Gonzaga Univ.

The Gonzaga University Music Department invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term faculty position/Interim Director of Choirs and Vocal Studies. This non tenure-track position is at the rank of Lecturer for one year, 2021-2022.

Gonzaga seeks an inspiring choral conductor and educator to lead and administer our choral and vocal studies program for the 2021-2022 year. The successful candidate will demonstrate creativity in diverse programming, excellence in choral pedagogy, and a commitment to inclusive teaching of music majors and non-major liberal arts students. Gonzaga’s choral-vocal program is a collaborative and supportive community of faculty and students, and the successful candidate will contribute to this by collaborating with adjunct vocal faculty and by mentoring students who serve as Choir Council leaders, Choral Ambassadors, and ACDA Student Chapter members. Teaching responsibilities include three choral ensembles: Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and the Gonzaga Glee Club. Musical leadership includes Fall Family Weekend and Candlelight Christmas Concerts, coordinated with choral and instrumental faculty, as well as a staged musical production, presented in partnership with the Department of Theatre and Dance. The annual spring masterworks concert in 2022 with professional orchestra includes a commissioned multimedia work and residency with composer Jocelyn Hagen. An international exchange tour with the Chamber Chorus is planned for May 2022 to Gonzaga’s campus in Florence, Italy.

The Interim Director of Choirs and Vocal Studies will organize and lead educational outreach initiatives, including the annual Choral Leadership Academy and High School Choral Invitational. Administrative responsibilities include managing choral budgets; event scheduling; coordinating with support staff; logistics; publicity for concerts, recitals, rehearsals, and events; purchasing music scores; and supervising staff pianist. Vocal administration includes managing voice area recitals, degrees recitals, juries, and studio assignment of new students. The successful candidate will plan and lead the annual choir retreat with student leaders. Recruitment and advising responsibilities include internal recruitment among student body for robust ensemble membership and administering choral placement for incoming students. Responsibilities of recruiting prospective students to Gonzaga for the 2022-2023 year include communication with high school teachers, professional associations, and Admissions; meeting with prospective students; and supervising and mobilizing Gonzaga’s Choral Ambassadors.

Minimum Qualifications

• D.M.A. in Choral Conducting. ABDs considered with the expectation degree is in hand by August 1, 2021.

• Demonstrated success teaching undergraduate singers of diverse backgrounds

• Artistic programming that demonstrates a commitment to diverse choral repertoire and composers with respect to race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, or other identities

• Experience or the potential to contribute to choral outreach, recruitment, and educational initiatives

• Experience fostering inclusive choral communities and mentoring student leaders

• Administrative experience in coordinating concert and event logistics and budget management

• Experience or interest in collaborating with music faculty, students, and community partners on- and off-campus

To apply, please visit our website at: www.gonzaga.edu/jobs . Applicants are required to complete an online application and submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a statement on multicultural and inclusive teaching, (4) links to videos of the candidate conducting a choral rehearsal (15-minutes) and a recent choral performance (5-10 minutes), and when finalists are selected please provide (5) names and contact information for two (2) professional references to provide confidential letters of recommendation.

Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Timothy Westerhaus, Chair, Music Department, westerhaus@gonzaga.edu. Position closes on June 1, 2021, midnight, PDT.