BRAVO Music Director at Oak Park Elementary School District 97 in Oak Park, IL

Job description

BRAVO Music Director Revised Oct 2026 Perm/contract: Temporary / Contractor Department: Extra Curricular - Contracted Position Primary Reporting Location: Brooks Level: N/A Salary: TBD Date Available: ASAP Job Category: Extra Curricular Reports to: Artistic Director D97 Ideal Team Member Profile: The ideal team member in District 97 is a visionary and equity-centered leader who inspires excellence and fosters collective responsibility for student success. This individual: Champions the district's vision and drives forward-thinking, innovative practices that anticipate future educational needs. Stewards public trust and resources with fiscal responsibility and ethical transparency. Demonstrates relentless commitment to student success, ensuring that every decision supports equitable opportunities and outcomes for all learners. Organizes and empowers teams to work collaboratively toward shared goals, recognizing the interdependence of roles across departments and schools. Fosters a culture of care, learning, and service, grounded in authentic engagement with students, families, staff, and community members. Models integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality, serving as a role model for ethical and respectful conduct at all levels. Thrives in a culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse environment, showing a deep passion for inclusive practices and building belonging for all team members. Seeks and embraces feedback, especially when it challenges them to grow and improve in service of students and colleagues. Understands the powerful intersection of leadership, learning, and equity, and aligns their work to dismantle systemic barriers. Courageously addresses unprofessional behavior, holding self and others accountable to high standards in service to the community and students. About the Role BRAVO is an award-winning musical theater program at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School. We are seeking an experienced, confident, and collaborative Music Director to teach, lead, and refine the music for our upcoming full-scale musical theater productions. The Music Director (MD) is an after-school contractor position that works with the creative team to inspire excellence through music and storytelling. Rehearsal requirements vary Monday-Friday 3:30-6:30pm and some Saturdays 9am-12pm ( Additional times during tech week) The MD does not accompany performances , but must be a strong pianist who can confidently read music, piano/vocal scores and teach students with musicality, confidence, clarity, and intention. The MD interacts with and responds to students, and staff in ways that demonstrates their alignment and agreement with the district's equity commitments as expressed in BoardPolicy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Teach, lead, and refine the music for full-scale productions, including vocal parts, harmonies, dynamics, style, musicality, storytelling, and individual student growth. Collaborate with the Director, Choreographer, Associate Director, Production Manager, Sound Engineer, and BRAVO staff to support the artistic vision and coordinate all musical and production needs. Plan and prepare thoroughly by reviewing the script and score, preparing auditions/callbacks, creating ensembles and vocal parts, and developing an organized rehearsal schedule with clear goals and deadlines. Lead effective rehearsals with strong piano skills, prepared materials, warm-ups, and individualized coaching while maintaining a respectful, focused, and positive environment. Prepare and coordinate sound needs, including creating the microphone list, coordinating microphone assignments, and assisting with sound checks, placement, troubleshooting, and vocal balance during tech and performances. Support production readiness by coordinating musical and technical needs for tech week and performances, working within the production budget, and collaborating on props, costumes, sets, lighting, and other pro