High School Music Teacher/Band Director

Job Type: Full-time, Nine (9) months (192 days) per year according to PPSB

Salary Range: $61,667 - $90,223 for Certified Teachers and $54,560 - $57,970 for Uncertified Teachers (Teachers with Temporary Authorities to Teacher - TAT)

Band Director: 8% Stipend

Ad Valorem - 2.40 parish property (ad valorem) tax mills are dedicated to employee salaries. The annual receipts from this tax are distributed to employees twice a year, one-half in January and one-half in June. The amount of each employee's supplement is the employee's salary multiplied by the annual percentage (computed each year based on actual tax revenues)

Position Summary

The South Plaquemines High School Music Teacher/Band Director provides leadership, instruction, and program development for the school's instrumental music program. This position is responsible for teaching students in concert band, marching band, beginning/intermediate instrumental classes, sectionals, small-group instruction, and other performance-based settings as assigned.

The Band Director works collaboratively with school administrators, district leadership, itinerant music instructors, families, and community partners to build a strong, sustainable band program that promotes student musicianship, discipline, pride, leadership, and performance excellence. The director is expected to strengthen student achievement, increase recruitment and retention, develop the marching and concert band programs, support feeder-program alignment, and provide meaningful musical opportunities for all students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instruction and Student Support

• Provide high-quality instrumental music instruction to students of varying ability levels, including beginning, intermediate, and advanced musicians.
• Teach and reinforce fundamental skills on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, including tone production, technique, music literacy, rhythm, intonation, articulation, sight-reading, and ensemble performance.
• Plan and deliver standards-aligned lessons, rehearsals, sectionals, and performance experiences that support student growth and program goals.
• Develop student proficiency in concert band literature, marching band fundamentals, pep band music, solo and ensemble literature, honor band audition materials, and other appropriate musical experiences.
• Use formal and informal assessments to monitor student progress and adjust instruction based on student needs.
• Establish and maintain high expectations for student musicianship, rehearsal etiquette, attendance, behavior, academic eligibility, and performance preparation.
• Provide individual, small-group, and sectional support to students as needed.
• Create an organized, positive, and disciplined learning environment that encourages student confidence, teamwork, leadership, and pride in the band program.
• Support students in preparation for auditions, assessments, concerts, football games, parades, festivals, honor band opportunities, solo and ensemble events, and community performances.

Program and Ensemble Development

• Lead, organize, and develop the South Plaquemines High School band program, including marching band, concert band, pep band, jazz band, small ensembles, and other instrumental ensembles as appropriate.
• Develop and implement a clear vision for program growth, student participation, musical achievement, and long-term sustainability.
• Plan and lead marching band activities, including summer band camp, fundamentals instruction, show preparation, music rehearsals, visual rehearsals, football game performances, parades, community events, and marching festivals or competitions as appropriate.
• Prepare concert ensembles for school concerts, district events, LMEA assessments, festivals, and other performance opportunities.
• Select appropriate music and instructional materials that support student development, ensemble balance, performance quality, and educational goals.
• Develop a culture of excellence while ensuring the band program remains welcoming, student-centered, and accessible to students with varying levels of prior experience.
• Strengthen recruitment and retention efforts by promoting the band program within South Plaquemines High School and its feeder schools.
• Work with elementary, middle school, and district music staff to support vertical alignment and a smooth transition of students into the high school band program.
• Create opportunities for students to participate in honor bands, solo and ensemble events, district-level events, and other enrichment experiences.
• Promote the visibility of the band program through performances, school events, community engagement, and positive communication.

Collaboration with Itinerant Music Instructors and Staff

• Work collaboratively with district itinerant music instructors, including brass specialists, woodwind specialists, percussion specialists, and other assigned instructional support staff.
• Coordinate with itinerant instructors regarding sectional schedules, instructional priorities, student support needs, and performance preparation.
• Communicate regularly with itinerant instructors regarding student progress, instrument-specific needs, rehearsal goals, and program expectations.
• Collaborate with campus administrators, district arts leadership, classroom teachers, athletic staff, and other school personnel to support student success and program operations.
• Participate in district music department meetings, professional development, planning sessions, and other assigned arts-related activities.
• Support a team-based approach to music instruction that strengthens the overall district band program.

Recruitment, Retention, and Community Engagement

• Develop and implement recruitment strategies to increase student participation in the band program.
• Build relationships with feeder schools to encourage continued participation from beginning band into the high school band program.
• Promote student retention through strong instruction, positive relationships, consistent communication, and meaningful performance opportunities.
• Communicate with families regarding program expectations, schedules, performances, student progress, travel, eligibility, and program needs.
• Encourage family and community involvement in support of the band program.
• Represent South Plaquemines High School and Plaquemines Parish Schools in a professional and positive manner at school, district, community, and public events.
• Work to build a band program that reflects pride in the school and community.

Performances, Events, and Student Supervision

• Plan, coordinate, and supervise band participation in concerts, football games, pep rallies, parades, school events, community performances, assessments, festivals, honor band auditions, solo and ensemble events, and other approved activities.
• Coordinate logistics for rehearsals, performances, travel, equipment transportation, uniforms, instruments, music, and student supervision.
• Supervise students during rehearsals, performances, travel, after-school activities, summer band activities, and other band-related events.
• Ensure all student participation follows district, school, and program expectations regarding conduct, safety, eligibility, attendance, and academic requirements.
• Maintain accurate records related to student participation, attendance, eligibility, inventory, uniforms, music, instruments, fees if applicable, and program communication.

Operational Responsibilities

• Maintain and oversee the care, organization, inventory, and proper use of school-owned instruments, uniforms, equipment, music, technology, and instructional materials.
• Assist with the development of annual program needs, including instruments, music, repairs, supplies, uniforms, equipment, transportation, staffing, and professional services.
• Follow district procedures for purchasing, fundraising, inventory, travel, and financial management.
• Assist with the coordination of marching band staff, band camp staff, clinicians, volunteers, and other approved program support personnel.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe band room, storage area, rehearsal space, and equipment area.
• Follow all district, school, and program procedures regarding supervision, safety, student conduct, transportation, communication, and participation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the principal or district administrator.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Music Education, Instrumental Music, or a related field.
• Valid Louisiana teaching certificate, or the ability to obtain one with appropriate music certification/endorsement.
• Demonstrated knowledge of instrumental music instruction, including woodwind pedagogy, brass pedagogy, percussion pedagogy, ensemble rehearsal, conducting, music literacy, and performance preparation.
• Ability to teach students at varying levels of musical experience, including beginning, intermediate, and advanced students.
• Strong understanding of concert band instruction, marching band instruction, student recruitment and retention, and program development.
• Strong classroom management, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Ability to plan and manage rehearsals, performances, events, travel, and program logistics.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, families, staff, administrators, and community members.
• Ability to work beyond the regular school day for rehearsals, performances, football games, parades, festivals, band camp, auditions, and other band-related events.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, conduct, teach, rehearse, and actively supervise students for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors, including rehearsals and performances in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to lift, carry, move, and transport instruments, equipment, uniforms, music stands, sound equipment, and other instructional materials as needed.
• Ability to travel with students and supervise band-related activities before school, after school, during evenings, on weekends, and during summer band activities as needed.
• Ability to safely monitor students in classrooms, rehearsal spaces, performance venues, buses, athletic events, parades, and community settings.

THE PLAQUEMINES PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

AGENCY THAT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, DISABILITY, SEX OR AGE.