Assistant Professor of Music, Choral Conductor (T/TE)) Job at University of Ariz

Assistant Professor of Music, Choral Conductor (T/TE)

Location: Tucson, AZ, USA

Employment: Full‑time, 40 hours/week, 9‑month academic year. Tenure Track: Yes (T/TE). Benefits: Full, including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, sick leave, holidays, tuition reduction, retirement plan, recreation and cultural activities.

Position Highlights

• Artist‑soulled choral conductor with a record of sustained excellence.
• Leader of the School’s Symphonic Choir and director of the choral program.
• Teach graduate choral conducting, choral literature, weekly lessons, and a seminar for MM and DMA students.
• Scholarise and promote an active national profile as conductor, scholar, and pedagogue.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff across the School of Music and College of Fine Arts to advance performance, research and service initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Conduct the Symphonic Choir, the School of Music’s premier choral ensemble.
• Teach graduate courses in choral conducting and literature, including weekly lessons and a full‑conducting studio seminar.
• Supervise the graduate program in choral conducting (qualifications, comprehensive, dissertation exams) and mentor students to degree completion and professional placement.
• Provide artistic and administrative leadership for the choral program; collaborate with colleagues in recruitment, outreach, research, scholarship and creative opportunities.
• Maintain an active national profile as conductor, scholar, and pedagogue.
• Work alongside faculty and staff across the School of Music and the College of Fine Arts to advance performance, research, and service initiatives.
• Carry out duties assigned by the Director of the School of Music.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Work effectively with students, faculty, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Foster and maintain positive professional relationships in an academic and artistic environment.
• Understand the needs that impact choral students’ success.
• Create welcoming, responsive teaching environments for all students.
• Encourage critical thinking and respectful dialogue.
• Apply new pedagogies and classroom strategies to advance comprehensive learning opportunities.
• Foster a sense of belonging and opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Develop public engagement, partnership or outreach with diverse communities.
• Show leadership or service within professional associations that promote access and belonging.
• Address barriers to access, belonging, and success in music professions and choral education.
• Support the university’s efforts to build and sustain a respectful workplace.

Minimum Qualifications

• DMA or PhD in Choral Conducting or a closely related field from an accredited institution, or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of effective choral conducting and teaching at university or professional level.
• Minimum three years of teaching experience with graduate students.
• Evidence of, or potential for, scholarly, creative, and/or research activity appropriate to rank.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of successful collegiate‑level experience as artist, teacher and scholar.
• Record of sustained excellence in choral performance, teaching, and scholarship.
• Evidence of leadership or administrative oversight within a choral program at university, professional or festival level.
• Demonstrated success attracting, retaining, and working with undergraduate and graduate students.
• Active engagement within professional organizations such as ACDA, NCCO, NAfME.
• Experience with community‑based ensembles, festivals, or outreach initiatives.

Application Instructions

• Letter of Application: explain why you are interested, your artistic and pedagogical vision, and how you meet the qualifications.
• Curriculum Vitae detailing teaching, conducting, scholarly and professional experience.
• Philosophy of Teaching statement (1–2 pages) describing goals, pedagogical training and approach to mentoring diverse students.
• One representative syllabus from a recent course taught.
• Three Letters of Recommendation; include names and contact information for the application system.
• Contact information for five references who may be contacted later.
• Video portfolio (one‑page PDF with active, private links) containing:
  • ≈20 minutes of rehearsal footage
  • ≈15 minutes of performance footage
  • ≈10 minutes of a choral literature lecture

Applications submitted to Dr. M. Nicole Davis (davismn@arizona.edu).