Lecturer in Music/Interim Director of Choirs and Vocal Studies

The Gonzaga University Music Department in Spokane, Wa, invites invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term faculty position/Interim Director of Choirs and Vocal Studies. This non tenure-track position is at the rank of Lecturer for one year, 2021-2022.

Gonzaga seeks an inspiring choral conductor and educator to lead and administer our choral and vocal studies program for the 2021-2022 year. The successful candidate will demonstrate creativity in diverse programming, excellence in choral pedagogy, and a commitment to inclusive teaching of music majors and non-major liberal arts students. Gonzaga’s choral-vocal program is a collaborative and supportive community of faculty and students, and the successful candidate will contribute to this by collaborating with adjunct vocal faculty and by mentoring students who serve as Choir Council leaders, Choral Ambassadors, and ACDA Student Chapter members. Teaching responsibilities include three choral ensembles: Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and the Gonzaga Glee Club. Musical leadership includes Fall Family Weekend and Candlelight Christmas Concerts, coordinated with choral and instrumental faculty, as well as a staged musical production, presented in partnership with the Department of Theatre and Dance. The annual spring masterworks concert in 2022 with professional orchestra includes a commissioned multimedia work and residency with composer Jocelyn Hagen. An international exchange tour with the Chamber Chorus is planned for May 2022 to Gonzaga’s campus in Florence, Italy.

The Interim Director of Choirs and Vocal Studies will organize and lead educational outreach initiatives, including the annual Choral Leadership Academy and High School Choral Invitational. Administrative responsibilities include managing choral budgets; event scheduling; coordinating with support staff; logistics; publicity for concerts, recitals, rehearsals, and events; purchasing music scores; and supervising staff pianist. Vocal administration includes managing voice area recitals, degrees recitals, juries, and studio assignment of new students. The successful candidate will plan and lead the annual choir retreat with student leaders and the fall choral reunion with University Advancement. Recruitment and advising responsibilities include internal recruitment among student body for robust ensemble membership and administering choral placement for incoming students. Responsibilities of recruiting prospective students to Gonzaga for the 2022-2023 year include communication with high school teachers, professional associations, and Admissions; meeting with prospective students; and supervising and mobilizing Gonzaga’s Choral Ambassadors.

Gonzaga Choirs and the Music Department are committed to inclusive excellence, diversity across the campus community, and access to music for a wide variety of students. In alignment with Gonzaga University’s mission, we welcome applicants with direct expertise, cultural competence and familiarity, and insider knowledge, who can share their lived experiences and demonstrated commitment to issues of social justice, diversity, global engagement, and care for/solidarity with vulnerable and marginalized communities. Candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the departmental ethos and campus climate of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experiences in these areas. Gonzaga choral students are representative of the university’s demographics, and they eagerly research and perform music beyond the European classical canon. The successful candidate will engage further with students in considering cultural
appropriation, social justice in music, intentional repertoire programming by underrepresented composers, and guiding performance practice of singing music from diverse cultural traditions.

The Music Department serves over 850 students in courses each semester, including 150 students in choral ensembles and over 60 in voice lessons. The Department actively serves the University, Spokane, and Inland Northwest communities through educational and performance events. In spring 2019, Gonzaga University opened the new Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, with a concert hall and recital hall, the latter of which serves as home to choral classes. Applicants should be eager to work in a liberal arts setting that fosters faculty collaboration and student engagement both inside and outside the classroom.

Gonzaga University is an internationally prominent university with a faculty dedicated both to innovative teaching and to socially transformative and justice-oriented research. Global engagement initiatives include intercultural exchange tours in Colombia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Florence, where Gonzaga has an established branch campus.

Required Qualifications:
• D.M.A. in Choral Conducting. ABDs considered with the expectation degree is in hand by August 1, 2021.
• Demonstrated success teaching undergraduate singers of diverse backgrounds
• Artistic programming that demonstrates a commitment to diverse choral repertoire and composers with respect to race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, or other identities
• Experience or the potential to contribute to choral outreach, recruitment, and educational initiatives
• Experience fostering inclusive choral communities and mentoring student leaders
• Administrative experience in coordinating concert and event logistics and budget management
• Experience or interest in collaborating with music faculty, students, and community partners on- and off-campus

Desired Qualifications:
• D.M.A. in Choral Conducting
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, diversity, and solidarity with marginalized communities through performances, collaborations, and teaching.
• Regional or national reputation as an exemplary choral conductor, composer, and/or educator
• Experience in music preparation for musical theater or other staged performances
• Experience teaching in a liberal arts setting with students from a wide variety of disciplines
• Interest or experience in collaborating with interdisciplinary colleagues

Application Procedure:
To apply, please visit our website at: www.gonzaga.edu/jobs Applicants are required to complete an online application and submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a statement on multicultural and inclusive teaching, (4) links to videos of the candidate conducting a choral rehearsal (15-minutes) and a recent choral performance (5-10 minutes), and when finalists are selected please provide (5) names and contact information for two professional references to provide confidential letters of recommendation.
Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Timothy Westerhaus, Chair, Music Department, westerhaus@gonzaga.edu. Position closes on June 1, 2021 midnight, PDT. For assistance with your online application, call 509.313.6733.
Gonzaga University is a Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic institution, and is therefore interested in candidates who will contribute to its distinctive mission. Gonzaga University is a committed EEO/AA employer and diversity candidates are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their disability status and/or protected veteran status.