Job Description
Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice, Orchestral Conducting Primary Purpose and Essential Functions: The Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific invites applications for a temporary full time non-tenure track position as Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice in Orchestral Conducting for 2025-2026. The successful candidate will be an emerging educator and conductor, with strong orchestral pedagogies, especially for string students, as appropriate for developing undergraduates. The candidate will be willing and able to collaborate with colleagues in an innovative and forward-looking ensemble program. Pacific's ensembles serve students through a pool-based approach to personnel and concerts. The approach prepares students for healthy work at a professional pace and provides significant flexibility for imaginative programming.
- Principal conductor for Pacific's chamber-orchestra sized ensembles in 2025-2026
- Sustain a modern vision for Pacific's 2025-2026 orchestral programming, one appropriate to the ability levels of current students, and one that aligns with Pacific's missions and values
- Sustain orchestral ensemble collaborations within and beyond Pacific's campus
- Collaborate with faculty and students to develop healthy, efficient, and innovative orchestral ensemble program
- Teach undergraduate conducting and mentor student conductors in rehearsal and performance settings
- In collaboration with relevant faculty and staff, guide operations of the orchestral ensembles
- As an educator and collaborator, model best orchestral ensemble practices pedagogically and professionally.
The University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, how socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socioeconomic status, etc., impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.
Minimum Qualifications: - MM in instrumental conducting or equivalent professional experience.
- An unflagging commitment to inclusion in concert programming and pedagogy.
- Emerging career as a conductor in higher education and/or professional settings.
- The ability to prepare undergraduates for careers as performers, music educators, and in an array of music careers consonant with the Conservatory's degree offerings.
- Ability to collaborate with multiple organizations on campus and in Pacific communities.
- Willingness and ability to program, conduct, and teach works for smaller sized orchestral ensembles.
- Willingness and ability to work as part of a team of ensemble leaders who share conducting duties collaboratively within Pacific's ensembles and eschew "turf".
- Willingness and ability to collaborate with applied faculty to develop healthy and appropriate preparation, rehearsal, and performance cultures for students in, performing with, or composing for, orchestral ensembles.
Preferred Qualifications: - Preference is for conductors with experience playing in orchestral settings at collegiate and/or professional levels. Candidates who are string players are encouraged to apply.
- DMA in conducting, or the equivalent professional experience.
- Strong pedagogical abilities in all orchestral instruments, especially with orchestral string pedagogies.
- Ability to teach in a related area.
- Success in college level settings.
- Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
- Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Frequent sitting and computer use. Occasional walking, standing, bending, kneeling, and use of phone. Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.
Special Instructions: To apply, please upload the following with your application:
- Cover letter.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Links to three videos of work as a conductor in contrasting styles - selections of performance and, especially, rehearsal footage are encouraged, as is the inclusion of a recent work and/or a work from voices under-represented in concert music settings
- Names and contact information of three (3) references.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Pacific anticipates a search for a permanent orchestral conducting position in 2025-2026 and the person selected for the one (1) year post may be invited to apply for the permanent position. For the permanent role, Pacific anticipates an additional qualification: candidates with a record of, or effective strategies for, building strong collegiate orchestral programs.
To apply, visit University of the Pacific is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity. In compliance with applicable law and its own policy, Pacific is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff and does not discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability.
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Immediate start,