Assistant Band Director

The Principia • Des Peres, MO

12d • $51,000

About The Position

The Assistant Band Director advances Principia by supporting instruction, performance, and program development within a comprehensive, vertically aligned band program serving students in grades 4–12. Reporting to the Head Band Director, this role plays a critical part in delivering inclusive, high-quality musical experiences across concert band, percussion, and jazz ensembles—including beginning band instruction open to all students—and collaborates closely with performing arts faculty, arts mentors, and school partners to foster musical excellence, whole-person growth, and meaningful community engagement through music.

Success in this role draws on strong musicianship and conducting skills; effective classroom and rehearsal pedagogy across multiple age levels; collaborative leadership and relationship building; organizational and event support skills for performances, festivals, travel, and guest artist initiatives; flexibility and commitment to evening and weekend responsibilities; and a service-oriented mindset aligned with Principia’s mission and values.

About the Band Program

The Principia School Band Program is a comprehensive, vertically aligned music program serving students in grades 4–12. Grounded in Principia’s mission to cultivate collaborative, creative, spiritual thinkers who take meaningful action to better humanity, the band program provides a supportive and inclusive environment where students develop musicianship, confidence, and character through shared artistic experiences.

The program includes multiple concert bands, percussion ensembles, and jazz ensembles, with beginning band instruction open to all students regardless of prior experience. Students learn and perform in state-of-the-art facilities and participate in a wide range of opportunities, including honor bands, solo and ensemble festivals, guest artist collaborations, commissioning projects, and Upper School travel experiences. Principia also hosts the annual ABC League Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, welcoming students from other local independent schools and reinforcing the band program’s commitment to community engagement, collaboration, and service through music. Across all ensembles, the program emphasizes both musical excellence and whole-person growth, encouraging students to discover their strengths, stretch beyond their comfort zones, and use music as a meaningful way to contribute to their communities.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.

At Principia School, our core value is
LOVE [https://www.principiaschool.org/about/belonging-and-community]. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment [https://www.principia.edu/debm] where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Requirements

• Student of Christian Science preferred
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements [https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements]
• Bachelor's degree in music, music education, or equivalent professional experience
• Experience teaching and conducting instrumental ensembles at the elementary, middle school, or high school level preferred
• Experience teaching beginning band and developing foundational instrumental skills
• Demonstrated background in jazz performance and/or jazz education, including directing jazz ensembles
• Eligibility for a valid teaching credential or ability to obtain one
• Strong knowledge of pedagogically appropriate teaching strategies for instrumental musicians
• Ability to manage multiple ensembles, events, and responsibilities with strong organizational and time-management skills
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues in a team-based performing arts program

Responsibilities

• Assists the Head Band Director with rehearsals, performances, curriculum planning, and program development
• Conducts and rehearses assigned ensembles
• Leads curricular planning in collaboration with the Head Band Director and teaching of Beginning Band at the Middle School and Upper School levels
• Teaches 4th- and 5th-grade band, focusing on fundamentals, music literacy, ensemble skills, and effective practice habits
• Directs Middle School and Upper School jazz band and combos
• Programs age- and skill-appropriate jazz repertoire and prepare jazz ensembles for performances, festivals, and events
• Maintains and oversees the organization, care, and use of jazz-specific instruments, equipment, sheet music library, and rehearsal spaces
• Organizes and manages the annual Middle School Jazz Invitational, including scheduling, communication, and event logistics
• Supports the pep band during the football season, including rehearsals, performances, supervision, and logistics for 2-3 home games
• Leads after-school sectionals, lessons, and daily conferences for students who require extra academic or musical support
• Co-coordinates the annual ABC Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, including literature selection, communication with participating schools, and event execution in collaboration with the band staff
• Oversees organization, maintenance, and repair scheduling of woodwind, brass, and string instruments and supplies, including coordination of piano tuning and maintenance
• Assists with concert production, student supervision, discipline, and performance logistics in a manner that supports character growth
• Prepares and supports students for honor band auditions and district and state solo and small ensemble festivals
• Demonstrates a strong interest and commitment to working with a wide range of students, helping them feel successful and recognize their unlimited potential
• Demonstrates commitment to preparing students to be thoughtful, informed, and active citizens
• Recognizes character education as an essential and natural part of daily classroom and ensemble instruction
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues, coaches, parents, houseparents, and administrators to support shared curricular, instructional, and student-life goals
• Supports mutual curricular and instructional goals with Upper School colleagues through collaboration and regular communication
• Participates as a member of a departmental team, including attending at weekly meetings and collaborative planning
• Serves as an advisor to a group of 8-10 Upper School students
• Supports innovative and engaging student recruitment and retention efforts
• Pursues ongoing professional development, applies best educational practices, and contributes to a professional learning community focused on continuous improvement.
• Participates in required professional development on Monday and Wednesday afternoons
• Fulfills all responsibilities expected of a faculty member, including curriculum development, lesson planning, grading and assessment, administrative tasks, meetings, supervision, family communication, and participation in school events as assigned
• Lead and mentor small groups of students as a Crew Leader, including oversight during fall Character Trips and active participation in House activities
• Attends and supports curricular trips, festivals, service-learning performance opportunities, and school activities, including chaperoning social events and travel
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the school’s mission and programmatic needs

Benefits

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles.
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here [https://www.principia.edu/jobs/highlights], including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level