High School Band Director at KIPP Public Schools in New Orleans, LA

Together | A Future Without Limits

KIPP New Orleans Schools (KNOS) is a non-profit network of 13 college/career-preparatory, public charter schools serving approximately 5,000 elementary, middle, and high school students, and over 2,000 alumni.  While each of our schools is as unique as the community to which it belongs, we are united around a shared promise: To build academically excellent schools that create unlimited opportunity for all students. For 20 years, we have a proven track record of preparing students for success in college, career, and beyond.

At KIPP, you have the freedom to innovate and the support to grow. You never stop learning, and you’re part of a national network that’s leading the way in getting students from underserved communities to and through college, and beyond. As the largest charter school management organization in New Orleans, we serve nearly 15% of the city’s students, so we need passionate teammates to join us to make their impact at KIPP. Where will YOU take us?  Click here to learn more about teaching and working at KIPP!

KIPP New Orleans Schools seeks a passionate and results-driven High School Band Director to build and lead a high-quality band program that honors and contributes to the rich musical traditions of New Orleans. From second lines to Mardi Gras parades, band programs are a cornerstone of the city’s cultural identity and a defining feature of legacy public high schools. This role is an opportunity to develop student musicianship, pride, and performance excellence while cultivating a program that is both artistically vibrant and academically aligned.

The Band Director will design and implement a comprehensive band program that includes concert band, marching band, and performance ensembles, with a clear vision for growth and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Program Vision and Growth

• Develop and execute a compelling vision for a high school band program that reflects the cultural heritage of New Orleans and the mission of KIPP New Orleans Schools.

• Create and implement a strategic 5-year plan to grow and sustain the band program to at least 75 students, with annual enrollment growth of 10% or more, including strong recruitment, retention, and feeder middle school alignment. 

• Design and implement effective recruitment strategies for middle school students with a strong focus on KIPP New Orleans middle schools.

• Build strong relationships with students, families, alumni, and community partners to support program growth and visibility.

Instruction and Student Development

• Plan and deliver rigorous, standards-aligned instruction in instrumental music for students at varying skill levels.

• Develop students’ technical proficiency, music literacy, and performance skills.

• Foster a joyful, disciplined, and inclusive classroom culture that promotes teamwork, leadership, and pride.

Performance and Cultural Engagement

• Lead and coordinate performances at school events, community events, parades, and competitions.

• Ensure the band program actively participates in and contributes to New Orleans traditions such as second lines, Mardi Gras events, and other cultural celebrations where appropriate.

• Build partnerships with local musicians, universities, and arts organizations.

Marching Band and Summer Programming

• Plan, organize, and lead an annual summer band camp, including rehearsals, logistics, staffing, and student engagement.

• Design and execute a competitive and engaging marching band season, including show design, rehearsals, and performances.

Recruitment and Retention

• Develop and implement strategies to recruit incoming students into the band program, including outreach to middle schools and community events.

• Maintain high levels of student engagement and retention through strong relationships and program excellence.

Operations and Logistics

• Manage inventory, maintenance, and procurement of instruments, uniforms, and equipment.

• Oversee the band budget and fundraising efforts, while remaining fiscally compliant with network policies at all times.

• Coordinate travel, scheduling, and compliance with school and district policies, including oversight of all auxiliary units to ensure alignment with and consistent adherence to network expectations. 

Collaboration and School Engagement

• Collaborate with school leadership and staff to align the band program with school priorities and culture.

• Communicate regularly with families about student progress, expectations, and opportunities.

• Serve as a positive ambassador for KIPP New Orleans Schools in the community.

• Bachelor’s degree in Music Education or a related field (Master’s preferred).

• Valid Louisiana teaching certification (or ability to obtain).

• Demonstrated experience leading a high school band program, including marching band.

• Strong understanding of and appreciation for New Orleans musical traditions.

• Proven ability to grow programs and drive student participation.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in urban schools or with diverse student populations.

• Experience building programs from the ground up or significantly expanding enrollment.

• Connections to local music networks and community organizations.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The physical demands and environmental conditions described below are representative, but not exhaustive, of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. All of these physical requirements should be able to be performed with clarity, coherence and connectedness of the KNOS vision, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to communicate information and ideas effectively so others will understand. 

• Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations, including noisy environments such as cafeterias and playgrounds, to more moderate situations such as classrooms or large group professional settings.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and various digital devices, and one needs to be able to read, analyze, and interpret data (emails, memos, letters, etc.) and maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time.

• Ability to meet the physical demands of classroom teaching (standing, circulating, occasional lifting/moving of classroom materials); Able to sit and work at a desk/computer for extended periods of time.

• Ability to safely lift and move up to 50lbs independently

• Duties may require traveling to other school facilities using employee's personal transportation.

• This is a full-time, 100% on-site position; Regular work hours, Monday through Friday, will be established with your supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Work Authorization

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Commitments

• Maintain a friendly, respectful, professional and courteous attitude with all people, including all KNOS employees, Board members, community and philanthropic partners, funders, and vendors.

• Model superior customer service behavior by maintaining positive relationships with all KNOS stakeholders.

• Contribute as a positive and effective team member; work effectively with other team members to accomplish KNOS goals. 

• Be prompt and available for flexible scheduling; be honest and fair in all professional dealings.

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, and we routinely engage in compensation analysis for all roles across the organization to ensure that we remain competitive in the market

• 403(b) retirement plan – KNOS matches 100% of employee contribution up to the first 5% of salary and any bonuses. Vested immediately in 403(b)
• KNOS employees are eligible for health and wellbeing benefits starting the first day of the month following their Date of Hire
• Comprehensive, customizable health coverage, including disability, life insurance, hospital indemnity, FSAs for health and dependent care, and free dental and vision for employees
• KNOS employees are provided ~30 paid holidays and additional paid time off
• Opportunities for on-going professional development

Disclaimer:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• This job description shall not constitute or be construed as a promise of employment or as a contract between KNOS and any of its employees.

KIPP New Orleans Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

At KIPP New Orleans Schools, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran service, genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. KNOS expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on any of the characteristics listed here. Improper interference with the ability of KNOS employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

KNOS complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the KNOS has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Contact Us:

Please contact our regional Talent Team at talent@kippneworleans.org with any questions.