Director of Jazz Studies

THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SCHOOL OF MUSIC

ANNOUNCES A TENURE-TRACK FACULTY POSITION

DIRECTOR OF JAZZ STUDIES

RANK/SALARY: Associate or Assistant Professor. Salary commensurate with candidate’s credentials and experience.

DUTIES:  1) Oversee Jazz Studies Program, including management of lecturer and adjunct teaching assignments; 2) direct Jazz Ensemble I; 3) teach other courses related to expertise such as Jazz Composition, Jazz Theory, Jazz History, and Applied Jazz (private lessons). Other significant responsibilities include recruiting outstanding musicians into the jazz studies program through effective interface with teachers and students in area schools, organizing performances and activities that advance the program, and organizing related masterclasses and guest-artist performances. Establishing a strong relationship between the University and the greater regional community is a priority. The School of Music seeks to create a diverse and inclusive, rigorous and responsible environment that reaches across disciplines to foster highly adaptive creators and thinkers.

QUALIFICATIONS: Doctorate, or Master’s degree with commensurate experience, is required, ABD considered. The applicant’s doctoral or master’s degree must be in the field of Jazz Studies. The qualified candidate must have prior experience as a jazz educator, ensemble director, and professional performer with a reputation of excellence. University-level teaching experience is required. The strongest candidates will recognize that music has a strong potential for social change and community engagement and their work will reflect this.

PROCEDURE:   The letter of application, CV (including the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of 3 to 5 persons who can provide references), 3 confidential letters of recommendation (uploaded directly by recommenders), succinct teaching philosophy statement (which may include strategies for mentoring a diverse student body), and (unofficial) copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be submitted electronically via: http://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/100350. In the cover letter please submit a link (URL) to a 30-minute video consisting of recent, unedited solo performances. (Links to individual videos are also acceptable.) The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position has been filled. Candidates should complete their on-line application by February 10, 2020 to ensure full consideration. Candidates who proceed to the final level will be required to participate in a routine criminal background check and to provide official transcripts. For more information, or to suggest nominations for this position, please contact Dr. Donn Schaefer, chair of the search committee, at d.schaefer@music.utah.edu. Do not send additional materials at this time. Scores and recordings of compositions and arrangements, a video of a big-band rehearsal, a recording or video of a big-band concert under the candidate’s direction, sample syllabi, or additional supporting materials, such as publications, may be requested later. Appointment is subject to available funding.

The School is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and it has over 400 majors. Faculty members in the School of Music are a distinguished group of approximately 90 performers, educators, scholars, conductors, and composers. Students in the School of Music earn BA, BM, MA, MM, DMA, and PhD degrees in fields that include conducting, composition, jazz studies, music education, music theory, musicology, and performance. The University of Utah is the primary research-intensive, doctoral-degree-granting public university in the state, with its commitment to research (including creative activity) fully extended into the arts and humanities. The university was founded in 1850 and currently enrolls over 35,000 students pursuing degrees ranging from the bachelor’s level through doctoral and professional programs. The university is located two miles east of downtown Salt Lake City and is a core component of the vibrant entrepreneurial metropolitan area, a region consistently rated among the best places to live in the U.S. The University and the School of Music have historic and continuing links with all of the professional arts groups in the state, including the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, national origin, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, status as a person with a disability, genetic information, or Protected Veteran status. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. To inquire about the University’s nondiscrimination or affirmative action policies or to request disability accommodation, please contact: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 201 S. Presidents Circle, Rm 135, (801) 581-8365.