Potential new "jazz-related" job for the Rooster??

[Rooster_Ties]

OK, as many of you know I've been job-hunting and career-hunting (really, that describes it better), for about a year. (You can read all about my background, and my career-search, HERE in this other thread I started back in December.

Anyway, just in yesterday's Employment section of the Kansas City Star, I noticed this job listing (I believe that this was the first time it was listed too)...

DESCRIPTION:  Education Specialist.  American Jazz Museum.  Conduct guided tours Tuesday thru Saturday. Create teacher guides. Develop educational programs. Requires work experience with children.

Nothing more about the specific job description, but here’s the “Education” page from the American Jazz Museum’s web-site...

(General site link: HERE, then click on "Education" - or see the quote below):

Education Programs - For kids of all ages

The American Jazz Museum's Education Department strives to

enhance the cultural interest in America's classical music

-- jazz. As educators, our goal is to provide an array of

learning experiences to a variety of audiences, to serve as

a resource for diverse communities and to broaden public

awareness of the artistic, historical and cultural

contributions jazz has made to the American experience.

School Tours

School tours are designed to make every group's visit to

the American Jazz Museum enjoyable and educational.

Interactive guided tours provide an enhanced experience of

the exhibits and facilities. Please call (816) 474-8463 to

make a reservation.

Jazz Storytelling

The American Jazz Museum's Jazz Storytelling program

marries the art of the griot with live instrumental music

and presents it to children (3-9) as an introduction to

America's classical music, jazz. This program exposes young

children to the sound of jazz (rhythm, harmony and melody),

and to the instruments that create jazz.

WeeBop on the Vine

WeeBop on the Vine is the American Jazz Museum's annual

Youth Music Festival. This outdoor jazz fest is held in

late summer and designed to encourage young people to

develop knowledge of and an appreciation for jazz by

witnessing their peers perform the art. Children of all

ages are invited to participate in the jazz centered

activities while enjoying the next generation of jazz

artists performing on the main stage.

Now, truth be told, I really don't have the "work experience with children" thing on my resume. BUT, I certainly think I have enough subject-matter expertise to do this sort of job. And, my skill-set is varied and robust enough to probably handle it too.

Also, I think I can provide half-a-dozen local references, who can speak to the depth of my jazz knowledge. (And by references, I mean notable local jazz musicians, and a couple other influential folks on the jazz scene – all of whom I've known for years, and perhaps more importantly, who are all well known and very well respected in the Kansas City area.) At the very least, I'm hoping I can get an interview.

This would be a HUGE departure from my prior work experience, given that I worked for 8+ years in computer software development, as a business analyst (I wasn't a technical guy, and did very little programming). But I've been looking to get into some sort of meaningful not-for-profit work, and my wife and I are big fans of museums (we go in nearly a dozen every year, and some years more!!), and I've given some very serious thought to some sort of museum-related job, either doing development work, or something related to being a museum curator, or similar museum-related work.

My first bachelor's degree is in Computer Science, but I also have a second bachelor's degree in Music. (Not a double major – they are two separate degrees, the first one I complete in 1991, and the second one in 1993.)

Anyway, what's the general reaction of the board to this idea??

I'm sure the pay won't be great, but honestly – I’ve been looking more for meaningful work, than in any way trying to approximate my prior salary. Anybody got any guesses as to what a job like this might pay?? I'm hoping it's at least in the upper 20's, or maybe even in the low 30's. (That's less than half of what I made before – but them days is long gone.)

Edited April 23, 2004 by Rooster_Ties

[7/4]

I don't know what it would pay, it's should be interesting and man, there's got to be a way to get new releases free! Comps! Promos!

[Man with the Golden Arm]

Now, truth be told, I really don't have the "work experience with children" thing on my resume.

You are on this board, no?

Looks great! As funding cuts across our schools cull this kind of thing first off it's nice to see something organized to battle that state of affairs.

[Chuck Nessa]

Go for it!

[Rooster_Ties]

Oh, one other little thing. And perhaps this won't matter one tiny bit. Or perhaps it might.

The American Jazz Museum is located down at 18th & Vine, in the historically Black neighborhood where all the clubs were that Charlie Parker, and Count Basie, and hundreds of other musicians played in the 40's and beyond.

And, my perception of the Museum is that 70% or 80% (or 90%??) of the employees there are African American, particularly those in leadership/management positions (nearly everyone, best as I can tell).

I'm NOT suggesting there would be any reverse descrimination going on in their hiring practices there, but it is possible. (Oh, by the way, I'm white - I think you all know that.)

