Department
 

HUM Staff: Music SP Student Performance

About the Department
 

For nearly 90 years, the University of Chicago Department of Music has been a leader in the academic study as well as the creation of serious music. With leading scholars in the relevant fields, the Department offers graduate degrees in Composition, Ethnomusicology, Music History, and Music Theory, as well as an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in music.
Beyond the classroom, the Music Department hosts a thriving co-curricular Performance Program that encompasses four choirs, two orchestras, a wind ensemble, two jazz ensembles, a percussion ensemble, as well as a South Asian, a Middle East, Early Music, and Afro-Cuban ensemble, plus specialized programs in chamber music, piano, and vocal studies. Open to all undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students at the University as well as faculty, staff, and community members, this wide-ranging Performance Program offers an exceptional environment for artistic inspiration and musical growth. For students in the Music Department, it serves as a meaningful complement to their academic studies.

Job Summary
 

Ensemble directors provide artistic leadership, musical instruction, performance guidance, and individual coaching within the Music Department Performance Program. Duties include: planning 3 or more well-balanced concert programs, appropriate to the technical and musical capabilities of the particular ensemble, per season; leading weekly rehearsals and quarterly performances of the ensemble; providing instructional materials and specific assignments to the student musicians; assessing and documenting the progress of those instructed. In addition, ensemble directors provide relevant technical and musical feedback to individual student musicians, as well as advice on supplemental opportunities and advanced musical studies as appropriate. Directors work with students to help them improve their musical skills, and to nurture their life-long involvement in the musical arts.

Responsibilities

• Programs 2-3 concerts per season; leads weekly rehearsals, schedules individual coachings as needed, and performs in concerts as leader/conductor.
• Provides guidance and training to University Symphony Ochestra (USO) and University Wind Ensemble (UWE) percussion students as needed. Assigns specific parts to student percussionists as needed; and attends specific rehearsals. Coaches student percussionists during 2-3 rehearsals per concert cycle for each ensemble; estimated total 20 services/year, beyond which there would be additional compensation.
• Performs in USO and UWE concerts as needed. Estimated 3 per season limit, beyond which there would be additional compensation.
• Serves as Artistic Advisor for the student-led New Music Ensemble (NME). Provides guidance for programming, coordinates logistics, and performs in NME concerts as needed (3 per season).
• Mentors PhD students in idiomatic writing for percussion, through regular office hours as scheduled.
• Expands Making Waves program in local schools as budget and schedule allow, involves UC student musicians in teaching within the program, and expands program strategically as demand grows and resources allow.
• Assists Director of Performance Programs with percussion auditions and assignments at the beginning of the academic year.  Recruits and schedules additional student percussionists to perform in large ensemble concerts as needed.
• Manages inventory, scheduling, and repair/upgrade/acquisition of percussion instruments and equipment for Department of Music Performance Program. Storeroom locations include Mandel Hall, Fulton Recital Hall, and Logan 901, plus percussion practice rooms in Goodspeed and Logan.
• Track student attendance and engagement in the UC Percussion Ensemble, and submit grades (Pass/Fail) on a quarterly basis.
• Abides by all guidelines and deadlines for submission of program information, purchase requests, and other operational details, as outlined by the Performance Program staff.
• Has a moderate/high level of authority to participate in staff meetings, individual planning meetings, and parent-student staffings.
• Helps staff to plan and execute events.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree in percussion performance (MA, MM, or Artist’s Diploma) from an accredited conservatory.

Experience:

• Significant performance experience as a percussionist with a variety of ensembles (orchestra, wind ensemble, contemporary), as well as recital experience.
• 3-5 years of teaching experience at a college or university, encompassing both individual lessons and group coachings.
• Administrative experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Training and expertise in playing all percussion instruments normally used in the Western canon of orchestral, wind ensemble, and contemporary music, including timpani, mallet instruments, drums, cymbals, hand percussion, and specialty percussion.
• Some ancillary experience in non-Western percussion traditions.

Working Conditions

• 9 over 12 month position, paid over 12 months for 9 months of work.
• This is a part-time position of approximately 27 hours per week.

Application Documents

• Resumé/CV (required)
• List of Solo Percussion Works performed in public with recital dates (required)
• Links to a Minimum of Three Solo Percussion Performances (required)
• Brief Statement of Teaching Philosophy for private percussion instruction (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Academic Affairs

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

27

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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