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Title: Assistant Professor/Associate Director of Bands
Employee Classification: Asst Professor
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
Department: School of Music
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The School of Music at Illinois State University is seeking a collaborative colleague to serve as the Associate Director of Bands. This is a nine-month, tenure-track appointment at the Assistant Professor rank, with additional summer pay for duties associated with marching band. The projected start date is August 16, 2025 with the opportunity for summer duties prior to August.

Responsibilities include: serving as primary administrator of all athletic bands, including serving as director of the Big Red Marching Machine marching band; conducting concert band(s); teaching undergraduate conducting; working collaboratively with the faculty, staff, and graduate students of the band area; administrating annual events such as the state marching band championships and concert band festival; enthusiastically recruiting students, both undergraduate and graduate, through a continuous commitment to establishing, developing, and maintaining positive working relationships with state and regional instrumental music educators; maintaining an agenda of appropriate research/creative activity; serving on committees; and performing other appropriate university service. Further duties will be dependent upon the qualifications and interests of the applicant and the needs of the School of Music. Additional opportunities with summer outreach programs and camps may be available.   

The School of Music at Illinois State University asserts that the intentional inclusion of diverse voices makes it stronger and deepens the understanding of the discipline. We actively seek to represent and advance core values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our curriculum, collaborations, and performances. Recognizing that a diverse faculty, staff, and student body enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community, the School of Music encourages applications from candidates who have experience working with a range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the culture of openness, belonging, and mutual support.

Additional Information

The School of Music, one of four schools in the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, has an enrollment of 404 music majors: 331 undergraduate and 73 graduate students. The School of Music has 51 full-time faculty and 38 graduate assistants. 

Illinois State University: IllinoisState.edu , was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Required Qualifications

1. Applicants must hold a doctorate degree in music, or related field, or have achieved ABD status with degree completion no later than May 2026. A doctorate in music is required to achieve tenure.  
2. Demonstrated excellence as a wind conductor with a strong teaching pedagogy.   
3. At least 3 years of teaching experience at the secondary and/or collegiate level.  
4. Leadership experience of a marching band program and experience with drill writing and/or arranging.  
5. Must possess a positive trajectory in creative and/or scholarly research activity and a record of ongoing participation within professional organizations.  
6. Ability to interact, communicate, and collaborate effectively and positively with administrators, Athletics personnel, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and state music educators.  
7. State law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position. 

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

8/16/2025

Required Applicant Documents

1. Current curriculum vitae.  
2. A list of five references with contact information.    
3. A formal letter of application that directly addresses the expectations and qualifications of the position. At the end of the letter, please include streaming video links to the following:  
a. Performance video of a marching band show that you directed.  
b. Rehearsal video (camera on conductor) of no more than 15 minutes of contrasting repertoire by your current school's wind band.  
c. Performance video (camera on conductor) of no more than 15 minutes of your current school's wind band.  
All materials must be in .pdf with embedded links to streaming videos (i.e. YouTube). Be sure that your links are set to proper sharing settings.

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of applications will begin November 24, 2024 and will continue until filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

Kaitlyn Tossie
kjohns38@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.