The Role
Direct the musical program for a middle school spring production. Responsibilities include leading vocal rehearsals, teaching musical parts and interpretation, accompanying students on piano, adapting music, supporting auditions and performances, collaborating with the Theater Director, and maintaining an inclusive, organized rehearsal environment. The role requires attendance at rehearsals, tech week, and performances while supporting students with varied musical experience.
Summary Generated by Built In
Spring Production Musical DirectorPosition OverviewPresidio Knolls School seeks a Spring Production Musical Director for our first musical production in the middle school (G5-8). A successful candidate will foster a supportive and joyful musical environment for new and experienced performers and collaborate, laying a foundation for a new part of our performing arts program. A rehearsal schedule estimate is laid out below, but will be specifically set in consultation before January. This position begins in November, 2026, with an anticipated schedule of approximately 3-6 hours per week. Report to the Head of Middle school and the Theater Director.About Presidio Knolls SchoolFounded in 2008, Presidio Knolls School (PKS) is an independent school located in the heart of San Francisco, with approximately 440 students enrolled in preschool through eighth grade. Joyful learning, a sense of belonging, and deep intellectual inquiry permeate our school culture, where we are innovating at the intersection of progressive education and Mandarin immersion.
Responsibilities
To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to: Link
SB848 Disclosure: As required by California law (SB 848 and related Education Code sections), applicants are required to provide a complete list of prior educational employers as part of the application process. By applying for this position, you consent to the school contacting all prior educational employers listed on your application to inquire about any credible complaints, substantiated misconduct investigations, or disciplinary actions, as required by California law.
Presidio Knolls School offers equal opportunity to all, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national origin, ethnicity, age, sex or disability or other protected class status under any applicable laws. Employment will be contingent on successful completion of a background check.
Responsibilities
- Lead music rehearsals with the student cast, including teaching vocal parts, melodies, harmonies, rhythm, and musical interpretation.
- Accompany students on piano during rehearsals, auditions, and performances.
- Transpose, simplify, or adapt music as appropriate to support students’ vocal ranges and abilities.
- Attend approximately 1–3 rehearsals per week, Monday through Thursday between 2:45–5:00 p.m., based on the production schedule.
- Attend auditions and provide piano accompaniment for students on January 5 and 6 from 2:45–5:00 p.m.
- Collaborate closely with the Theater Director on musical preparation, rehearsal priorities, pacing, and the overall needs of the production.
- Meet with the Theater Director in November / December (date to be mutually agreed upon) to review the production schedule, musical selections, and rehearsal needs
- Support students with varying levels of musical experience and help them develop confidence in their vocal and performance skills.
- Maintain a positive, focused, inclusive, and age-appropriate rehearsal environment.
- Communicate proactively with the Theater Director regarding student progress, musical needs, scheduling, or other production-related concerns.
- Attend all required tech week rehearsals from March 22 through March 25, from 3:30–6:00 p.m.
- Accompany performances on March 26 (5:30 p.m. call time) and March 27 (12:00 p.m. call time).
- Follow school policies and expectations related to student safety, supervision, and conduct.
- Strong piano skills, including experience accompanying young singers in rehearsals and performances.
- Ability to read music and confidently teach vocal parts, melodies, harmonies, rhythm, and other musical elements of a production.
- Ability to transpose and simplify music as appropriate to support student performers.
- Experience working with elementary and/or middle school-aged students, preferably in musical theater, music education, or a similar setting.
- Ability to work effectively with students with varying levels of musical experience and ability.
- Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with the Director and other members of the production team.
- Ability to create a positive, supportive, and focused rehearsal environment for students.
- Reliable, punctual, and able to commit to scheduled rehearsals, auditions, tech week, and performances.
- Experience working with elementary or middle school students.
- Stipend Range: $3,000 – $3,500 per production (requested attendance at rehearsals two times per week for 11 weeks, then daily during tech week, overall estimate of 60 hours).
- Payment Schedule: Paid in semi-monthly installments over the course of the production schedule, or as a lump sum split (50% at the start of rehearsals, 50% upon the successful completion of the closing performance).
- Status: Part-time, seasonal, non-exempt. This position is a stipend-only role and does not qualify for the school’s standard benefits package.
To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to: Link
SB848 Disclosure: As required by California law (SB 848 and related Education Code sections), applicants are required to provide a complete list of prior educational employers as part of the application process. By applying for this position, you consent to the school contacting all prior educational employers listed on your application to inquire about any credible complaints, substantiated misconduct investigations, or disciplinary actions, as required by California law.
Presidio Knolls School offers equal opportunity to all, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national origin, ethnicity, age, sex or disability or other protected class status under any applicable laws. Employment will be contingent on successful completion of a background check.
Skills Required
- Strong piano skills, including experience accompanying young singers in rehearsals and performances
- Ability to read music and teach vocal parts, melodies, harmonies, rhythm, and other musical elements
- Ability to transpose and simplify music for student performers
- Experience working with elementary or middle school-aged students
- Experience in musical theater, music education, or a similar setting
- Ability to work with students with varying levels of musical experience and ability
- Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills
- Ability to create a positive, supportive, focused, and age-appropriate rehearsal environment
- Reliability, punctuality, and availability for scheduled rehearsals, auditions, tech week, and performances
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The Company
What We Do
Presidio Knolls School is an independent preschool-through-eighth-grade school in San Francisco, offering a Reggio Emilia-inspired program that combines progressive education with Mandarin immersion. Its joyful, student-centered approach emphasizes curiosity, inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and authentic relationships, helping students grow into bilingual, bicultural, globally competent thinkers and engaged citizens. Serving preschool through grade eight, PKS seeks to nurture young hearts and minds while building academic skills and cultural understanding.
