June 2025

The Mercer Island Orchestra Program is seeking a strings coach. The ideal candidate is
comfortable on all four string instruments to lead pull-out lessons, sectionals, and
interventions for 5th-8th grade orchestra students (playing years one through four).
Undergraduate degree or current UG student status required; MuEd or string
performance majors preferred. Teaching certificate optional. Private teaching
experience a plus.

This candidate will work with the MISD orchestra directors to team-teach our beginning
5th-grade students (starting with opening the case to basic position, posture, bow hold,
notereading, pizzicato, bowing, unison playing, and parts playing). During the first year,
we move through EE1 pages 1 to around page 29. Each 5th-grade student comes to
orchestra twice weekly.

This candidate will also lead a small (fewer than 10 students) entry-level, 6th-grade,
heterogenous, daily orchestra class to move students from opening the case to
performing with our second-year students by the late-October “Haunt”cert (grade level
1-2 parts music).

This candidate is enthusiastic, student-centered, and enjoys working with middle
schoolers – someone who brings joy and creativity to the classroom while also nurturing
musical growth through meaningful challenges. Our program is rooted in a culture of
community care, equity, and high expectations, and we’re excited to welcome someone
who shares these values.

Our 5th-12th program will serve over 300 students in the 25-26 school year, so there will
be additional opportunities for hours helping with family lesson nights, orchestra
concerts, and extra rehearsals. Also, our candidate would be welcome to advertise as a
private teacher and would be provided space to teach privately at Islander Middle
School after school. Typical private lesson rates are around $100 an hour in Mercer
Island.

Candidate must meet all background and fingerprint screening requirements required by
MISD.

Hours to begin the school year would be mornings for periods 1-3 (see our IMS daily
schedule here). After “Haunt”cert, we would reconvene pending funding and program
needs as to schedule moving forward.

Compensation is $40 per hour paid by the Mercer Island Orchestra Boosters.

If you’d like to learn more or apply, please email me at sarahkhart@yahoo.com or reach
out (call or text) at 832.651.9494.