Posting Number: req24822

Department: School of Music

Location: Main Campus

Address: Tucson, AZ USA

See job posting for more details

https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/24822?c=arizona

Position Highlights

Note: A deadline date has been added to the "Special Instructions to Applicants."

The University of Arizona School of Music invites applications for Assistant Professor of Music-Orchestra Conductor/Director of Orchestral Activities (full-time, 9-month, tenure track).

The successful candidate will be an inspirational and dynamic visionary artist as an orchestral conductor who has a growing record of sustained excellence in musicianship through orchestra performance, teaching and scholarship at the university level; demonstrated success providing leadership or administrative oversight within an orchestra program at the university level; work collaboratively with faculty and students; recruit and teach outstanding undergraduate and graduate students; create/maintain an active national profile as a conductor, scholar, and pedagogue; teach graduate orchestral conducting and literature, weekly seminar and lessons for MM and DMA students; and related duties as assigned by the Director of the school.

The School of Music is accredited by NASM and is one of the country's top comprehensive music programs, home to approximately 60 innovative faculty members who are leaders in their fields as educators, scholars, and active performers, 300 undergraduate music majors, and 130 master's and doctoral students. An all-Steinway School, we provide multiple performance spaces, recording studio, and Yamaha digital keyboard lab. Recent faculty accolades include Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence at the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Sudler Trophy for the Pride of Arizona Marching Band, and Symphonic Choir's performance for the National Collegiate Choral Organization. Current students and alumni have won national and international competitions, presented and performed at the invitation of professional organizations, and earned awards for their research. Learn more by visiting https://music.arizona.edu.

The School of Music is part of the Arizona Arts division, which serves as a gateway to visual and performing arts experiences, programs, and assets at the University of Arizona (U of A). Arizona Arts offers the opportunity to work with people of many different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We foster opportunity and excellence in the arts with a commitment to success for every student, research that shapes the future, and community engagement. Learn more by visiting cfa.arizona.edu/about/arizona-arts.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work- life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here

Duties & Responsibilities

The Provost's Academic Success Goals prioritize "Success for Every Student." This includes, among other things, engaging students in experiential learning across the curriculum, knowing how to think critically, enjoying a sense of belonging, and being resilient. These priorities must be embedded in all teaching and mentoring of students, and evident, specifically, in the assigned courses...
Conduct Arizona Symphony Orchestra, the premier orchestral ensemble of the School of Music, and Philharmonic Orchestra, mentoring graduate teaching assistants for both ensembles.
Conduct opera productions and collaborate on choral-orchestral works.
Teach graduate students in orchestral conducting, literature, and related courses, including weekly lessons for MM and DMA students and a weekly seminar with the full conducting studio.
Supervise the graduate degree program in orchestral conducting, including qualification, comprehensive, and dissertation examinations, and mentor students through degree completion and professional placement.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to student success.
Provide artistic and administrative leadership for the orchestral program and collaborate closely with other faculty in program planning, recruitment, and outreach.
Maintain an active national profile as a conductor, scholar, and pedagogue.
Work collaboratively with faculty and staff across the School of Music and the College of Fine Arts to advance performance, research, and service initiatives.
Build and sustain partnerships and outreach with public and private schools, community organizations and professional musicians.
Duties as assigned by the Director of the School of Music.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Current knowledge of orchestral repertoire and performance practice.
Effective rehearsal and conducting techniques and skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills that contribute to a respectful work environment.
Ability to support the university's efforts to build and sustain a vibrant respectful workplace.
Ability to create imaginative/innovative concert programs.
Ability to develop strategies in defining and supporting the future direction of the orchestra program.
Ability to utilize and implement new pedagogies and classroom strategies to advance comprehensive learning opportunities.
Demonstrated ability or potential for scholarly, creative, and/or research activity appropriate to rank.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA or PhD) in Orchestra Conducting or similar from an accredited institution of higher education or commensurate professional experience.
Minimum of three years of successful collegiate experience as an artist, teacher, and scholar of orchestral music.
Minimum of two years of leadership or administrative oversight within an orchestral program at the university, professional, or festival level.
Minimum of two years of experience conducting choral ensembles and opera rehearsals and performances in support of collaborative performances.
Experience in orchestral conducting, teaching, mentoring and graduating outstanding orchestra conducting students at the collegiate or professional level.

Preferred Qualifications

Examples of success in recruiting, mentoring, and graduating outstanding orchestral conducting students from varied musical, educational, and cultural backgrounds.
Three years teaching graduate students.
Evidence of effective collaboration within academic and professional settings.
Evidence of professional recognition as an orchestra conductor, scholar, or pedagogue and potential for national or international recognition.
Provide evidence of additional teaching strengths.
Active engagement with appropriate professional music organizations.

Rank: Assistant Professor

Tenure Information

Tenure Track (T/TE)

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.0

Work Calendar: Academic

Job Category: Faculty

Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: DOE

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Contact Information for Candidates

Dr. Angelo Versace
aversacet@arizona.edu

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and Five Additional Documents

Special Instructions to Applicant

Applicants must submit the following materials:

Cover Letter of Interest describing why you are interested in the position, how you are qualified for the position, and artistic, pedagogical, and forward-thinking vision for leading a comprehensive university orchestral program.
Curriculum Vitae detailing teaching, conducting, scholarly, and professional experience plus a repertoire list of works conducted in concert.

Philosophy of Teaching statement (one to two pages) describing your goals as an educator, relevant pedagogical training and overall approach to mentoring and educating students with varying backgrounds, interest, abilities, and prior experience
One Representative Syllabus from a recent course taught.
Three Letters of Recommendation; names and contact information to enter into the application system
Contact Information for Five References who may be contacted later in the search process.
Video Portfolio (one-page PDF with active, private links) with camera showing the conductor's face, containing recent, live, unedited footage, including:

- Approximately 15-20 minutes of rehearsal,
- 15-20 minutes of performance of contrasting works, and
- 10 minutes of an orchestral literature, or similar, lecture.

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who have submitted materials by January 30, 2026. Candidates may be asked to submit a link to a teacher video.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.

The University of Arizona is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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