And, I might add, I don't think it would be that suprising if there were such hiring practices going on -- nor do I think that this is necessarily the worst thing that one could imagine happening.

Anyway, this kind of job would be challenging, on a number of levels, including the race issues I might face. (Which, come to think of it, might be very interesting -- and might give me an opportunity to learn quite a bit about race relations, a subject I'm pretty interested in as well.)

Anyway, I DON'T want to make this the focus of this thread, but I did think I'd better mention it, if for no other reason than perhaps some of you might have some advice for me, specifically in terms of how to handle myself during the interview process.

[jazzbo]

What Chuck says for sure. You may well be THE MAN for THE JOB!

[couw]

if they call it "america's classical music" you may need to pep up on your kirk. give them kids some of kirk's music, some of his bitterness, a lot of his joy, and more of his stamina.

still feel up to it?

[PHILLYQ]

RT,

You have a great deal of knowledge, and anything you don't know someone on this board knows, you can handle mass amounts of paperwork, you're enthusiastic about the music(Do you like kids/can deal with groups of them?), do you need anything else? The money may not be great, but how many people get to do something that relates to something they love? That may be worth a lot. Go for it, and impress upon the interviewer that you are knowledgable and that you'd love to share that with kids.

[7/4]

Anyway, I DON'T want to make this the focus of this thread, but I did think I'd better mention it, if for no other reason than perhaps some of you might have some advice for me, specifically in terms of how to handle myself during the interview process.

This is a public forum.

Remember: FREE SHIT, FREE SHIT.

[7/4]

I'll say this again: FREE SHIT.

This is a searchable forum....

[7/4]

There's perks RT, go fer it!

[Rooster_Ties]

I'll say this again: FREE SHIT.

What's your point??

I'm looking for a job. And I'm looking for a job I can actually do, and one that is a little more meaningful (at least to me) than what I did for the last 10 years. I'm also pretty "gun shy" about this "job thing" after the last 3 or 4 years of my employment experience, after having been pushed out by lots of people who were way more talented at the things I was trying to do. (My talents are just stronger in other areas, and I really wasn't cut out for the world of "software design".)

In short, I could care less about the "free shit", in the grand scheme of things.

I want to find something worth doing, that pays at least a little bit, something decent --- so I can contribute some towards my mortgage payment, which my wife has been paying 100% since the beginning of 2003, along with paying for everything else

So, Mr. Free Shit, what's you point??

Edited March 22, 2004 by Rooster_Ties

[Brandon Burke]

Can't speak for what they are willing to pay but god knows they need people in there who understand that jazz didn't stop altogether in 1960.

[Rooster_Ties]

Can't speak for what they are willing to pay but god knows they need people in there who understand that jazz didn't stop altogether in 1960.

Well, that's for damn sure. And you've been there too, I presume. So you know first-hand how there's a slightly Wynton-esque quality about the American Jazz Museum. Nothing 'evil', mind you - but jazz does stop around 1960, maybe 1962 or 1963 some days.

Edited March 22, 2004 by Rooster_Ties

[7/4]

In short, I could care less about the "free shit", in the grand scheme of things.

I want to find something worth doing, that pays at least a little bit,

something decent --- so I can contribute some towards my mortgage payment,

which my wife has been paying 100% since the beginning of 2003, along with paying for everything else

So, Mr. Free Shit, what's you point??

Sorry if I ruffled yer feathers Rooster. You might make less doing what you like, but you should get all those promos all those other music biz types get. I'm in the magazine biz, I see what those guys get.

And...there has to be some way of writing off yer own purchases as a biz expense. Tax breaks!

In other words, you would be part of the the biz instead of a fan.

Sheesh!

[Rooster_Ties]

My hunch is that I wouln't necessarily being getting lots of promos in an "Education"-type position, as best I can tell. Perhaps a few, here and there, but I wouldn't be in any position to "program" music (like in 'radio'), so I can't see how I'd be much of a part of the windfall of promos that I understand some others get.

But who knows, maybe there'd be a few, here and there.

But, the promos and perks are the least of my concern, at this point.

[Brandon Burke]

Well, that's for damn sure. And you've been there too, I presume. So you know first-hand how there's a slightly Wynton-esque quality about the American Jazz Museum.

That's pretty much what I'm saying, yes.

[Rooster_Ties]

Well, that's for damn sure.  And you've been there too, I presume.  So you know first-hand how there's a slightly Wynton-esque quality about the American Jazz Museum.

That's pretty much what I'm saying, yes.

