Senior Lecturer or Professor of Practice Co-Director of UTRGV Mariachi

Senior Lecturer or Professor of Practice - Co-Director of UTRGV Mariachi

Job Class Code: 10049
FLSA: Exempt
Posting Number: FRGV1806
Location: Rio Grande Valley
Division/Organization: Provost - Academic Affairs
Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position: 3 years
Tenure Status: Non Tenure Track
FTE: 1.0

Scope of Job:
UTRGV seeks a dynamic and experienced Mariachi ensemble musician and teacher to serve as Co-Director of UTRGV Mariachi. The rank of senior lecturer or professor of practice (both of which are non-tenure track) will depend upon the candidate's credentials (see requirements below). This 3-year appointment is a 12-month position, beginning September 1, 2025. This position is a continuing appointment, renewable upon successful periodic performance evaluations and budget availability.

Since its beginning in 1999, the UTRGV Mariachi program has set the standard for collegiate Mariachi programs across the country. UTRGV Mariachi is made up of four distinct ensembles, most notably Mariachi Aztlan, which has traveled throughout Mexico and the United States as musical ambassadors representing the beauty of Hispanic music and cultural traditions. Recognitions for performance excellence initiated an invitation from the White House to perform at the signing ceremony of an Executive Order. In collaboration with the Houston Grand Opera, Mariachi Aztlan premiered the stage production of Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, the world's first Mariachi Opera in December 2010. Mariachi Aztlan also premiered the mariachi opera El Pasado Nunca Se Termina with the Chicago Lyric Opera in 2015. Other national performances include the Tucson International Mariachi Conference, San Diego International Mariachi Festivals, Santa Barbara Bowl, CA, Chicago Mariachi Festivals, Mariachi Spectacular, Albuquerque, NM and the Mariachi Extravaganza Competition in San Antonio. Other national performances at prestigious venues include the Hollywood Bowl, the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Mariachi Aztlan has toured with the "The Queen of Mariachi," Aida Cuevas, throughout the U.S., performing at more than 20 distinguished venues across America. Mariachi Aztlan released a CD, Mi Nombre Es Mexico to commemorate their 25th Anniversary.

In addition to successful performing ensembles, the School of Music offers a Bachelor of Music (Teacher Certification) with a concentration in Mariachi. Alumni from this program have led successful Mariachi middle and high school programs throughout the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

The successful candidate will oversee UTRGV Mariachi in collaboration with the current Co-Director and will direct mariachi ensembles, teach applied lessons in their area of specialty (voice or instrumental), and may offer courses in mariachi pedagogy and techniques, depending upon the successful candidate's experience. This position requires a deep understanding of mariachi tradition and performance practices, as well as a commitment to high-quality music education.

As a 12-month faculty member, the successful candidate will teach fall and spring semester courses related to their area of expertise. During the summer sessions, the successful candidate will teach courses, co-direct Mariachi camps for pre-college and college students, and co-lead performance tours and recording projects.

Minimum Qualifications:
Senior Lecturer Minimum Qualifications:• Master of Music or a Bachelor's degree in Music and a Master's degree in a related field (e.g., education, curriculum and instruction, arts administration, etc.,)Professor of Practice Minimum Qualifications:• Bachelor's degree in music with significant professional experience commensurate with a Master's degree.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications:
• Experience performing in Mexican regional music styles• Demonstrated teaching expertise in Mexican regional music styles• Demonstrated success in directing a mariachi ensemble at the high school, collegiate, or professional level• Expertise in different regions and styles of Mexican music. Strong knowledge of mariachi traditions, history, and pedagogy• Expertise in one or more Mariachi instruments (voice, violin, trumpet, guitar, vihuela or guitarron)• Commitment to student success, including supporting students to graduate in a timely manner• Commitment to collaborating with faculty in Mariachi, music education, orchestra, and applied areas

Preferred Qualification:
• Background in arranging or composing for mariachi ensembles
• Connections within the mariachi music community at the local, regional, or national level.


Salary: $75,000-$85,000
License or Certification Required?: No
Number of Vacancies: 1
Desired Start Date: 09/01/2025

EEO Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Open Date: 03/07/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email, and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Security sensitive: All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.
For your application to be properly reviewed and considered the committee is requesting the following documents:

• The application online
• Letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae
• Other Document: Links to recent videos of voice performances, including examples of Mexican regional music styles
• Other Document: Links to recent videos of examples of teaching (Mariachi ensemble and/or private coachings) totaling no more than 15 minutes
• A list of three references
• Unofficial transcripts (graduate and undergraduate - once hired, official transcripts are required)

Additional Information:
UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may
require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is
performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive
and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code
§51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of
Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least
135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement
Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week
and at least 135 days in length.

Please Note:
Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to
demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based
test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the
International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.

To apply, visit https://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/46241 jeid-ae36f729fb1ac645ad970a252c42acdb