Director of Choral Activities, School of Music

Description

The University of Montana School of Music invites applications for the Director of Choral Activities at the assistant professor level. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Direct one large select mixed chorus, one select chamber chorale.
• Teach courses in choral conducting and choral methods and materials.
• Direct/teach one additional ensemble or course to be chosen after hire depending on the interest of the candidate and needs of the department.
• Work closely with the music education specialist and supervise student teachers in the choral area.
• Work proactively with faculty in the vocal area. Active involvement in state and national professional organizations; Provide leadership and outreach to choral music educators throughout the state.

Serving music majors and minors as well as students across campus, the UM School of Music is a leader in music education, performance, and composition with national and internationally recognized faculty and award-winning students. Offering a full complement of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the School of Music is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and is home to the All-Star Band, Choir & Orchestra, Grizzly Marching Band, Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival, UM Summer Music Camps and more. The School of Music is part of the College of the Arts and Media at the University of Montana. https://www.umt.edu/news/college-of-the-arts-and-media.php

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive instructional program in music that develops strong teachers, performers, composers, critical thinkers, scholars, and entrepreneurs. We strive to set and maintain high standards of musical excellence for a broad and diverse community of constituents while simultaneously creating a path to successful careers in the modern economy. We value an interdisciplinary education and work to collaborate with other departments/schools on campus in the belief that such efforts will broaden our sphere of influence, resulting in promotion of the role of arts in academic, local, and statewide communities. We recognize a responsibility to be of service to the greater region by providing leadership and public service to students and teachers in schools as well as communities throughout Montana and beyond.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

Tenure Track Faculty: The School of Music in the College of the Arts and Media
Title: Assistant Professor – Director of Choral Activities
Schedule: Full time academic year (10-months) position beginning August 2025
Salary: $55,000-$65,000 commensurate with experience.
Benefits: Comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Medical Insurance/Mandatory Retirement Contribution, 50% family tuition waiver in all Montana University System colleges and universities, and a wellness program.

Qualifications

• Doctorate required; ABD considered.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching and choral directing at the college level.
• Demonstrated organizational skills in program development, recruiting & outreach.
• Strong background in music education and choral methods.
• K-12 teaching experience preferred.

Application Instructions

Screening of applications will begin after December 8, 2024. Applications will be accepted through January 1, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

To apply, please upload the following materials:

• Letter of Interest – addressing the above qualifications.
• Curriculum Vitae including:
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information.
• Link(s) to conducting and/or teaching video(s) of around 20 minutes. Material may include footage from rehearsals, performances, choral methods or choral conducting courses. Camera angles for rehearsals and performances should be face-on.
• Statement of teaching philosophy.
• Copies of transcripts for all college/university study (unofficial copies acceptable for initial application). Finalists will be required to submit official transcripts directly from the granting institution.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Montana shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, gender, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation (“protected classes”). Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, gender, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request.

Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).