Faculty Openings > Music > Orchestra Conductor

Calvin College invites applications for a tenure-track position in the Music Department:

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Conductor of the 80/90- member Calvin College Orchestra. The candidate will audition, rehearse, and conduct the orchestra in numerous concert venues throughout each academic year, as well as in semi-regular national and/or international tours. Additional responsibilities will be assigned based on the candidate’s areas of expertise with preference for music appreciation, musicianship courses, music theory, and/or private instruction; with additional possibilities in jazz, opera music direction, and/or conducting the Calvin Alumni Orchestra.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The candidate should have a doctorate (or ABD), preferably in conducting, or equivalent experience by the time of hire, show a strong Christian commitment consonant with the College’s mission statement, and be able to demonstrate the ability and passion of integrating faith with learning, teaching, and musical life. We seek a candidate who has a love for conducting and teaching and who will eagerly work toward the common goals of the Music Department.

APPOINTMENT:

This is a tenure-track appointment beginning September 1, 2009. Rank and salary are dependent upon qualifications and experience.

THE COLLEGE:

Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Calvin College has a faculty of 300 and an enrollment of approximately 4200 students. It is a comprehensive liberal arts college affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church. Our mission statement declares our vision as follows: “Through our learning, we seek to be agents of renewal in the academy, church, and society. We pledge fidelity to Jesus Christ, offering our hearts and lives to do God’s work in God’s world.” Faculty members are expected to adhere to the historic Reformed/Presbyterian confessions and support the religious identity and educational mission of the college. For further information, visit our web site at http://www.calvin.edu.

THE DEPARTMENT:

The Music Department, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, offers two degrees. The Bachelor of Arts degree is for general music majors and for students concentrating in music performance, theory/composition, history, or music in worship. The Bachelor of Music Education is for students who wish to teach music K-12 in either choral or instrumental. The Music Department serves approximately 85 students per year in its various major programs. In addition, 250-300 students per year take music classes to fulfill a fine arts requirement, 450-500 perform in our choirs, bands, orchestra, and other ensembles, and more than 200 take private lessons.

APPLICATIONS:

An application form is found at http://www.calvin.edu/admin/provost/open. A complete application dossier will include a letter of application, curriculum vitae, college and grad school transcripts (photocopies are accepted initially), three letters of reference, a DVD or VHS recording of the candidate in performance(s) as a conductor, and a one-page statement explaining how the candidate’s Christian faith shapes his/her musical life. Send to:

Dr. Bert Polman
Music Department Chair
Calvin College
1795 Knollcrest Circle SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4404
Phone: (616) 526-6023
Fax: (616) 526-6266
E-mail: musicchair@calvin.edu