Job Description

Title: Director of Orchestras
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 an engaging and collaborative colleague to serve as the Director of Orchestras. This is a nine-month, tenure-track appointment at the Assistant Professor rank. The projected start date is August 16, 2027.

Responsibilities for the position include: serve as artistic director, principal conductor, and administrator of a university orchestra program within a comprehensive school of music; teach undergraduate and graduate music major courses as assigned; teach general education and non-major courses as assigned; enthusiastically recruit students through a continuous commitment to establishing, developing, and maintaining positive working relationships with high school/junior high orchestra directors and state/regional string teachers; plan and host recruiting events; engage in community outreach as assigned; maintain a program of appropriate research/creative activity, serve on committees, and perform 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.

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

For more University Benefit information: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/
Information regarding eligibility for participation in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/insurance/.

Additional Information

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: 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 

$72,828-$74,285

Required Qualifications

1. Doctorate in music or a closely related field, or ABD with degree completion by May 2027. A doctoral degree is required for tenure.
2. Evidence of successful orchestral conducting experience and effective teaching in higher education.
3. Evidence of successful conducting, teaching, and/or mentoring experiences with precollege orchestra and string students.
4. Evidence of collaboration with colleagues, students, and community partners.
5. State law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position.

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

August 16, 2027

Required Applicant Documents

1. Current curriculum vitae. 
2. A list of five references with contact information.   
3. A formal letter of application. At the end of the letter, please include streaming video links to the following:
a. 15 minute orchestra rehearsal video (camera on conductor)
b. 15 minute orchestra performance video. Excerpts/cuts are okay. Please include two or more contrasting styles/genres.

All materials must be in .pdf format 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 1 and continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

Lydia Sheehan (ljspurg@ilstu.edu)
Office Administrator

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 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.