About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual community of the region.
Job Description
The Department of Music and Dance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Orchestra Studies. This is a full-time nine-month position at the rank of Assistant Professor and will begin on September 1, 2024. Responsibilities include conducting the UMass Symphony Orchestra, and the All-University Orchestra, teaching undergraduate and graduate conducting, advising undergraduate and graduate students, assisting with applied area instrumental recruiting efforts, and departmental service. Recruiting activities may include visiting secondary schools, offering workshops, masterclasses, and adjudicating.
Qualifications
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Music required. A Master’s or Doctorate Degree is preferred.
- Candidates with extensive professional experience (a minimum of five years) that have found success in the professional music world (ie. conducting orchestras, opera etc.) in lieu if pursuing graduate degrees will be considered
- Potential for or an already established national reputation as a conductor in orchestral music.
- Experience as a conductor of opera preferred.
- Evidence of excellence in teaching as well as a demonstrated ability or commitment to, recruiting at the university level.
- Ability to work effectively within the context of a music department.
Additional Information
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the University offers an attractive benefits package. The Department of Music and Dance values a socially equitable, inclusive, and collaborative environment to support students, faculty, and staff.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) links, preferably through YouTube and listed in a separate document, to three high-quality video recordings of conducting performance and ensemble rehearsal, totaling no more than 30 minutes in length, (4) a personal statement that describes your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, identifying past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarship, and/or mentoring, teaching and outreach activities, and (5) a list of three current references with full contact information including valid email addresses who can provide letters of reference upon request.
Review of applications will begin on January 1, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. Additional supporting materials may be requested from finalists. Application materials will not be returned.
The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.