Visiting Music Teacher - Bass and Tenor Drum

Introduction

Our Pipe Band and piping and drumming students play an important part in the life of the School, performing at key events, supporting community engagement, and contributing to the rich co-curricular programme across both Schools.

Our Pipe Major is supported by a permanent Drumming Instructor and a team of Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) who deliver individual lessons, lead band rehearsals, and support pupils at performances, competitions, and other band engagements. Together, they help maintain and develop the School’s strong tradition of piping and drumming while providing students with a wide range of musical opportunities.

The School believes that music plays an important role in the education of young people. The Music Departments across the Junior and Senior Schools are led by a Director of Music and supported by curricular music teachers. In addition, a Head of Strings and a Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion work across both Schools, supporting the various bands, orchestras, ensembles, choirs and other musical groups, while also teaching their respective instruments.

Both our Junior and Senior School campuses are ideally situated in the Stockbridge area, with the Junior School located adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the Senior School at Henderson Row.

The Role

The Edinburgh Academy is seeking to recruit a self-employed Visiting Music Teacher (VMT) to teach Bass and Tenor Drum within the Pipe Band from August 2026, or at the earliest opportunity. We anticipate that the role will initially require a commitment of approximately one and a half days per week, with the potential to increase to up to two full days.

We welcome applications from well-qualified musicians with relevant teaching qualifications and/or significant teaching experience, and a proven ability to teach pupils across a wide age and ability range, from Junior School through to S6. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher with a passion for developing young bass and tenor drummers and contributing to the continued success of The Edinburgh Academy Pipe Band.

Teaching may take place across both School campuses, at Arboretum Road and Henderson Row. In addition to delivering individual and small-group lessons, the successful candidate will be expected to support band rehearsals and contribute to the musical development of pupils within the wider Pipe Band programme.

As a self-employed VMT, there is a direct contractual relationship between the teacher and the parent or guardian, and the VMT is responsible for invoicing families directly for agreed tuition fees. The Academy sets a minimum charge for lessons and requires VMTs to pay a Facility Charge for the use of School resources and facilities.

There may also be opportunities to provide additional coaching, support rehearsals, and accompany pupils at competitions, performances, concerts and other School events throughout the year. Such additional duties would be remunerated separately at the agreed hourly rate for that academic session.

Conditions of Appointment

The appointment will be subject to interview and audition, satisfactory references, verification of identity and proof of qualifications.

Child Protection

The Edinburgh Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and PVG Disclosure Scotland.

Equal Opportunities

The school is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications for this post from appropriately qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, race or sexual orientation.

Enquiries

Any enquiries should be addressed to the Pipe Band atjns@edinburghacademy.org.uk

Main Responsibilities:

• Provide weekly individual Bass and Tenor lessons as directed by the Head of the Pipe Band




• Give regular, informative feedback to students on their progress




• Support SQA and other exam candidates as required




• Contribute to school and external performances




• Maintain positive relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues.




• Follow the guidelines and expectations of the Music Department

Ideal Candidate:

• Is an outstanding performing practitioner.




• Has proven success in teaching young people.




• Has thorough knowledge of repertoire, including that required for RSPBA Competitions/PDQB exams




• Is a prompt and effective communicator, in person and by email.




• Has excellent organisational skills.




• Has excellent interpersonal skills and can work effectively as part of a team

Package Description:

Our bank of Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) allows us to offer an impressive array of musical opportunities for our students.

VMTs have a direct billing relationship with the parents / guardians of their students. The School sets a minimum charge for lessons and applies a Facility Charge for use of the resources within the School.

The School believes that music can play an important part in the education of young people. The Music Department comprises a Head or Director of Music as well as curricular music teachers. There is also a Head of Strings and a Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion that work across both Schools to support the various bands, groups, orchestras, ensembles and choirs as well as teach their respective instruments.

Both our Junior and Senior School campuses are ideally situated in the Stockbridge area, with the Junior School located next to the Botanic Gardens and the Senior School at Henderson Row. Visiting Music Teachers are welcomed into the School community and given the use of the School's resources and facilities as above.