Samford University
School of the Arts
Division of Music
Assistant/Associate Professor, Director of Bands
(9-month)
November 22, 2024
Samford Universitys School of the Arts Division of Music invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian university environment to apply for the position of Director of Bands at the rank of assistant or associate professor (9-month), effective August 2025, with additional compensated responsibilities to commence July 2025. Additional consideration regarding rank and/or tenure status may be given for exceptional professional experience and/or academic credentials. This full-time faculty position is a 9-month appointment, with an additional stipend for summer activities related to Athletic Bands.
The School of the Arts is a community of artists and designers working together in music, theatre and dance, art and design, architecture and interior design, and Christian ministry. The Division of Music, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1956, offers the following degrees: bachelor of music (instrumental, vocal, piano, and organ performance, music and worship, composition, piano performance and pedagogy), bachelor of music education (vocal-choral, instrumental), bachelor of arts (music, commercial music [including concentrations in music industry, music production, performance, and songwriting] and worship leadership [including concentrations in ministry, songwriting for worship, and worship production]), bachelor of science in music, master of music (church music, piano performance and pedagogy, vocal performance, instrumental performance), and master of music education.
For more information, see the Division of Musics web page: https://www.samford.edu/arts/music/
Qualifications
Qualified candidates are required to hold either an earned masters degree or a DMA in Conducting (instrumental) from an institutionally accredited university (or equivalent), in addition to possessing exceptional teaching skills, leadership qualities, and administrative abilities. An earned terminal degree in music or music education (and required for associate professor consideration) is desired, as is experience in supervising student teachers. Additionally, to qualify for the rank of associate professor the candidate must have a demonstrated record of scholarly activity and successful academic teaching experience. Candidates are required to demonstrate successful teaching experience, expertise in marching band, and wind ensemble direction. An ability to teach courses in music education is highly desirable.
Salary and rank are dependent upon academic qualifications, professional experience, and previous academic teaching experiences.A tenure track position will require a terminal degree before appointment; non-terminal degree will qualify for non-tenure track position. The successful candidate must pass a background check.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include leading athletic bands; leading wind ensemble; teaching classes in marching band techniques; teaching Materials and Methods of Teaching Instrumental Music in the Secondary Grades; assisting the instrumental area faculty with ensemble development, curriculum, and student recruitment/retention; and supervising student teachers. Position may include additional teaching assignments based on candidate strengths and school needs including, but not limited to, conducting additional ensembles; maintaining collaborative relationships with public and private schools, Samford alumni, and other community partners; actively recruiting, retaining, and developing leaders from music majors and non-music majors at all levels; and performing other duties dependent upon candidate qualifications and university needs. The successful candidate will participate fully in departmental and university service and maintain an active scholarly agenda as a director/teacher of national prominence. A commitment to academic excellence and the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners is expected. The candidate should embrace the mission and vision of Samford University, the School of the Arts, and the Division of Music.
Application
Review of applications will begin December 6, 2024, and applications will be accepted until January 17, 2025.
Please submit one PDF file comprising: a letter of interest, a complete curriculum vitae, a teaching philosophy statement with an emphasis on band leadership, links to recent video recordings of band activities (leading rehearsals and/or performances), examples of teaching, an application for faculty position, and a faculty applicant Christian mission statement. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as Samford will not sponsor any employment visas for this position.
Additionally, please have three letters of recommendation submitted directly from the recommender to: maverett@samford.edu with the subject line denoting: LAST NAME, FIRST NAME Director of Bands Search.
Application for Faculty Position can be found at: (https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/Human_Resources/application-for-faculty-employment.pdf)
Faculty Applicant Christian Mission Statement can be found at: (https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/academic-affairs/Faculty-Applicant-Christian-Mission-Statement.docx).
Please submit all materials in PDF format (except recommendation letters that are sent separately by recommenders as indicated) to:
Subject: Director of Bands Search
For questions about the position contact:
Dr. Michael Averett, Chair
Director of Bands Search, School of the Arts, Division of Music
Samford University
About Samford University and Birmingham, Alabama
Samford University (samford.edu) is a leading nationally ranked Christian University. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th oldest institution in the U.S. and the largest privately supported and fully accredited institution for higher learning in Alabama. Located in the Birmingham, Alabama, suburb of Homewood, with 425 full-time faculty and more than 6,100 students representing 49 states and 16 countries. Samford is ranked #2 in the nation for student character development and #8 in the nation for the quality of career preparation provided to students as listed in The Wall Street Journal (2025). The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting. The University seeks and prefers employee applicants of the Christian faith and offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package. Samford University and the School of the Arts embrace diversity in their faculty, students, and staff and encourage applications from those who would add to the diversity of our academic community.
In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University. As a faith-based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination.
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