Director of Bands and Program Coordinator of Music Assistant/Associate Professor of Music - Instru

Join a vibrant, diverse campus community in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Ferrum College’s Department of Music invites applicants for the position of Director of Bands and Program Coordinator of Music. This is a full-time, non-tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, to begin July 2021.

In fall 2018, Ferrum College joined the NCAA Division III, Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and launched the instrumental music program including a marching band, brass ensemble, and a wind ensemble.  In addition to the music minor, Ferrum College launched a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree with two tracks in music business and performance (brass, winds, percussion, voice, piano, and Appalachian Folk Instruments) in August 2019.  The Director of Bands and Program Coordinator of Music  will have the opportunity to build and lead a dynamic music and marching band program, and recruit talented students from the region, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and across the nation.

Responsibilities

TEACHING: The successful candidate will teach supporting courses within the Department of Music, which may include applied lessons (wind, brass, or percussion instruments) and small instrumental ensembles.  Other courses may include Music Appreciation, Music Theory, or Music History.  It is expected that the candidate be a collaborative leader with experience within a high school or college athletics band program, demonstrate excellence in show design, and possess a high level of artistry as a wind band conductor.  The chosen candidate must work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues within the Department of Music, the Athletics Department, and across the College.  The candidate is expected to have excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.  All candidates must provide evidence of ability to teach effectively at the undergraduate level and possess a commitment to a robust liberal arts education.  SCHOLARSHIP: The successful candidate will provide evidence of scholarship, and/or performance activity through appropriate professional venues, and be willing to engage in scholarly projects with faculty and students.  Our faculty serve as mentors and advisors to our students and, therefore, maintain memberships in professional organizations, such as Virginia Music Educators Association or the Midwest Clinic, and represent the College at regional, state, and national band festivals and national-level conferences.  SERVICE: The Director of Bands will dynamically contribute to the growth of the undergraduate Department of Music and be a visible and active representative of the College to external constituencies.  The Director will serve on various committees within the School of Arts and Humanities, as well as those campus-wide. The candidate will be a collaborative leader in all administrative and recruitment aspects of the Ferrum College Panthers Marching Band.  RECRUITMENT: The Director of the Bands will be expected to promote and actively recruit for the marching band through on and off campus activities.  Expectations for recruitment/travel activities and teaching will be equally divided.

Qualifications

The candidate must have completed a DMA or Ph.D. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to lead, motivate, and teach undergraduate students.  Extensive experience and success as a recruiter and as a marching band director is especially valued. A demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence, performance, and professional growth is expected.  Experience creating effective field drill, and music arranging skills, preferred.

This is a 9-month appointment with additional summer stipend for ongoing recruitment activities.

Screening of applications begins immediately, and will continue until the position is filled.  Ferrum College offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, life, STD/LTD insurances, paid holidays, and a 403(b) retirement plan. 

Candidates should submit the following:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae, including evidence of teaching
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Evidence of scholarship and/or research
• Copies of graduate transcripts
• Three recent letters of recommendation
• Link to YouTube/Vimeo channel containing videos of a performance of a complete marching band halftime show which the candidate designed and taught

Complete applications may be sent to:

Office of Human Resources

Attn:  Director of Bands Search

Ferrum College

P.O. Box 1000

Ferrum, VA 24088

Electronic submissions (PDF or Word file attachments) may be emailed to resumes@ferrum.edu

Please Note: A background check is required.

About the College

Founded in 1913, Ferrum College provides lifelong learning and outstanding career and graduate school preparation in a setting of rich natural beauty. A four-year, private, co-educational, liberal arts college related to the United Methodist Church, Ferrum offers nationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs ranging from business and environmental science to teacher education and criminal justice, campus-wide wireless Internet, small classes, and a dedicated faculty.  Surrounded by mountains, lakes, rivers, state parks, and numerous small towns brimming with regional heritage, Ferrum College is located in southwest Virginia approximately 35 miles south of Roanoke, VA and 75 miles north of Greensboro, NC. The area boasts a wide variety of venues for outdoor recreation and cultural enrichment.

Ferrum College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator.  In accordance with all federal, state and local laws, it is the policy of the College not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, or other aspects of employment.