Lower Strings Specialist

The Music department at Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar is undergoing an exciting transformation, offering a unique opportunity for a passionate Lower Strings Specialist to join our dynamic team. As we rejuvenate our curriculum across both Primary and Secondary School and introduce new and expanding co-curricular activities, this role represents a thrilling chance to make a significant contribution to our ongoing growth. Depending on the candidate, this role can be offered part-time or full-time, offering flexibility to suit the right person.

The role of Lower Strings Specialist will allow a candidate to have a direct impact on the development of both curriculum and co-curricular music, fostering a love for music in our students and inspiring them to reach their full potential. By working with small groups of students, you will create an engaging and personalised learning experience. Smaller groups allow for more focused attention on each student, helping them develop not only their musical skills but also their confidence and passion for music-making. This aspect of the role is unique and rewarding, enabling you to nurture an individual’s growth in both their musical ability and overall development. This role would suit a creative, driven individual with a passion for inspiring students across both performance and theoretical music.

At Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar, we pride ourselves on our commitment to nurturing students who are not only academically proficient but are also empowered to become responsible leaders in a sustainable, global community. Our Vision is to be the school of choice in Southeast Asia, and we do this by providing a holistic, British-style day and boarding school education that is culturally relevant in a Malaysian context. Your role as Lower Strings Specialist will be central to fulfilling this vision. You will contribute directly to the holistic development of our students, encouraging creativity, discipline, and leadership through music. Music, in all its forms, plays a key role in nurturing well-rounded individuals who are confident, compassionate, and prepared for the challenges of a global society.

By joining our team at this pivotal time of expansion, you’ll not only shape the future of music education at our school but also work within a vibrant and supportive environment that values growth, innovation, and community.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Deliver small group lower strings lessons across the Primary and Secondary School curriculum instrumental carousel.
• Plan, resource, and deliver inspiring one-to-one and small group lessons that are well-structured and interactive.
• Set high expectations to ensure that instrumental scholars are motivated, challenged, and able to reach their full potential.
• Actively contribute to a variety of co-curricular music activities, including small group ensembles and whole-school productions.
• Assess, record, and report on students’ development, progress, and attainment.
• Inspire pupils to sign up for instrumental lower strings lessons and raise the profile of, and enthusiasm for, instrumental lessons across the school.
• Participate actively in the school network and attending relevant departmental meetings.
• Carry out other reasonable tasks as directed by the Head of Department.

Personal characteristics and skills

• Degree or diploma in Music;
• Experience in delivering one-to-one and group lessons with students of a range of ability and experience;
• Ability to organise and lead instrumental ensembles;
• Skills to manage a classroom, keep students focused, and maintain discipline;
• Ability to organise own time effectively, to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to form positive relationships with professionals, young people and their parents/carers;
• Ability to motivate and inspire young people;
• Experience teaching in the classroom and a recognised teaching qualification such as a PGCE;
• Previous performance experiences; 
• Ability to play/teach instruments in addition to the lower string specialism;
• Highly proficient in spoken and written English;
• A genuine interest in young people and their wellbeing;
• An affinity with the School’s boarding ethos and with the values of Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar.

We offer a highly competitive remuneration package:

• Accommodation (including utility bills and maintenance)
• Relocation and annual flight allowances
• Comprehensive private medical insurance
• Excellent Employee Provident Fund (EPF) savings contributions.
• Contract renewal incentives
• Child places for staff children