Middle and Upper School Concert Band Director-Jazz Band Expertise

St. Paul Academy and Summit School seeks candidates for the position of Middle and Upper School Concert Band Director with Jazz band expertise.

About St. Paul Academy and Summit School:

St. Paul Academy and Summit School (SPA) is a coeducational, non-sectarian, college preparatory day school serving more than 920 students in kindergarten through grade 12. Our two campuses are located approximately a mile apart in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving Grades K-5 on our Goodrich Campus and Grades 6-12 on our Randolph Campus. The school draws students from St. Paul, Minneapolis, and throughout the eastern and western suburbs.

Our mission-shaping the minds and the hearts of the people who will change the world-is a promise to our students and our families, and it pushes us to be thoughtful about everything we do. It inspires us to be our best and reminds us that we have the responsibility to respect the unique potential in every child. Our mission gives us purpose and represents our greatest aspirations and values. But most of all, it reflects our deep belief in the talents and capabilities of our students.

For additional information about the school's curriculum, community, and culture, please visit our website at www.spa.edu.

About the Middle School:

The Middle School at SPA is a place where students in Grades 6-8 experience the transition from childhood to young adulthood safely and surrounded by adults who care. Our culture is defined by our warm and welcoming community, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and our innovative and rigorous curriculum. The Middle School curriculum emphasizes wide-ranging exploration and skill development in specific disciplines, taught by teachers who understand and genuinely enjoy students at this age. Organization and accountability are emphasized, and students learn to take responsibility for managing their work.

In the Middle School, students are challenged to embrace new ideas and think independently. The classroom experience is based on increased academic rigor combined with increased freedom of choice and support for the social/emotional needs of young adolescents is provided using Developmental Designs for Middle School. Finally, the advisory system sets clear standards and expectations for individual behavior and community norms.

About the Upper School:

The Upper School is home to students in Grades 9-12 and is characterized by advanced inquiry, lively discussion, deep engagement with topics, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Students develop the habits and relationships that will carry them through high school and into the world of college and beyond. The Upper School's rigorous academic curriculum and seminar-based learning model is complemented by a network of support that includes teachers, advisors, college counselors, and resources for both academic and social/emotional well-being.

For more information about the Middle School or Upper School, please visit the Middle School section and Upper School section of our website.

Positions Begins: August 2025

Status: 1.0, FTE, Exempt

Department: Instructional Faculty, Middle/Upper School

Salary Range: $45,000- $65,000 based on years of experience and level of degree

Benefits:

Benefits include a comprehensive health insurance plan through HealthPartners, Nice healthcare (a free virtual and in-person health plan), dental insurance, vision insurance, life and disability insurance, generous paid time off, and free lunch during the school year. The retirement plan is through TIAA and has a generous matching contribution. The School offers a robust program of professional development, career growth, and leadership opportunities. A sabbatical program is also available. Tuition remission is also available for children of employees as well as complimentary before and after school care.

Position Description:

Successful candidates should possess the ability to motivate, inspire, and teach middle school students of all levels, including beginning instrumental sectionals, and beginning to intermediate jazz band. In addition, candidates should bring a demonstrated ability to lead talented and advanced student jazz band ensembles in the Upper School. Strong candidates will have demonstrated experience teaching adolescents full-time in a Middle and Upper School environment. They should also understand the social-emotional and academic developmental needs of students in grades 6- 12.

Successful candidates should demonstrate a deep understanding of the developmental journey of students, vision and flexibility in program development, and excellent organizational skills. Equally important, we are looking for candidates who are dedicated to developing and applying cultural competence in their teaching, and who can work effectively in diverse environments while interacting successfully with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

In addition, candidates should be able to:

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  Select developmentally appropriate repertoire;

  
  
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  Instruct and direct students in traditional jazz band instruments as well as woodwind (preferred);

  
  
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  Establish a supportive and engaging classroom environment for students;

  
  
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  Work collaboratively with colleagues and parents/guardians;

  
  
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  Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills with colleagues, students, and families;

  
  
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  Advise students effectively and otherwise contribute to the life of the school outside the classroom

  
  

Candidates should support the mission of SPA as well as the visions of Middle and Upper Schools, and should be eager to join a professional community where openness to growth is the norm.

The Jazz Band Director selects the repertoire and rehearses students for the following annual concerts:

December

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  Upper School Pops Concert

  
  
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  Middle School Winter Concert

  
  

April/May

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  Middle & Upper School Jazz Cabaret

  
  
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  Middle School Spring Concert

  
  

Required Skills:

Bachelor's degree in relevant field required; Master's degree preferred. Minimum of three years' experience as band director in an educational setting is required. Developmental Designs for Middle School training preferred; however, the school will provide training before the year begins. All candidates are expected to carry out the mission of SPA, "Shaping the minds and hearts of the people who will change the world."

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume and a list of references. Resume review will begin immediately, but please be advised that the SPA community will be on Spring Break between March 15th and 30th. Hiring will pause during that time and resume on the 31st.

SPA is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff, and maintaining a workplace culture in which all are treated equitably.