Lecturer, Director of UHD Chorus/Lecturer of Music

 Description 

Review of applications will begin on April 3 and continue until the position is filled.

The University of Houston-Downtown Department of Arts and Communication is seeking candidates for the non-tenure track position of Director of UHD Chorus/Lecturer of Music. The intended candidate should be committed to excellence in music learning and teaching at a Hispanic and Minority serving institution. The successful candidate will initiate the formation of the chorus upon arrival in consultation with the department chair and faculty.  The position is a 9-month renewable appointment.

• Teaches three 3-credit hour undergraduate courses each long semester in music, primarily in the history of jazz.
• Directs all aspects of a university choral group including programming, rehearsal, and concerts. 
• Able to work with university faculty and staff regarding procedural or administrative items necessary for directing a university chorus, including space reservation, event advertising and budget management.

EEO/AA

Qualifications 

• Master’s Degree in Music with an emphasis on choral conducting or a related field.
• Evidence of ability to teach jazz history (and other areas related to the candidate’s expertise) and to lead a choral ensemble.
• A record of professional activities in choral conducting and teaching.
• Ability to support chorus in rehearsal and performance with basic keyboard skills.
• Experience conducting diverse choral programming not limited to but inclusive of jazz choral works.
• Demonstrated achievement in research/creative activity through performance, publications, and presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Music or D.M.A.
• Experience in college-level choral conducting including students with majors and community members.
• Demonstrated ability to provide pedagogical and musical leadership in music beyond the Western European tradition (e.g., community-based music, improvisation, jazz, new and emerging ensembles, popular/contemporary music, hip hop, gospel, or Latin-American genres).
• Ability to teach in-person, online, and hybrid formats.

About University of Houston Downtown

The second-largest university in Houston, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is a comprehensive, four-year, urban university in the heart of downtown. Led by President Loren J. Blanchard, UHD is a community of diverse faculty, staff, students, and regional partners dedicated to nurturing talent, generating knowledge, and driving socioeconomic mobility for a just and sustainable future.  

Since opening its doors in 1974, UHD has grown in size, scope, and service, now offering 46 bachelor’s and 11 master’s degree programs and 17 fully online programs within its four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences & Technology.

UHD educates approximately 15,000 students annually. With more than 77% of UHD’s students coming directly from Harris County, UHD is not just a university in Houston, but Houston’s University and an Anchor Institution for the region.

UHD is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military-Friendly School. While the student population is largely Hispanic at 53% and African-American at 20%, more than 64 countries are represented. Furthermore, UHD has the most affordable tuition among four-year universities in Houston, and its graduates have the lowest student loan debt in the state. Importantly, 70% of UHD freshman students are the first in their families to attend college.

UHD is one of the four distinct and separate components of the University of Houston System, which also includes the University of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake, and University of Houston-Victoria.  Instructional Sites operated by UHD are University of Houston-Downtown Northwest, University of Houston-Downtown at Lone Star College-Kingwood, and University of Houston-Downtown at Lone Star College-Woodlands.

 Required Attachments by Candidate: Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Letters of Recommendation, Teaching Philosophy or Statement, Portfolio