Assistant or Associate Professor of Conducting – Director of Orchestral Activities

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

23h

About The Position

The Department of Music in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for an Associate or tenure-track Assistant Professor of Conducting, who will serve as the Director of Orchestral Activities starting August 2026. This is a standard nine-month faculty appointment. The Department of Music seeks a dynamic and visionary conductor to provide artistic and academic leadership for its orchestral program. The successful candidate will direct the University Symphony Orchestra, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes artistic excellence and supports the development of student musicians. The Director will program engaging and educationally appropriate repertoire spanning both traditional and contemporary compositions, cultivating performances that enrich the university and broader community. In addition to conducting, the successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses, including those at the DMA level. Responsibilities may include providing individual instruction, leading classes, and supervising dissertations and recitals as appropriate. Teaching assignments will be determined in accordance with the candidate’s expertise and scholarly interests, which may include areas such as score reading, symphonic literature, and applied conducting lessons. They will demonstrate a strong commitment to student success through effective teaching, mentorship, and the recruitment of talented musicians at regional and national levels. The Director will also build and sustain partnerships with public schools, community organizations, and professional musicians. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional musicianship, rehearsal and leadership skills, and demonstrate potential for scholarly and/or creative distinction. Effective communication, collegiality, and a cooperative spirit are essential. Additional responsibilities include participation in departmental service, curriculum development, and scholarly or creative activity consistent with rank and university expectations. Other duties may be assigned based on departmental needs. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in orchestral conducting or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education conferred by the date of initial appointment
• At least three years of successful collegiate or professional conducting experience
• A demonstrated record of exceptional teaching at the graduate and/or undergraduate level
• Evidence of, or a demonstrated potential for, an active research agenda and/or scholarly/creative activity
• Current knowledge of orchestral repertoire and performance practice
• Effective rehearsal and conducting techniques and skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to create imaginative concert programs
• Effective communication, collegiality, and a cooperative spirit are essential
• Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment

Nice To Haves

• Evidence of effective collaboration within academic or professional settings
• A record of effective recruitment and program-building strategies for collegiate orchestral programs
• Potential for national or international recognition as a conductor and an educator
• Additional teaching strengths such as applied instruction, score reading, symphonic literature, music education, and/or instrumental pedagogy, particularly in strings
• Candidates to be considered for the position at the Associate Level will have a record of creative activities that have gained recognition in their field at the national level as well as evidence of successful teaching in university, secondary, or other educational contexts

Responsibilities

• Direct the University Symphony Orchestra
• Provide artistic and academic leadership for its orchestral program
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses, including those at the DMA level
• Provide individual instruction, leading classes, and supervising dissertations and recitals as appropriate
• Build and sustain partnerships with public schools, community organizations, and professional musicians
• Participation in departmental service, curriculum development, and scholarly or creative activity consistent with rank and university expectations

Benefits

• The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree