Zachary Harris

• Hired to revitalize and grow orchestra program
• At time of hiring, program hand less than 20 students total.
• Before 2020 pandemic, program was slated to have over 100 students
• Since pandemic, program has grown back to over:
• 60 Orchestra students
• 24 Modern Band Students

Responsibilities:

• Plan and deliver instruction for five distinct daily classes: Beginning Orchestra, Intermediate Orchestra, Advanced Orchestra, Modern Band, and Tenor/Bass Choir.
• Develop curriculum in alignment with national standards and district music scope and sequence.
• Select appropriate musical pieces for multiple concerts throughout the academic year.
• Manage school instrument inventory, ensuring instruments are properly maintained and available for student use.
• Curate and expand the orchestral library to provide diverse repertoire for student learning.
• Conduct auditions to assess student proficiency and assign appropriate ensemble placements.
• Administer and maintain budgets for various programmatic needs.
• Coordinate field trips and festival participation, including logistical arrangements such as booking buses, securing lodging, and planning itineraries.
• Serve as a member of the district's Budget Consensus Committee, contributing insights to address financial shortfalls and make informed decisions.
• Additional Skills and Qualifications:
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with students, colleagues, and district stakeholders.
• Financial acumen to manage budgets and make prudent financial decisions.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate diverse responsibilities within a dynamic educational environment.
• Dedication to promoting student growth and fostering a supportive learning community.

Responsibilities:

• Spearhead student recruitment efforts for 3-week European tour.
• Maintain ongoing communication with students and parents to convey travel requirements, deadlines, and necessary documentation for international travel.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop audition materials and facilitate audition processes to select participants for tour.
• Contribute insights and expertise to assist in selection of appropriate repertoire for tour, considering factors such as student skill levels and cultural relevance.
• Serve as a chaperone and logistical coordinator, accompanying students from their camp in North Dakota to various destinations across Europe and back.
• Ensure safety and well-being of students throughout the duration of tour, implementing protocols for emergencies and unforeseen circumstances.
• Facilitate cultural experiences and educational opportunities for students during their time abroad, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation through music.

Responsibilities:

• Selected as the first representative from Montana through a rigorous interview process to join the prestigious NAfME CAN Project.
• Collaborate monthly with a diverse team of educators from across the country to develop and implement culturally relevant and responsive educational materials for music teachers and their students.
• Contribute expertise and insights to the development of permanent and applicable Professional Learning Community (PLC) materials for nationwide deployment, fostering ongoing professional growth and collaboration among music educators.
• Lead discussions and workshops to facilitate the sharing of best practices, innovative teaching strategies, and culturally responsive pedagogies within the NAfME CAN Project community.
• Provide guidance and support to educators in integrating culturally relevant content and practices into their music curriculum, promoting inclusivity and diversity in music education.
• Contribute to the creation of resources, including lesson plans, curriculum guides, and instructional videos, designed to enhance the cultural competence of music educators and enrich the learning experiences of their students.

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong background in music education, with expertise in curriculum development, instructional design, and pedagogical practices.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and engage with educators from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching practices and a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in music education.
• Experience in facilitating professional learning communities and leading professional development workshops or seminars.
• Ability to synthesize complex concepts and research findings into practical and accessible resources for educators.
• Dedication to the mission and values of NAfME, with a passion for advocating for high-quality music education for all students nationwide.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate the evolving needs and priorities of the NAfME CAN Project and its stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Liaise with representatives from 54 MHSA participating high schools, ensuring clear communication and coordination of festival logistics.
• Oversee and manage all aspects of festival registration, including processing registrations, organizing participant information, and maintaining accurate accounting records.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive schedule for the festival, including performance times, adjudicator sessions, and logistical details.
• Recruit, train, and schedule volunteers to support various festival activities, such as set-up, take-down, and operation of performance spaces.
• Secure and coordinate performance venues, overseeing reservations, scheduling, and logistical arrangements for set-up and take-down.
• Manage contracts, lodging arrangements, travel arrangements, and payment for adjudicators, ensuring a smooth and professional experience.
• Collaborate with vendors to secure necessary services and products for the festival, negotiating contracts and overseeing vendor relations.
• Foster strong relationships with MHSA officials and Helena School District administrators, facilities managers, and budgeting departments to ensure alignment with organizational goals and requirements.

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in event planning and coordination, with a focus on managing large-scale events and festivals.
• Proficiency in budget management and financial accounting, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to problem-solve and make decisions independently, while also working collaboratively within a team.
• Knowledge of music education and performance, with an understanding of the needs and expectations of participating schools and performers.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate unforeseen challenges and changes during the planning and execution of the festival.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with secondary host site Bozeman, who host half of the large ensemble portion of the festival.
• Oversee and manage all aspects of festival registration, including processing registrations, organizing participant information, and maintaining accurate accounting records.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive schedule for the festival, including performance times, adjudicator sessions, and logistical details.
• Recruit, train, and schedule volunteers to support various festival activities, such as set-up, take-down, and operation of performance spaces.
• Secure and coordinate performance venues, overseeing reservations, scheduling, and logistical arrangements for set-up and take-down.
• Manage contracts, lodging arrangements, travel arrangements, and payment for adjudicators, ensuring a smooth and professional experience.
• Collaborate with vendors to secure necessary services and products for the festival, negotiating contracts and overseeing vendor relations.
• Foster strong relationships with MHSA officials and Helena School District administrators, facilities managers, and budgeting departments to ensure alignment with organizational goals and requirements.

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in event planning and coordination, with a focus on managing large-scale events and festivals.
• Proficiency in budget management and financial accounting, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to problem-solve and make decisions independently, while also working collaboratively within a team.
• Knowledge of music education and performance, with an understanding of the needs and expectations of participating schools and performers.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate unforeseen challenges and changes during the planning and execution of the festival.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute instruction for five to six daily classes across two high schools: At CHS, Beginning Orchestra, Intermediate Orchestra, Advanced Orchestra, Modern Band, and at HHS: Intermediate & Advanced Orchestra
• Develop comprehensive curriculum aligned with national standards and district music scope and sequence, ensuring consistency across both schools.
• Curate diverse musical repertoire for multiple concerts throughout the academic year, catering to the skill levels and interests of student ensembles.
• Manage instrument inventory and maintenance procedures across both schools, ensuring instruments are in optimal condition for student use.
• Expand and organize the orchestral library, providing students with a wide range of musical selections for educational and performance purposes.
• Conduct auditions to evaluate student proficiency and make ensemble placement decisions, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
• Administer and monitor budgets for various programmatic needs, exercising financial acumen and strategic planning to optimize resources.
• Coordinate field trips and festival participation for students from both schools, overseeing logistical arrangements and ensuring a seamless experience.
• Serve as a valued member of the district's Budget Consensus Committee, offering insights and recommendations to address financial challenges and support program sustainability.

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

• Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities, adept at managing multiple responsibilities across two educational settings.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with students, colleagues, and district stakeholders, fostering strong relationships and promoting teamwork.
• Financial acumen and budget management skills to make informed decisions and maximize resources for program success.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate the dynamic demands of a dual-school teaching position, adjusting strategies as needed to meet student needs.
• Commitment to fostering student growth and cultivating a supportive learning community, prioritizing student success and well-being above all else.

• Work with residential students with exceptionalities. Teach daily general music, music history, music appreciation, keyboard, guitars, and composition.
• Trained and certified in CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) including deescalation and holds.
• Hold multiple concerts/performances involving all students and staff.