Univ of Mississippi

Univ of Mississippi seeks an Assistant/Associate Professor of Music/Director of Opera.

Position: Assistant/Associate Professor of Music/Director of Opera. Nine-month, full-time, tenure-track position in the Department of Music beginning Fall 2022. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Final rank as Assistant or Associate Professor will be determined by the successful applicant’s academic and professional experience.

Responsibilities: Direct the UM Opera Theatre program (staging, lighting, tech, set, costumes, administration); work closely with Music Director of UM Opera Theatre, as well as Director of Orchestra; supervise graduate assistants in opera; teach courses primarily in area of expertise (e.g., applied voice, lyric diction, vocal or opera literature); maintain a strong directing and/or performing profile outside of the university; and actively recruit students to further develop the opera program. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain active scholarship and creative activity, directing or producing opera, performing, publishing, and/or presenting at peer-reviewed conferences at the regional and national level. Additional duties include service on departmental and university committees, as well as service to the discipline in the form of active membership in professional organizations, including Opera America, NOA, and NATS.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree or Doctorate in voice/music, stage directing, or theatre is required. Significant professional activity as a director is required. Teaching experience (minimum two years) at the university level and/or in young artist programs is required. The successful candidate will be an outstanding stage director of operatic repertoire and will have 1) a compelling professional profile; 2) a broad knowledge of standard operatic literature, as well as an interest in contemporary opera; 3) excellent interpersonal and communication skills, collaborating with colleagues across the department, as well as promoting the opera program to donors and community partners; and 4) the ability to attract and recruit talented students regionally and nationally. A strong interest in and experience with community engagement and outreach is desirable.

Application Procedures

Please visit careers@olemiss.edu to submit an online application with the University of Mississippi. On this site, please upload the following materials: 1) cover letter; 2) current curriculum vitae; 3) web links to video clips of work as opera director (rehearsals and performances); 4) statement of teaching philosophy for opera theatre within an academic environment; 5) complete contact information for three professional references. Any questions may be directed to Prof. Amanda Johnston, Chair of the Search Committee (ajjohnst@olemiss.edu).

Application deadline: Review of applications will begin January 14, 2022. Only complete applications will be considered.