Director of Choral Activities

The posting

Job Title

Director of Choral Activities

Agency

East Texas A&M University

Department

Music

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Commerce, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

During the application process the “My Experience” page has a section provided “Attachments (Resume/CV, References, Cover letter, etc.)” to upload required documents.

• Use the Upload button to add each document.
• You will be able to upload up to 5 documents. Be aware that the maximum size allowed for any one document is 5MB.
• All documents must be electronically submitted through the Texas A&M Online Employment Services website to be considered.
• Incomplete or improperly submitted applications may be excluded from consideration.
• Please do not withdraw your application in an attempt to upload a missing document, instead please email HR for help.

Please provide the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Selected repertoire list from the last five years
• A brief (one page) statement of teaching philosophy
• A brief (one page) statement of professional activity and goals (research and/or performance)
• Transcripts (unofficial and scanned copies are acceptable)
• The names and contact information for three professional references (at least one must be able to address teaching experience and teaching effectiveness; please indicate the teaching reference in your letter of application).
• At this time, please only upload the required documents listed above; semi-finalists may be asked to submit video recordings of their conducting in performance and rehearsal, and/or teaching.

If you need assistance, please contact us at [email protected]

A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Please be advised that Texas A&M University will NOT pay this fee. Therefore, if you need immigration sponsorship for your employment, we recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense to ascertain whether your current immigration status would make a potential offer of employment from Texas A&M University subject to this fee.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbot issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

SUMMARY:

The School of Music at East Texas A&M University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor in Music (Director of Choral Activities). The successful candidate will provide artistic, academic, and programmatic leadership for the University's choral program while contributing to teaching, Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (RSCA), recruitment, outreach, and service. The position includes a reduced teaching load to accommodate administrative duties, in consultation annually with the Director of the School of Music.

The School of Music serves approximately 240 music majors across instrumental, vocal, and keyboard areas and is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). It offers baccalaureate and master's degrees in music education and performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Music. The School is housed in a $30 million music building completed in 2010 containing state-of-the-art recital and concert halls, studios, rehearsal halls, classrooms, and teaching areas.

The University Chorale has an established record of significant artistic and educational achievement, including performances at Carnegie Hall, the International Music Festival of Campina Grande in Brazil, venues in France and Austria, and the 2019 Texas Music Educators Association Convention.

The Director will lead the University Chorale and Chamber Singers; teach undergraduate and graduate courses in choral conducting, choral literature, and related areas; mentor students; and contribute to the continued growth, visibility, and reputation of the choral program through high-quality performance, programming, recruitment, outreach, and professional engagement.

The position includes an administrative release; duties will be determined based on qualifications, administrative experience, demonstrated leadership skills, and School of Music needs.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Choral Program Leadership and Artistic Direction

• Provide artistic, educational, and programmatic leadership for the University's choral program.
• Direct the University Chorale and Chamber Singers and oversee their artistic development, rehearsal, performance, and long-term growth.
• Establish high standards for ensemble musicianship, vocal technique, diction, interpretation, and performance.
• Develop an artistic vision and select repertoire representing a breadth of historical periods, styles, composers, languages, and world/cultural contexts.
• Plan concert programming and pursue appropriate performance, touring, festival, conference, and collaborative opportunities.
• Participate in strategic planning and program development for the continued growth of choral activities.

Teaching and Student Development

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in choral conducting, choral literature, and related areas as assigned.
• Provide instruction in conducting technique, score study, rehearsal methodology, choral pedagogy, repertoire, and ensemble leadership.
• Mentor and advise students pursuing careers in music education, conducting, performance, and related fields.
• Contribute to curriculum development, assessment, and program review within the choral area and School of Music.

Music Education and Professional Preparation

• Work with music education faculty to prepare students for careers as music educators and choral professionals.
• Supervise and mentor student teachers and maintain relationships with cooperating teachers and school administrators.
• Provide students with opportunities to develop professional skills in choral teaching and conducting.

