The posting
Position Title:
Quarterly Lecturer - Musical Director/Vocal Coach/Rehearsal Accompanist
Position Type:
Temporary
Salary Range:
The Music Director/Vocal Coach position is equivalent to 1.0 course load. Winter quarter: 0.1 load, $984; Spring quarter: 0.9 load, $8,855.
Purpose:
The Department of Theatre and Dance at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit, Catholic university located in Silicon Valley seeks applicants for a Quarterly Lecturer (non-tenure track) Musical Director/Vocal Coach/Rehearsal Accompanist to teach THTR 29/129 – Rehearsal and Performance in Winter and Spring quarters, 2027. Specific assignments will be made according to the academic qualifications of the individual and programmatic need.
The position will involve music and vocal direction of the Theatre and Dance department Spring production of Spring Awakening, Book & Lyrics by Steven Sater, Music by Duncan Sheik, Based on the play by Frank Wedekind. Run of show is 7 performances between May 21-30, 2027. The successful candidate will recruit, rehearse, conduct, and play keyboard in the show orchestra during the run of the show, and work with stage director on vocal coaching of production numbers.
This work is the equivalent of one course over 2 quarters. The Musical Director will conduct vocal auditions and callbacks for the student cast according to the schedule set by the director in Winter quarter, during the week of March 8, 2027, followed by seven weeks of evening rehearsals starting on March 30 (approximately 2-4 hours/day and 5 reh/week – specific hours to be arranged). Opening night is May 21, 2027. This includes all-day technical rehearsals on May 15-16, 2027. Position also requires regular meetings with the director, choreographer and design faculty as necessary to fully realize the director’s vision of the production.
Santa Clara University is on the quarter system, and the quarters are 10 weeks long with an 11th week for final examinations. The successful candidate will teach no more than 2 courses in any quarter and no more than four courses over the fall, winter and spring quarters. All classes will be presented in-person, however, if the county health and university health conditions deteriorate, the successful candidate may be asked to teach part of the course online.
Basic Qualifications:
- Terminal degree (Ph.D./MFA) in Theatre or Music. Applicants who are ABD or possess a Master’s degree, accompanied by commensurate academic experience in Musical Theatre or a closely-related field (5-7 years of college or professional teaching), will be considered.
- Two years of experience teaching at the university level or commensurate professional experience.
- Ability to carry out the professional duties of position; working with department director, choreographer, designers, technical director and a student work crew.
- Excellent communication skills, a collaborative work style, and strong organizational skills.
- Commitment to teaching theatre through production, within a liberal arts context.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that promote access and academic success for all students.
- Experience teaching and mentoring a diverse population of undergraduate students.
- Extensive musical direction and vocal coach experience in both professional venues and university settings.
Responsibilities:
TEACHING 100%
1. Teaching duties will not exceed more than two courses in any quarter and no more than four in any academic year, and will include but are not limited to fulfilling all responsibilities associated with assigned courses, including:
a. Teach THTR 29/129 Rehearsal and Performance -
- Conduct auditions and callbacks for the student cast according to the schedule set by the director in the last week of the Winter quarter, March 8-12, 2027.
- Conduct and accompany seven weeks of evening rehearsals starting on March 30, 2027 (approximately 2-4 hours/day and 4-5 reh/week – specific hours to be arranged), and culminating with the opening night on May 21, 2027.
- Identify and secure show orchestra for music, sitzprobe, technical and dress rehearsals as well as the run of the show by no later than April 23, 2027 so that appropriate contracts can be secured in advance of musician rehearsals.
- Attend design and production meetings as required.
- Attend all day technical rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday May 15 and 16, 2027.
- Conduct, and play keyboards in, the show orchestra for music, sitzprobe, technical and dress rehearsals, and the run of the show of 7 performances, May 21-30, 2027.
2. Fulfill other instructional or academic duties such as attending faculty meetings or department special events, as may be assigned by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or the Chair of the Department.
SERVICE (0%) This position does not require any service duties. You may be invited, but not required, to attend department meetings or activities.
REQUESTED APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Please submit the following documents through the Workday hiring portal by OCTOBER 26, 2026
- Letter of interest;
- CV;
- Contact information for two references (both email and phone numbers).
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Winter quarter 2027 (January 4 – March 19, 2027)
Auditions: 2-3 evenings during the week of March 8-12, 2027.
Spring quarter 2027 (Mar 30 – Jun 11, 2027)
Accompany seven weeks of evening rehearsals starting March 30, 2027.
Confirm orchestra musicians for contracting by April 23, 2027.
Technical rehearsals: All day Saturday and Sunday May 16 and 17, 2027.
Dress rehearsals: Tuesday - Thursday May 18-20, 2027.
7 Performances: May 21-23 and May 27-30, 2027. Curtain: Thursday - Saturday 8pm; Sunday 2pm.
Director: Aldo Billingslea
Choreographer: Pauline Locsin Venue: Louis B. Mayer Theatre, Santa Clara, CA
Questions can be directed to: Kimberly Mohne Hill, [email protected]
Letters of recommendation (if requested) and additional documentation should be sent to Ruth Mikusko, Academic Department Manager [[email protected]].
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Please note that your employment is subject to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 (“Local 1021”; see https://www.scu.edu/provost/faculty-affairs/cba-ntt/).
Telecommute
Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.
EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decisionmaking, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/.
Clery Notice of Availability
Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at [email protected] or by phone at (408)554-5750. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact [email protected].
Work Authorization:
SCU does not sponsor any applicants for work visas for this position. The successful candidate must be able to provide evidence of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.
