Rodney Gilliam
Birmingham,AL
Summary
Choral Music Educator specializing in curriculum development for diverse student groups. Expertise in vocal coaching and choral conducting, resulting in enhanced student engagement and performance. Successful collaboration with educators to improve music programs and foster a love for music. Proven ability to inspire students and elevate overall performance standards.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Choral Music Teacher
Bessemer City Schools
Bessemer, AL
01.2024 - Current
- Served as Administrative Assistant and Secretary to the senior pastor of the church.
- Managed a high volume church business office and a three building campus. Maintained the master schedule for the pastor, congregation and organizations within the congregation.
- Made travel arrangements both domestic and international travel for the senior pastor and other members of the staff.
- Prepared all correspondence for the senior pastor and organizations within the congregation.
- Served as a liaison between the pastor and community.
- Assisted families of the congregation arrange funerals along with the pastor and various funeral directors.
- Served as the church organist and director of the Senior Choir.
- Organized and conducted weekly group classes to teach basic music theory and performance skills.
- Attended training sessions and workshops related to current trends in the field of music education.
- Performed regular assessments of student development to measure progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
- Engaged students through creative activities such as songwriting exercises or arranging games that are fun but also help them learn important concepts like rhythm or harmony.
- Maintained a positive learning environment by providing encouragement and constructive criticism during lessons.
- Developed relationships with students, parents, staff members, and administrators to ensure the best outcomes for all involved parties.
- Prompted student motivation, participation and listening skills through positive reinforcement and weekly recognition.
- Provided opportunities for each student to reach fullest potential through artistic, creative expression.
- Prepared and delivered lectures to students on music fundamentals.
- Selected and obtained materials and supplies and performance pieces to prepare for classroom instruction.
- Taught students about cultural influences in music and art styles.
- Developed strong working relationships with students and parents to accomplish school and departmental vision and goals.
- Fostered a supportive and positive learning environment that encouraged student engagement and participation.
- Assessed student progress through formal evaluations and informal observations, providing constructive feedback.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive lesson plans covering theory, technique, and repertoire.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, employing strategies to promote respect and cooperation.
- Integrated technology into teaching methods, enhancing interactive learning experiences.
- Completed student records and school-related documentation.
- Utilized assessment tools to track student achievements and identify areas for improvement.
- Implemented a broad range of musical genres into the curriculum to cultivate an appreciation for diverse musical traditions.
- Participated in professional development workshops and seminars to stay current with educational trends and methodologies.
- Advocated for the importance of music education within the school and broader community.
- Formulated and implemented effective lesson plans focusing on principles of music, musicianship, music theory and history.
- Collaborated with school administration to organize music events, including concerts and festivals.
Church Organist/Minister of Music
Thirgood Memorial CME Church
Birmingham, AL
08.2014 - Current
- Hired as church organist and provided organ/piano accompaniment for all choral groups and worship services and any other functions of the church were keyboard accompaniment was needed.
- Later appointed minister of Minister of Music and Organist where all music for choirs of the church (Combined Choir, Male Chorus, Children/Youth Choir) was selected, taught, played and conducted.
- Selected and provided all music (hymns and choral music) for the weekly worship services.
- Provided music for all other church events and engagements as required.
Church Organist/Minister of Music
Metropolitan AME Zion Church
Birmingham, AL
04.2011 - 08.2014
- Hired as church organist and provided organ/piano accompaniment for all choral groups and worship services and any other functions of the church were keyboard accompaniment was needed.
- Later appointed minister of Minister of Music and Organist where all music for choirs of the church (Combined Choir, Male Chorus, Children/Youth Choir) was selected, taught, played and conducted.
- Selected and provided all music (hymns and choral music) for the weekly worship services.
- Provided music for all other church events and engagements as required.
Church Organist/Director of Youth and Children’s Choir
Saint Paul A.M.E. Church
Birmingham, AL
05.2010 - 04.2011
- Serves as church organist for all choirs of the church.
- Assists in the planning of music for various services, funerals when needed.
- Is totally responsible for the youth and children’s choir of the church.
- Any other responsibilities assigned by the Minister of Music of the pastor.
Church Organist/Assistant Director of Music
Second Baptist Church
Chattanooga, TN
01.2002 - 01.2010
- Responsibilities include providing music for all worship services.
- Provide musical accompaniment to all choirs and soloists of the church.
- Teaching vocal parts to choral group members and assisting the music director in any other way deemed necessary.
Music Teacher/Choral Director/Music Classroom Liaison
Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy
Chattanooga, TN
12.2008 - 05.2009
- Taught music at the elementary school level to students in grades Pre-K - 5.
- Coordinated and arranged the course of study for music to directly involve subject matter from the school's curriculum map which had an environmental science focus.
- Served as liaison between other three other music teachers in the school building and the magnet school coordinator to provide continuity in lesson planning and delivery of instruction.
