to collaborate and be part of an instructional team and provide vision for the entire program.
About Salem-Keizer Public Schools: SKPS is Oregon’s second largest district, home to sixty-five schools and over forty thousand students. Seventy percent of the students are considered economically disadvantaged and seventeen percent are considered to be English language learners. The Salem-Keizer music program is staffed by nearly one hundred skilled pedagogues and offers comprehensive music education including K-5 compulsory general music and elective instruction in orchestra, choir, and band beginning in late elementary. Additional programs in contemporary music and recording arts are available at select schools. Salem-Keizer is routinely recognized as a NAMM “Best Community for Music Education”, most recently in 2023.
About West Salem High School: West Salem High School, located in Salem, OR, is one of six comprehensive high schools in the SKPS district. West’s student enrollment is approximately 1,700 with 11% in Talented and Gifted programs and 20% enrolled in a music class. The band program has historically performed at a high level, with the Wind Ensemble frequently winning the 6A OSAA title, the jazz ensemble placing in the OMEA state competition, and the marching band earning high honors during the fall season. West also enjoys equally successful programs in choir and orchestra. Additionally, students are regularly featured in both local, state, and regional honors for individual performance.
About Salem, Oregon: Salem is the capital of Oregon, in the heart of the Willamette Valley, in the northwest quadrant of the state. It, along with nearby Keizer, is home to over 200,000 residents and offers a vibrant downtown, amenities, and natural spaces surrounding the Willamette River and throughout the region. It is within one-hour’s drive to Oregon’s largest city, Portland, and is under two hours to the famed Oregon coast.
Additional materials: In addition to the required materials, please submit: 1) a link to a private channel (YouTube, Vimeo, other) containing video examples of your work in rehearsal/instruction and of performance, which can include your own instrument, as a conductor, as a designer; 2) a one-page Statement on Equitable Practice in the Classroom.
Review of materials will begin immediately. Position will remain open until filled.
Additional questions may be directed to:
Stephen Lytle, DMA
Coordinator, Music and Drama
Salem-Keizer Public Schools
lytle_stephen@salkeiz.k12.or.us
Carlos Ruiz
Principal, Sprague High School
ruiz_carlos@salkeiz.k12.or.us
Type: Licensed
FTE: 1.0
Status: Temporary, November 13, 2023 - June 17, 2024
Salary is prorated based on FTE: $45,478 – $89,512 & Differential may vary (Salary range is based on the 2022-23 range and is subject to change)
Application Procedure: Apply online