Professor - Craig Jessop Endowed Chair Choral Conducting & Community Engagement; Music Director, American Festival

The Department of Music at Utah State University seeks an accomplished conductor, educator, and artistic leader to serve as the inaugural holder of the Craig Jessop Endowed Chair for Choral Conducting & Community Engagement and as Music Director of the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra (AFCO).

This unique position combines a faculty appointment as leader of the Master of Music in Choral Conducting program with artistic leadership of one of the Intermountain West's premier community choral and orchestral organizations. The successful candidate will provide academic leadership for graduate conducting education, contribute to the teaching, scholarship, and service mission of Utah State University, and advance the artistic excellence and community impact of the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra.

Utah State University Faculty Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Master of Music in Choral Conducting program.
• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in choral conducting, choral literature, rehearsal techniques, and related areas.
• Recruit, advise, mentor, and support the retention and professional development of graduate and undergraduate students.
• Supervise graduate conducting students and support their career preparation and professional placement.
• Maintain an active program of scholarly, creative, and professional engagement consistent with the expectations of a senior faculty member at a land-grant research university.
• Participate in curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and program planning.
• Contribute to departmental, college, and university service.
• Collaborate with faculty colleagues across the department, college, and university.
• Strengthen partnerships with community arts organizations and educational institutions throughout the region.
• Support recruitment, outreach, and public engagement initiatives that advance the mission of Utah State University.

American Festival Chorus & Orchestra Responsibilities:

• Serve as Music Director and principal conductor of the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra.
• Provide artistic leadership and vision for AFCO performances, programs, and initiatives.
• Program, prepare, rehearse, and conduct major choral-orchestral repertoire while sustaining AFCO’s artistic standards and reputation.
• Recruit, inspire, and retain volunteer singers and community musicians.
• Collaborate with guest artists, conductors, orchestras, arts organizations, and university leadership.
• Develop and maintain relationships with patrons, donors, alumni, sponsors, and community stakeholders in support of AFCO’s artistic and organizational goals.
• Contribute to audience development, community engagement, fundraising, and advocacy efforts consistent with AFCO’s mission.

• Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Choral Conducting or a related field. An equivalent record of exceptional professional achievement and national or international distinction may be considered in lieu of traditional academic credentials.
• At least five years of successful experience as a music director, artistic director, or conductor of collegiate, professional, community, church, or civic choral ensembles, with demonstrated success developing high-level ensembles.
• Demonstrated experience programming and conducting orchestras and major choral-orchestral repertoire.
• Experience teaching, administering, or coordinating choral conducting or a closely related field at the university level, including the ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in choral conducting, choral literature, rehearsal techniques, and related areas.
• Demonstrated success in student recruitment, mentoring, and retention.
• Evidence of effective community engagement and relationship building…