Director, Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music

Director, Rudi

E. Scheidt School of Music

University of Memphis | Memphis, Tennessee

Transforming the Future of Music Education in the Home of American Music

The University of Memphis Rudi

E. Scheidt School of Music has been setting the tone for creativity and excellence for decades. Its alumni perform with major orchestras, teach in leading universities, advance the music industry, and lead arts organizations across the world. The University seeks a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as the next Director of the Rudi

E. Scheidt School of Music. This position represents an extraordinary opportunity to shape the next era of music education within one of the nation’s most vibrant artistic communities.

The Director provides leadership for Tennessee’s only doctoral degree-granting program in music, which includes more than thirty areas of concentration spanning undergraduate through doctoral levels. The School presents over four hundred performances each year, making it one of the most active musical institutions in the Mid-South. The Director also oversees the new forty-million-dollar Scheidt Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a hub for performance, recording, and innovation, establishing Memphis as a leader in contemporary music education and creative technology.

The Rudi

E. Scheidt School of Music is an integral part of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, fostering collaboration across disciplines such as architecture, art and design communication and film, journalism and strategic media, and theatre and dance. More than fifty distinguished faculty members serve as artists, scholars, and educators committed to student mentorship and success. The School offers comprehensive programs in Music Education, Performance, Composition, Music Business, Jazz and Studio Music, Music Therapy, and Recording Technology, along with graduate degrees in Performance, Conducting, Composition, Pedagogy, and Music History.

Specialized offerings include the Vocology Graduate Certificate and Artist Diploma programs, providing focused pathways for professional advancement.

Memphis provides an unparalleled setting for musical exploration and connection. The city’s legendary cultural heritage, from blues and soul to rock and hip‑hop, creates an environment where music is a shared language. Partnerships with organizations such as the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Opera Memphis strengthen the School’s ties to the professional arts community. The city’s affordability, creative energy, and spirit of innovation continue to attract students and faculty from around the globe.

The Director serves as the academic and artistic leader of the School, guiding the development of curriculum, faculty initiatives, and student success strategies. This leadership role involves advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting innovative teaching and performance practices, and building relationships with community partners, donors, and alumni. The Director works closely with the Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts to enhance the School’s national and international profile while maintaining the highest standards of artistic and academic excellence.

The University of Memphis offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position carries a twelve‑month administrative appointment with faculty rank, comprehensive health, dental, and retirement benefits, and support for research and professional development. The University also provides access to its recreational, cultural, and educational resources.

Applicants should submit the following materials for full consideration:

• A letter of interest (two pages maximum) presenting a vision for the future of the School and a philosophy of music education and leadership in the twenty‑first century, demonstrating how the candidate’s experience and values align with the School’s mission and aspirations.
• A comprehensive curriculum vitae highlighting academic,…