Visiting Lecturer / Director of Music Performance

The Union College Music Department is seeking a full-time, one-year Visiting Lecturer/Director of Music Performance for 2023-2024 to lead the choir and orchestral programs and supervise the performance activities of the department. We anticipate a national search next year for a renewable Lecturer/Director of Music Performance for which the one-year Visitor is welcome to apply. 

The primary responsibility of this position is to conduct the Union College Choir and Union College and Community Orchestra. The choir and orchestra have both traveled on prestigious national and international tours and have a generous endowment for their continued support. The department is looking for someone with a high artistic vision to continue growing these ensembles. The successful candidate should move beyond the traditional repertoire to offer innovative programming that reflects the college's commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Ability to direct a smaller vocal or instrumental chamber ensemble and work with students interested in musical theater is a plus. 

An administrative background in this position is desirable. The Director of Music Performance will oversee between 7 and 12 applied lesson instructors ("Affiliate Artists"). Additional administrative responsibilities may include providing music for official university events, advising students on the music major and minor, registering students for ensembles and private lessons, and planning concert series with the other faculty. Depending upon the needs of the department and the interests of the candidate, the lecturer may also be responsible to teach 1-2 10-week classes during the academic year.  

The campus hosts a distinguished chamber music series (https://capitalregionclassical.org/) held at the acoustically-superb Memorial Chapel. The Department of Music offers an innovative comprehensive music curriculum including courses in music theory, composition, music technology, European music history, global and popular musics, and performance. Our faculty-led ensembles include Choir, Chamber Singers, Early Music Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, a student/community Orchestra, and Japanese Drumming Ensemble. To learn more about the Department of Music at Union College please visit union.edu/music.

Union College (union.edu) is a small, highly selective undergraduate institution with particular strengths in science and engineering. Located in the heart of New York’s Capital District, Union College is only a short drive away from New York City, Boston, and Montreal (approximately three hours). Union College is an equal opportunity employer and strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin and veteran status.

For this one-year Visiting Lecturer position, the successful candidate will have earned at least a masters in music; a doctorate in music is preferred [PhD or DMA]. Review of applications will begin on May 19, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. Please submit the following through our online application (http://jobs.union.edu): (1) a cover letter, including a statement regarding experience working with diverse student populations and/or ability to contribute to a diverse community, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a short statement describing the approach you might take to conducting choir and orchestra and (4) a short statement describing possible introductory and intermediate courses in your specialty that you might teach at a small liberal arts college. Please include links to recent videos of you conducting both orchestra and choir in performance and if possible leading a rehearsal. Please also provide names and contact information for three references when you complete the online application.   

Note: All new hires of Union College are subject to a thorough education, work experience, and criminal history background check.