Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Activities

Assistant Professor Of Music

The University of Central Florida (UCF) School of Performing Arts invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-earning Assistant Professor of Music, with the internal university title of Program Director of Orchestral Activities. This position is located at the UCF main campus with an anticipated start date of August 8, 2027. The successful candidate will provide artistic, curricular, and programmatic leadership for UCF's orchestral studies program and will join the school's string faculty as an active and collaborative colleague.

The school seeks a dynamic educator-conductor and accomplished string musician with a compelling vision for the continued growth and development of orchestral and string education  successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in musicianship, teaching, recruitment, and ensemble leadership; inspire high levels of artistic achievement among students; and contribute meaningfully to the academic and artistic life of the School of Performing Arts.

The ideal candidate will be an engaged collaborator who values strong relationships across the string area, with other ensemble directors, and throughout the broader music program. The position also carries an important role in strengthening UCF's connections with public and private school music educators, supporting student recruitment, and representing the program within the state, regional, and national music education and string communities.

This position reports to the Director of the School of Performing Arts.

The Department of Music within the School of Performing Arts offers B.A., B.M., B.M.E., and M.A. degrees and is part of the University of Central Florida, a Carnegie R1 research university and the largest university in Florida by enrollment. UCF serves more than 70,000 students, offers 250-degree programs, and supports a dynamic environment in which teaching, creative activity, research, and community engagement intersect.

Located in one of the nation's most active metropolitan areas, UCF offers exceptional opportunities for a musician and educator to build professional and community connections beyond the university. Orlando and Central Florida support a thriving performing arts community that includes the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Orlando Ballet, Opera Orlando, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and numerous other professional, community, and educational arts organizations.

Orange County's nonprofit arts and cultural sector support nearly 5,000 jobs and generates approximately $265 million in direct economic activity annually, while the Dr. Phillips Center alone presented 700 performances in 2024, more than half produced by regional arts organizations. Beyond its professional opportunities, the Orlando area offers a high-energy metropolitan lifestyle, internationally recognized entertainment and attractions, diverse dining and neighborhoods, year-round outdoor recreation, and convenient national and international air access.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Directing and providing artistic and curricular leadership for the university orchestras.
• Teaching string methods and basic conducting courses within the music education curriculum.
• Conducting internship observations and providing mentorship and evaluation for music education students.
• Working collaboratively as a member of the string faculty and with the School's other ensemble directors and faculty colleagues.
• Recruiting prospective string students and contributing to broader student recruitment efforts within the music program.
• Cultivating and sustaining productive relationships with public and private school orchestra directors, music educators, and string programs throughout Florida and beyond.
• Representing UCF at appropriate state, regional, and national professional conferences, recruiting events, and activities, such as conferences and events of the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA).
• Participating in clinics, school visits, festivals, workshops, and other activities that strengthen relationships between UCF and school music programs.
• Potential for collaboration on…