Job Description

The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12, as well as a post-graduate year. Mr. Gunn had a deep appreciation for the natural world, believing that in nature students understand themselves as humans and their place in the world. He took a principled stand against slavery and spurred students (and the town at large) to examine their beliefs. In addition to the habits and skills students will need in college and life beyond, we teach them to follow Mr. Gunn’s example: to cultivate wisdom, to be trailblazers, to act with conviction, and to value character as highly as intellect and achievement.

Our continuous focus on moral character development intentionally engages all members of our school in the work of creating an inclusive and equitable living and learning ecosystem. Community and citizenship are at the heart of our aspiration to both social justice and academic excellence, with individual diversity integral to the strength of that community. When we embrace difference and pursue school life with respect, equity, and compassion, we build a foundation for engaged citizens.

In keeping with the tenets of our founder Frederick Gunn, who was himself a prominent abolitionist and progressive educator, The Frederick Gunn School seeks to provide a pluralistic learning environment for all inclusive of (but not limited to): culture, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, national origin, learning differences, physical difference, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic differences.

We invite applicants who resonate with our mission and who will foster an environment of cultural and intellectual richness and an active participant in advancing equity and inclusion.

Frequency

Private lessons will be scheduled once per week, per student, lasting 40–60 minutes. The number of students will vary based on enrollment and interest.

Additional Responsibilities 

The instructor may be asked to lead sectional rehearsals, cover ensemble classes, or perform with school ensembles as needed. These responsibilities would be compensated separately.

Experience 

A minimum of one year of experience teaching high school students (beginner through intermediate levels) is required.

Location 

All lessons will take place on The Frederick Gunn School campus in the TPACC practice rooms.

Employment

This is a part-time employment opportunity (W2), which includes standard background and finger-printing procedures.

Teaching Expectations

Instruction should include, but is not limited to: fundamental piano technique, touch and tone production, hand position and coordination, articulation, voicing, and stylistic interpretation. Emphasis should be placed on jazz-specific skills, including chord voicings, comping patterns, improvisation, scales and modes, ii–V–I progressions, and stylistic fluency (swing, Latin, and contemporary styles). Additional areas should include melodic and rhythmic sight-reading, lead sheet interpretation, and basic music theory. The instructor should also address practice strategies, listening skills, and ensemble collaboration. The ability to teach across a variety of musical styles and genres (including classical, jazz, and contemporary styles) is expected.

Frederick Gunn was a champion of the arts, athletics and the natural world. As we align our vision for the future in the Arts at The Frederick Gunn School, we want to be sure we are offering our students a high standard of excellence while allowing them to take risks, explore new experiences, master skills and fundamental techniques, and leave our school with a love and understanding for the holistic beauty of the Arts. The Arts make us human. Our Arts vision includes music, theatre, dance, and all mediums of the visual arts, including drawing, painting, ceramics, photography and more. The portrait of an FGS graduate is one that is curious, creative, competent, collaborative, and cultured. The Arts organically prepare our students in all aspects of these values. For more information on the Arts at FGS, please click here .

To Apply

To apply, please complete our online application and upload a cover letter, resume, and three professional references (references will not be contacted without notifying you). Application materials are being accepted now, and qualified applicants will be invited to interview on a rolling basis.

Please submit the following materials: 

● Resume 

● Cover letter 

● Two to four letters of recommendation

The Frederick Gunn School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Except in cases of a bona fide occupational qualification or need, or except as otherwise permitted or required by law, The Frederick Gunn School does not discriminate against applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, intellectual disability, learning disability or physical disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, victims of domestic violence or any other protected class status under applicable law with respect to hiring, compensation, promotion, discharge from employment or other terms and conditions of employment. Position announcements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the job title and the education and skills required. Descriptions are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills that are required or may be required in the future. 

BACKGROUND SCREENING: The Frederick Gunn School conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer, which includes using a third-party administrator to conduct the checks.

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