In their defense, when they first opened I think they were originally called "The Kansas City Jazz Museum" - or maybe even the "Kansas City Jazz Hall of Fame". I forget the exact name.

It was only two or three years after they first opened, that they changed their name to the "American Jazz Museum".

Their pre-1960 focus makes some sense, given how they started. Still, one would hope for a more complete view of the history of jazz, including some decent representation of styles from the 60's and beyond. Or at least some movement in that direction.

[alejo]

Sounds like a great opportunity! Why don't you give the museum’s HR department a call and set up an informational interview. This way you will get a chance to meet some of the people who work there and they in turn will be able to put a face to your resume. They will also see your obvious enthusiasm and knowledge about the subject matter. I apologize if this is a redundant suggestion. Good luck with the career change! I too am looking at other work/life options.

[catesta]

Now, truth be told, I really don't have the "work experience with children" thing on my resume.

You are on this board, no?

[JSngry]

Interview. Be yourself. Be respectful and/but enthusiastic. Be confident but not arrogant. Expect some racial vibes, but don't get thrown by them. Odds are it's a "test" to see just what kind of a white man are you any way. It's jazz - get used to it, because it's really fun once you know what the deal is. It's the people who never figure out what the deal is that are a drag. And if they got that itallendedin1960 trip going on, roll with it. You can learn stuff even from people who are wrong. Just don't expect an immediate shift in emphasis form Jay McShann to Andrew Hill. Ain't gonna happen. But Jay McShann is a world of cool unto himself, dig? If you can apply an open mind and a closed mouth in appropriate mesures at appropriate times, you can teach and learn at the same time, and try beating that with a stick!

Dude, what's the worse that could happen? You remain unemployed, right? What's the best that could happen? You get a gig, right? What's in between? Imperfection, right? You gonna get that no matter what, right? Might as well have a gig in the proce$$.

And don't never, EVER knock free shit. Like the song says, "The best shit in life is free".

[Brad]

RT, it sounds to me like you are qualified for this position. You may not have worked with children a great deal but then again many people who work in day care centers haven't either.

I don't know if this will be a career that you want to pursue because who know how well it pays, perks, etc. and chances for advancement but one can never tell where a certain job leads. In any event, since you have been unemployed for awhile it doesn't hurt to have an interview. It may turn out that if you get the position that this may not be what you want to do with the rest of your life but now this is time right time to find out, so go for it and good luck.

[medjuck]

Don't underestimate yourself. A degree in computer science is a great asset in almost any job nowadays. (Wish I was more computer literate.) And obviously a dgree in music is an asset for this job.

[Jazzmoose]

Hey, like Jim says, what can it hurt to go for it? If they don't hire you, well, you're in the same boat you are now, but with more experience in life. Personally, it sounds like the process itself could be enlightening in some ways, you know? Go for it!

[Rooster_Ties]

OK, I've probably already got a pretty decent knowledge of jazz history, certainly enough to demonstrate some serious interest in the subject.

But only knowing what little any of us know about the position (see the first post in the thread for all the details I have, at least so far), what do you all think would be the 3 most important specific skills most needed by someone for this kind of position?? I mean, I certainly am starting to think about this myself, but I'd be curious to hear what others here think -- to see if there's anything I'm forgetting.

I'm headed down to tour the museum tomorrow (Tuesday), first thing in the morning (they're closed on Mondays, otherwise I would have been there today). Been a good year or two since I've been through the place, and I really need to see all their exhibits again, and refresh my memory about what they've got on public display.

Probably need to take some notes, and at least give some thought to how I might go about leading a tour of the museum, including some detailed notes about two or three specific exhibit areas. I feel like I need to get much more comfortable with the place, and really get to know it again. (I think I've only been through the museum part twice since it opened, though I go to the real 'working' jazz club it's attached to quite a bit. Best club in town, hands down.)

So much to think about. I probably need to bone up on my early jazz history too. 75% of my jazz knowledge is deeply rooted in the 60's and beyond. I'm pretty decent on my 50's knowledge, but man -- when it comes to the 40's and before, I'm really a little more fuzzy about the details. I know lots of pre-1950 names, and can probably make some general statements about lots of them and be halfway right. But I really need to get a little more familiar with all that early jazz history.

(Maybe it's time to get out those tapes of the entire Ken Burns doc, which I never did watch all of yet. I taped the whole thing, but only watched about the last half of it. I know, it's Ken Burns - still, probably a quick way to remind myself of lots of stuff I used to know better. Better yet, I have a number of general jazz guides, and just skimming through all of them will probably remind me of a bunch too.)