Director of Orchestral Studies

Eastern Kentucky University; Richmond; On-site; CAD 128,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The School of Music at Eastern Kentucky University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Director of Orchestral Studies beginning 2027-28. The successful candidate will be a conductor-educator with strength in string performance and pedagogy, holding a Doctorate in Music or the Master of Music with significant experience.

The appointment begins August 2027. EKU's School of Music has redesigned undergraduate concentrations focused on professional readiness.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Music or Master of Music + significant experience required.
• Proven record of ensemble leadership and pedagogy in strings.
• Experience with curriculum development and community engagement in music education.

Responsibilities

• Conduct the EKU Symphony Orchestra and lead opera/musical theatre productions.
• Maintain a faculty workload aligned with college and university needs.
• Lead string pedagogy initiatives and mentor undergraduate string students.
• Serve as liaison to regional K–12 string programs and build partnerships.
• Organize and expand the High School Honors Orchestra as a recruiting/engagement event.
• Recruit prospective string students from across the Commonwealth/region.
• Participate in curriculum development, advising, and university service.
• Maintain an active record of scholarly or creative activity.

Skills

Conductor

Ensemble leadership

String pedagogy

Curriculum development

Community outreach

Team collaboration

Education

Doctorate in Music

Master of Music + significant experience

Job description

Title: Director of Orchestral Studies

Position Type: Fulltime Faculty

Search Type: Tenure Track - 30 days

Department: 21R010 - College of Letters, Arts & Soc Sci

Division: 2R0000 - Academic Affairs

Position Location: Richmond Campus

Driver Classification: Non-Driver

FLSA: Exempt

Schedule Type: Full Time (37.5 hrs per week or more)

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Posted Salary Grade: Faculty Full Time - 01

Retirement: KTRS

Contact Person: John Bowes

Job Summary/Basic Functions

The School of Music, a unit of the Institute for Creative and Collaborative Arts at Eastern Kentucky University, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position as Director of Orchestral Studies, beginning 2027-28. The School seeks a conductor-educator with demonstrated strength in string performance and pedagogy. Applicants should hold an earned Doctorate in Music or a related field from an accredited institution at the time of appointment or the Master of Music plus significant relevant experience. The position begins August 2027.

EKU's School of Music is in an active period of curricular and programmatic development, having completed a peer-benchmarked redesign of all four undergraduate concentrations built around the principle that a music degree should be completable, professionally relevant, and structurally honest about what it asks of students. The Director of Orchestral Studies will join a faculty committed to that work and to sustaining a program whose graduates are historically literate, ensemble-experienced, and professionally prepared at a standard that no regional peer program currently matches.

The successful candidate will bring a record of successful ensemble leadership and the community orientation required to build lasting relationships with K–12 programs across the Commonwealth. EKU's annual High School Honors Orchestra draws students from across the region to campus each year and serves as one of the School's primary recruiting and community-engagement vehicles.

The University places a high priority on being leaders in the responsible use of artificial intelligence and in building such capacity in our students. The successful candidate will demonstrate knowledge of artificial intelligence pertinent to the discipline and/or a willingness to pursue professional development to acquire such expertise.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: An earned Doctorate in Music or a related field from an accredited institution at the time of appointment or the Master of Music plus significant relevant experience.

Job Duties

• % - Conduct the EKU Symphony Orchestra and provide artistic leadership for opera and musical theatre productions. - (Essential)
• % - Maintain a faculty workload consistent with the needs and priorities of the college and institution, teaching in areas appropriate to training and expertise. - (Essential)
• % - Lead string pedagogy initiatives and mentor undergraduate string students across music education, performance, and related concentrations. - (Essential)
• % - Serve as the primary liaison to regional K–12 string programs, building sustained relationships with Kentucky music educators through clinics, school visits, and collaborative events. - (Essential)
• % - Organize and expand the annual High School Honors Orchestra as a signature campus recruiting and community engagement event. - (Essential)
• % - Recruit prospective string students from across the Commonwealth and region. - (Essential)
• % - Participate in curriculum development, academic advising, and school, college, and university committee service. - (Essential)
• % - Maintain an active record of professional and scholarly or creative activity. - (Essential)

Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Funding Source: Institutional

Open Until Filled: Yes

EEO Statement

Eastern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information in the admission to, or participation in, any educational program or activity (e.g., athletics, academics and housing) which it conducts or any employment policy or practice.

Background Check Statement

Offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.