Director of Orchestral Ensembles

Director of Orchestral Ensembles

Fordham University

Fordham University seeks a part-time Director of Orchestral Ensembles to lead the Rose Hill Orchestra and the Lincoln Center Chamber Orchestra at Fordham’s campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan. The candidate should have extensive experience in directing ensembles; a productive and original artistic profile; and superior administrative ability.  In addition to working with students, the director will collaborate with faculty to further the Department’s educational mission, and with the Administration to further the University’s larger goals.  We are especially interested in those whose specialties could lead to collaborations with faculty and organizations in the Department, across the University, and in the larger metropolitan area, especially within communities of the Bronx—for example, candidates who bring flexibility and an interest in expanding and diversifying the repertoire with an ear toward inclusivity and connecting with diverse students in a global New York City.  We seek musicians with demonstrated commitment and success in teaching and mentoring undergraduates from a range of social, cultural, and economic backgrounds—and students with a broad array of performance levels and experience.

Fordham University operates in the Jesuit tradition, in which a high-quality education is viewed as a path to leadership and service, and a call to human excellence. Students learn each subject’s implications for what it means to be a human being and what we may contribute to the future well-being of the world. Fordham is an equal opportunity employer, and we especially encourage women, people of color, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. 

Rank: Non-faculty, non-tenure track, part-time.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

Job Description and Responsibilities:

• Lead three rehearsals weekly:  two 75-minute rehearsals of the Fordham University Orchestra (on the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx) and one 150-minute rehearsal of the Fordham Chamber Orchestra (at the Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan); schedule and direct additional rehearsals as necessary
• Do all grading, pedagogical, and administrative work relevant to leading the ensembles as courses at Fordham.
• Perform public concerts for each ensemble toward the end of each semester: one with the Rose Hill Orchestra, and a part/half concert with the LC Chamber Orchestra with the possibility of additional performances for university events.
• Provide and support instrumental music through Commencement week with the Rose Hill Orchestra, which includes Encaenia (brass quintet), Baccalaureate Mass, and the Commencement ceremony. Conduct placement auditions at the beginning of each semester for both orchestras.
• Oversee and assist student leaders with the University Pep Band at Rose Hill campus (attendance by the Orchestra Director is not required for pep band performances or rehearsals).
• Grow and improve the instrumental program through the recruitment of on-campus musicians and prospective students, including participation at student recruitment events
• Increase the profile of Fordham by potentially participating in local, regional, and national band conferences.
• Award orchestra scholarships, in consultation with music faculty and based on approved criteria.
• Participate fully in artistic planning sessions with music faculty so that orchestral activities support the broader curriculum and are integrated into the department's calendar of events.
• Support the University’s mission through involvement with Development Community Outreach.

Qualifications:

• Minimum degree qualification is a Master of Music degree (M.M.) in conducting.
• Strong current record of professional orchestral conducting
• Exemplary musicianship and strong pedagogical skills
• Evidence of successful performances and leadership of a large ensemble
• Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education

To Apply:

Review of applications will begin on Monday, February 21, 2022.  Candidates should submit via Interfolio (http://apply.interfolio.com/101091):  a Letter of Application, a CV, three letters of reference, and a sample conducting video (ensemble rehearsal preferred, performance also acceptable). 

ABOUT FORDHAM

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its 9 colleges and schools.  It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.