Director of Jazz Ensembles

The St. Olaf College Department of Music invites applications for a full-time, tenure track position as Director of Jazz Ensembles at the Assistant or Associate Professor level to begin August 2022. The department seeks candidates with a demonstrated commitment to supporting a thriving and diverse undergraduate music program. Qualifications include:

• Doctorate in jazz studies, jazz performance, or a closely related field [ABDs or Masters with equivalent professional experience will be considered.],
• Proven experience in directing, or potential to successfully direct, an undergraduate jazz program,
• Evidence of, or demonstrated potential to engage in, successful teaching, mentoring, and training of undergraduate music students in a liberal arts context,
• Record of excellence as a jazz ensemble director/band leader,
• Strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, and to the missions of the department and college.
• Active professional career as a jazz performer and/or composer/arranger preferred.

St. Olaf’s Music Department is particularly interested in applicants who can and will advance the College’s goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion. We request that in the letter of application, candidates address their potential to contribute to the St. Olaf community that maintains a diversity of people and perspectives as one of its core values. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups in accordance with our equity goals.

The primary responsibilities involve leading the department’s three jazz ensembles and teaching courses to music majors in both professional and liberal arts degree programs, and to non-music majors. These courses may include such existing music department courses as History of Jazz, and Jazz Improvisation, as well as new courses aligned with the successful applicant’s expertise. Other possibilities for classroom teaching include courses in the musicianship sequence, jazz performance studies and the coaching of jazz combos. Opportunities to teach interdisciplinary courses outside of the music department may arise, and the successful candidate would welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues in other Fine Arts departments in developing innovative cross-disciplinary initiatives. Duties also involve ongoing professional activity and development, service on department and college committees, and actively participating in student recruitment.

Applicants must submit materials online at https://stolaf.hiretouch.com/faculty-postings. A complete application includes:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Graduate transcript (official or unofficial)
4. 20-30 minutes of video recordings of representative jazz ensemble performances

and rehearsal sessions; these should include video from the band members' visual

perspective (camera facing the band leader)

your abilities in teaching and scholarship (St. Olaf solicits letters as soon as you

submit your application.)

Review of applications will begin on October 1 and will continue until the position is filled. Finalist interviews are expected in late November and early December.

Questions about the position, department, or College may be directed to David Carter, Search

Committee Chair at carter@stolaf.edu. Applicants who need assistance with the online application process should call 507-786-3356.

More information about the Music Department can be found at https://wp.stolaf.edu/music/

Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff employees. It is located in Northfield, Minnesota, about 45 minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul with their rich and diverse cultural resources. The College offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. St. Olaf College is one of a handful of liberal arts colleges nationally accredited in art, dance, music and theater.

To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.

St. Olaf College is an equal employment opportunity and voluntary affirmative action employer. The College is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. With regard to its hiring and employment practices, the College prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based upon an individual’s legally protected status including race, color, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance.