Director, School of Music

The College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah invites nominations and applications for the position of Director of the School of Music (effective July 1, 2022). The NASM-accredited School of Music at the University of Utah offers a comprehensive program of music study, maintaining a balanced emphasis on both performance and scholarship while presenting students with the training necessary to excel within their chosen field. The School of Music strives to create a diverse and inclusive, rigorous and responsible environment that reaches across disciplines to foster highly adaptive creators and thinkers. The student body is comprised of approximately 300 undergraduates and 100 graduate students seeking the following degrees: BA, BM, MA, MM, DMA and PhD. Enriching the university and local communities through numerous performances each year, the School fosters students’ individuality and creativity through individualized instruction and mentored inter-disciplinary scholarship. Strong programs in performance, theory, composition, music education, conducting, and musicology have produced artists, creators, scholars, and teachers who have made significant contributions to the field of music regionally, nationally, and internationally. 

The School of Music is committed to removing barriers that individuals from underrepresented groups have traditionally encountered; strives to recruit faculty who will further enhance our diversity; and makes every attempt to support their academic, professional, and personal success while they are here. The University of Utah recognizes that a diverse faculty benefits and enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community. This institution offers benefits to same- and different-sex domestic partners and spouses. Additional information about The School of Music can be found at http://www.music.utah.edu/. 

The School of Music is one of five academic units in the College of Fine Arts, which also includes Art & Art History, Dance, Film & Media Arts, and Theatre. Additional information about the College of Fine Arts can be found at https://finearts.utah.edu. We strongly encourage applicants to review our college’s and university’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at https://finearts.utah.edu/about-us/justice-equity-diversity-inclusion and https://diversity.utah.edu. 

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will hold a terminal degree in music or equivalent experience that would warrant consideration in lieu of a terminal degree. They will have notable and distinguished prior experience as a music department/division chair, director, or dean, or significant experience as a recognized leader in the profession. They will also exhibit strong, visionary leadership, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and significant organizational abilities; demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and provide evidence of significant creative and/or scholarly research productivity. The strongest candidates will recognize that music has strong potential for social change through engagement with underrepresented communities, and their work will reflect this. Applicants should be able to achieve the rank of Professor with tenure, demonstrating a distinguished academic career outside administration. The School of Music’s current policy on Retention, Promotion, and Tenure can be found at https://music.utah.edu/documents/faculty-handbook/RPT-guidelines.pdf. Salary will be commensurate with experience. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: The School of Music Director will (1) provide strong, collaborative, and transparent leadership for the school within the context of a research university; (2) expand and lead efforts that support our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; (3) expand and lead student recruitment efforts; (4) oversee curricular activities; (5) lead school strategic planning; (6) administer school finances, resources, and facilities; (7) engage in donor relationships and funds development; (8) represent the school in official business with university authorities, students, and the public; (9) create professional development initiatives for faculty and staff; (10) develop leadership through collaboration with the faculty and staff to advance the School of Music nationally and internationally; and (11) be an active participant as a member of the Executive Committee of the College in furthering the College of Fine Arts’ goals and mission. The Director of the School of Music reports directly to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts. 

APPLICATION: Please submit (1) letter of application, including a statement of philosophy that addresses leadership, administration, management of a school of music, scholarship, and commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; (2) curriculum vitae; and (3) names and contact information for five references. The candidate will be notified before references are contacted. Screening of applications will begin November 15, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. For additional information, please contact Associate Dean Melonie Murray, School of Music Director Search Committee Chair, melonie.murray@utah.edu. 

GENERAL INFORMATION: 

Established in 1850, The University of Utah is the state’s oldest and largest institution of higher education, offering over 100 undergraduate and more than 90 graduate degree programs to over 30,000 students. The University of Utah is also one of the state’s largest employers, is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and is ranked in the top quarter of public research universities in the nation. The University of Utah has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the 115 research universities with the “highest research activity” in the nation and is the flagship of the Utah System of Higher Education. The University of Utah is located in the Wasatch foothills, overlooking Salt Lake City, the Great Salt Lake, and the Great Basin's west desert. 

The center of a metropolitan area with a population of approximately 1.25 million residents, Salt Lake City is known for extensive arts and cultural activities, boasts a new major international airport with direct flights to multiple national and international destinations, and has received international recognition for its light rail system, foodie culture, downtown renewal, burgeoning tech industry, and increasing diversity. Hosting a vibrant arts community, Salt Lake City is home to long-standing nationally-recognized music institutions such as the Utah Symphony/Utah Opera, Nova Chamber Music Series, Intermezzo Chamber Music Series, and Ballet West. Salt Lake City also offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation, with ten world-class ski resorts and five national parks within hours of the city. Salt Lake City is home to a robust array of diverse communities facilitating numerous opportunities for interaction with a range of civic and political organizations, given the city’s role as the governmental and social nerve center of the state. Utah public schools serve a diverse student body (statewide average: eight percent English Learners (Els) and twenty-six percent non-white), notably higher in its urban districts. Utah is also home to the first state-legislated and funded K-16 dual language education model in the country. In 2017, U.S. News and World Report ranked Salt Lake City as the 10th best place to live in the nation.