- Served as director of the Calvin Donaldson School Chorus Prepared the chorus to perform for various school and community events.
- Served as pianist for school programs.
System Wide Substitute Teacher
Hamilton County Schools
Chattanooga, TN
01.2002 - 01.2009
- Serves as a substitute teacher primarily in the inner city schools at all levels. Assignments were short and long-term assignments.
- Executes lesson plans as indicated by the regular classroom teacher in their absence.
- Prepares and executes lessons plans when there are none available.
- Prepares and maintains attendance and various other academic records.
- All other duties of a full-time classroom teacher as deemed necessary.
- Conducted parent/teacher conferences.
- Assisted in the school’s office when clerical workers were absent.
- Provided customer service to those entering the school for various reasons.
SASI Clerk/Clerical Assistant
Hamilton County Schools
Chattanooga, TN
01.2002 - 01.2009
- Manages the SASI Computer Data Base System where all vital statistics of the school building are kept.
- Manages attendance records of all students.
- Reports attendance to the school social workers and state caseworkers.
- Enroll and withdraw students as from the data base.
- Manages and maintains the confidential cumulative records of all students.
- A variety of front office/clerical duties.
- Other customer/parent/student service activities on a daily basis.
Layout Station Operator/Graphic Artist
Olan Mills, Incorporated
Chattanooga, TN
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Created documents for high volume publication from materials submitted by the customer using Quark Xpress.
- Ensured that the proof copy of prepared documents sent to the customer for approval was error free.
- Prepared and corrected documents for final proofreading and publication.
- Scanned photos and various other kinds of art into the database for insertion into documents.
- Provided customer service and care to ensure that the final document was to the customer’s satisfaction.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Music
Miles College
Fairfield, AL01.2015
Bachelor of Sacred Music Degree – Pipe Organ Emphasis
The University of Tennessee
Chattanooga, TN01.2006
Bachelor of Music Education Degree – Pipe Organ/Vocal Choral Emphasis
Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL01.1991
Diploma - Business and Office Education
A. H. Parker High School
Birmingham, AL01.1989
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Typing proficiency (55 WPM)
- Telephone communication
- Music performance and theory
- Choral conducting and directing
- Curriculum development
- Classroom management
- Event coordination
- Student assessment
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication skills
- Positive reinforcement strategies
- Diversity and inclusion practices
- Sight-reading expertise
- Leadership abilities
- Voice pedagogy techniques
- Teaching methodologies
- Relationship management
- Repertoire selection strategies
- Aural skills proficiency
- Rehearsal planning techniques
- Ensemble management
Volunteer Experience
Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Museum Docent, Birmingham, AL, 2021-07, Present, Serving as a tour guide at the 16th Street Baptist Church Historic Site., Giving information about the church from its founding to present and answering questions that patrons have about the events that happened September 15, 1963 and the church's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.
Timeline
Choral Music Teacher
Bessemer City Schools
01.2024 - Current
Church Organist/Minister of Music
Thirgood Memorial CME Church
08.2014 - Current
Church Organist/Minister of Music
Metropolitan AME Zion Church
04.2011 - 08.2014
Church Organist/Director of Youth and Children’s Choir
Saint Paul A.M.E. Church
05.2010 - 04.2011
Music Teacher/Choral Director/Music Classroom Liaison
Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy
12.2008 - 05.2009
Church Organist/Assistant Director of Music
Second Baptist Church
01.2002 - 01.2010
System Wide Substitute Teacher
Hamilton County Schools
01.2002 - 01.2009
SASI Clerk/Clerical Assistant
Hamilton County Schools
01.2002 - 01.2009
Layout Station Operator/Graphic Artist
Olan Mills, Incorporated
01.2001 - 01.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Music
Miles College
Bachelor of Sacred Music Degree – Pipe Organ Emphasis
The University of Tennessee
Bachelor of Music Education Degree – Pipe Organ/Vocal Choral Emphasis
Alabama State University
Diploma - Business and Office Education
A. H. Parker High School
Similar Profiles
Adriane GillAdriane Gill
Middle School Math Teacher at Bessemer City SchoolsMiddle School Math Teacher at Bessemer City Schools
Traci KelloggTraci Kellogg
District Psychometrist at Bessemer City SchoolsDistrict Psychometrist at Bessemer City Schools
Quinetta McPhersonQuinetta McPherson
Educator at Bessemer City Schools ( Westhills Elementary )Educator at Bessemer City Schools ( Westhills Elementary )
Electa WoodElecta Wood
Patient Access Representative at Conifer Healthcare SolutionsPatient Access Representative at Conifer Healthcare Solutions
Katahya A. YoungKatahya A. Young
Blood Pressure Management Coordinator at Greater Birmingham Associations YMCABlood Pressure Management Coordinator at Greater Birmingham Associations YMCA