Instructional Assistant Professor - Conducting - University of Houston

Organization

The University of Houston Moores School of Music seeks an Instructional Assistant Professor of Conducting (promotion-eligible NTT). Primary responsibilities include collaborating with the Director of Orchestral Studies to serve the myriad orchestras at the Moores School of Music and the Moores Opera Center and to teach conducting to undergraduate and graduate students. This is a full-time, 9-month position beginning Fall of 2024.

The position will involve conducting orchestras at the Moores School of Music, teaching undergraduate conducting and rehearsal techniques courses, other courses in the music education curriculum, private applied conducting lessons at the graduate level, and/or other music classes/chamber music based on the candidate’s expertise and experience and the needs of the School of Music. The position will work closely with the other conducting and artistic faculty in the Moores School of Music in the areas of conducting, opera, choral studies, wind conducting, teaching, administration, management, finance, equipment and library, all in the context of assisting in the administration of a Tier One comprehensive university orchestra program.

SALARY

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

START DATE

Fall 2024

APPLICATION

Applicants will submit the following electronically: 1) cover letter; 2) CV; 3) contact information for four professional references; 4) statement of teaching philosophy, including documentation of success in teaching, addressing how you will serve a classroom of individuals with varied backgrounds; 5) research/creative activity statement, including documentation of success in research/creative activity, and 6) a link to a live video recording of about fifteen minutes of a recent orchestra rehearsal (can include opera) and about fifteen minutes of an orchestral or operatic conducting performance, or both.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled.

ABOUT THE MOORES SCHOOL OF MUSIC 

The University of Houston’s Moores School of Music (MSM) is one of the leading comprehensive music schools in the nation. Its remarkable faculty of internationally recognized performers, composers, and scholars, outstanding student body, modern facilities, and broad range of programs make MSM the natural choice for around 500 students annually. The school’s commitment to academic excellence and the highest performance standards has ensured its role as a vital resource in the educational and cultural life of Houston and beyond.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One research university, the leading public research university in Houston, and the third-largest university in Texas. In 2022, UH enrolled more than 47,000 students in 279 undergraduate and graduate academic programs. UH awards more than 11,000 degrees annually and has more than 360,000 alumni. Houston is the fourth-largest city in the nation and one of America’s great arts destination cities for the twenty-first century.

The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution and recognizes protected classes of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, religion, age (40 and above), national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or status, and gender expression as required by federal law. Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will have a proven record of conducting excellence, outstanding musicianship, effective orchestral and operatic conducting experience at the university level or significant commensurate experience, and a demonstrated success with recruiting, retaining, and mentoring a variety of graduate and undergraduate instrumentalists and vocalists. Experience will include conducting at major international university-level schools of music (such as New York University), conservatories (the Juilliard School or the Manhattan School of Music, for example), or major international academies and festivals. Further experience will include conducting with professional opera companies and festivals domestically and abroad. Experience with management and artistic direction of small non-profit companies in the music and opera arena is highly valued. Evidence of experience with new music and premieres of new operas is preferred. 

Training and experience as a pianist, an accompanist, a chamber musician, and an opera coach is required. Fluency in multiple languages is strongly preferred (with a preference for English, Spanish, and Italian).

Candidates for such positions at the University of Houston will normally hold the terminal degree in the field; experience in lieu of the terminal degree will be considered.

Core Values of Moores School of Music faculty include:

•    Dedicated to excellence in the arts
•    Focused on student success
•    Team players who are willing to work across disciplines
•    Problem solvers
•    Models of integrity and collegiality with a commitment to diversity
•    Passionate, energetic, and tenacious

Core Competencies include:

•    The ability to attract resources, including grants or other external sources of support that advance the school’s mission 
•    The ability to grow dynamic degree programs and recruit dynamic, top-tier students 

Employee Status

Job Posting