About the Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth

The PMAY Artists’ Initiative is aimed at building a more robust Philadelphia-area training pathway for student musicians from traditionally historically excluded backgrounds, from 5th grade through 12th grade. The Initiative focuses on orchestral instrumental students of classical music who have demonstrated both aptitude and interest in pursuing intensive study and a career specifically in classical music.

The long-term goal of the PMAY Artists’ Initiative is to help address the persistent lack of diversity in the classical music field.

The Initiative will involve close collaboration and resource sharing among several well-established not-for-profit Philadelphia youth and music-education focused organizations. Together, participating organizations will work to identify talented and motivated students early in their training. Musicians selected for the PMAY Artists’ Initiative will be carefully assessed and provided with comprehensive supports – musical and extra-musical (e.g., financial, instructional, mentorship, etc.) to remove many of the barriers that can discourage or derail the training of committed young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds before they are able to realize their full musical potential.

The PMAY Artists’ Initiative is a collaboration of Musicopia, Philadelphia Sinfonia, PYO Music Institute, Project 440, Settlement Music School, and Temple University Music Prep.

About Settlement Music School

Founded in 1908 Settlement Music School, a non-profit organization, is one of the largest community schools of the arts in the United States serving children and adults of all ages at five branches in Pennsylvania located in South, West and Northeast Philadelphia, Germantown, Willow Grove, and its virtual branch, Settlement Music Online. Settlement provides $3 million dollars each year in financial aid and scholarships to 60% of its students. Settlement’s reach is broad, and it continues the principles of its Founders, that there be no barriers to participating in music and arts education.

Settlement Music School is one of only 18 community schools of the arts in the country that has national accreditation through ACCPAS – the Accrediting Commission of Community and Precollegiate Arts School.

 

The Opportunity                          

  • Position: Program Manager of PMAY Artists’ Initiative
  • Reports to: Director of PMAY Artists’ Initiative
  • Primary working relationships with: PMAY Artists and families as well as PMAY teachers and staff

Position Summary

The Program Manager will have these primary areas of responsibility:

  • Design and manage mentorship, engagement, and educational activities for participating families
  • Work with PMAY organizations and their Student Advocates to coordinate their activities with Artists
  • Serve as primary collector and teller of PMAY’s stories of positive impact on students
  • Provide administrative support and representation for the Director, as needed

The primary purpose of the Program Manager role is to develop and coordinate activities that educate participants and families about what they need to know to be successful within PMAY, including what the program is as well as why and how it can be most beneficial to Artists.

Activities for families will focus on helping them understand the nature and demands of pre-professional music study, as well as the world of university and conservatory training programs and the professional world beyond. Coordination of mentors and related activities will include finding mentors who align well with prospective mentees, both in terms of their musical needs and personalities.

Job Qualifications/Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

  • Bachelor of music degree or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree preferred
  • Minimum of two years’ experience working in the field of music education, arts administration or performance sector, strongly preferred
  • Demonstrated dedication and success leading diversity, equity, and/or inclusion initiatives and a deep understanding of related challenges
  • Highly motivated, dynamic, organized, and strategic individual, capable of working effectively with all project constituents (staff, faculty, parents, students, partners)
  • Demonstrated passion for this project and classical music
  • Strong writing skills
  • Able to work some evenings and weekends
  • Comfortable with technology and social media platforms
  • Ability to speak Spanish preferred but not required

Additional Information

Salary is $58,000 with comprehensive benefits.

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Educational discounts for Settlement lessons and classes
  • 403b retirement contributions
  • Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
  • Paid sick, vacation, and personal days
  • Medical expense and dependent care reimbursement
  • Professional development opportunities

The Director and Manager of the PMAY Artists’ Initiatives are employees of Settlement Music School.

The office is located at the Settlement Music School’s Mary Louise Curtis Branch, 416 Queen St, Philadelphia, PA 19147. The Manager may work out a schedule with the Director to work from home on days that do not require in-person PMAY activities.

Settlement Music School, lead partner of the PMAY Artists’ Initiative, is an Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

 

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to the Najib Wong, Director of PMAY Artists’ Initiative at  najib.wong@settlementmusic.org.
Applications will be accepted until position is filled. No phone calls or faxes will be accepted.

For more information, please visit www.pmayartists.org.