Recruitment, Retention, and Outreach

• Provide leadership for recruitment and retention of undergraduate and graduate students in choral music, music education, performance, conducting, and related areas.
• Develop and implement effective recruitment initiatives and participate in auditions, clinics, workshops, festivals, prospective-student events, and other enrollment activities.
• Develop relationships with secondary-school choral directors, music educators, community organizations, and other prospective-student constituencies throughout Texas and the region.
• Represent East Texas A&M University and the School of Music at appropriate professional events and develop partnerships that strengthen the University's connections with schools, communities, and the broader choral profession.

Collaboration and School of Music Leadership

• Collaborate with faculty and administrators across the School of Music to support student success and program development.
• Maintain knowledge of vocal technique, vocal health, diction, repertoire, and performance preparation sufficient to address these areas within the choral program and coordinate with vocal faculty as appropriate.
• Contribute to a collegial, collaborative, and student-centered School of Music environment.

Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities

• Pursue creative activity through conducting, performances, recordings, guest conducting, clinics, workshops, master classes, and related professional activities.
• Engage in scholarly activity appropriate to the candidate's expertise, including research, publication, presentation, or other professional scholarship.
• Maintain appropriate professional engagement in state, regional, national, and/or international organizations.

Service

• Participate in service to the School of Music, college, University, profession, and community consistent with the expectations of a tenure-track faculty appointment.
• Contribute to accreditation, assessment, strategic planning, and other institutional activities as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of the School of Music.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

· Education: Doctorate in Music Education, Choral Conducting, Conducting, or a closely related field from an accredited institution; equivalent university experience and demonstrated achievement may be considered in lieu of the doctorate

· Experience / Knowledge / Skills:

• Demonstrated professional experience in choral conducting and ensemble leadership. Demonstrated knowledge of choral repertoire, conducting techniques, rehearsal methodology, choral pedagogy, and vocal principles relevant to choral instruction.

· Ability to:

• Demonstrated ability to conduct, rehearse, and develop choral ensembles. Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor students in a collegiate environment. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and professional colleagues.

· Licensing/Professional Certifications: N/A

· Physical Requirements: N/A

· Other Requirements: N/A

PREFERRED EDUCATION / SKILLS/ EXPERIENCE:

• Significant collegiate teaching and/or choral conducting experience and a record of successful collegiate ensemble leadership.
• Experience teaching choral conducting and choral literature at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• Demonstrated success in student recruitment, enrollment growth, or development and implementation of effective recruitment initiatives.
• Experience supervising student teachers and developing partnerships with secondary schools, community organizations, and professional music organizations.
• Demonstrated record of creative activity and/or scholarship in choral conducting, music education, vocal pedagogy, or a related field.
• Experience presenting clinics, workshops, lectures, master classes, or conducting sessions.
• Professional leadership through state, regional, national, and/or international choral or music education organizations.
• Demonstrated administrative experience involving faculty coordination, curriculum planning, recruitment, assessment, scheduling, program development, or related academic responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage competing priorities, and support faculty and student success.
• Familiarity with contemporary choral pedagogy, vocal health, repertoire encompassing a breadth of historical periods and world/cultural contexts, and evidence-informed music education.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) processes, expectations, and procedures governing Texas public school music programs, including concert and sight-reading evaluation, solo and ensemble contests, eligibility requirements, and related compliance responsibilities.
• Experience preparing students or preservice music educators for successful participation in UIL activities

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS:

NA

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Letter of application that addresses the position qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• Selected repertoire list from the last five years
• A brief (one page) statement of teaching philosophy
• A brief (one page) statement of professional activity and goals (research and/or performance)
• Transcripts (unofficial and scanned copies are acceptable)
• The names and contact information for three professional references (at least one must be able to address teaching experience and teaching effectiveness; please indicate the teaching reference in your letter of application).
• At this time, please only upload the required documents listed above; semi-finalists may be asked to submit video recordings of their conducting in performance and rehearsal, and/or teaching.

Review of candidates will begin on November 2nd, 2026.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.