Assistant Professor or Artist-in-Residence and Orchestra Conductor, Music at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York

Job Description:

Summary:

The Department of Music at Skidmore College invites applications for an Assistant Professor or Artist in Residence and orchestral director to begin in Fall 2025. (Both categories entail full-time continuing contracts with periodic sabbaticals but differ in terms of tenure eligibility and service expectations. Applicants should state in their cover letter for which position they wish to apply.) 

The successful candidate will:

• have experience teaching and conducting in a higher education setting
• be an imaginative, engaging, and energetic orchestra conductor and departmental colleague who takes a teaching-oriented approach to orchestral activities
• cultivate an affirmative, student-centered orchestra program within the context of a liberal arts setting
• bring an adaptive, creative, and varied approach to teaching undergraduates 
• have the ability to integrate ensemble direction, performance, and teaching with one or more areas of humanities-based thinking about music (cultural history, theory, sociology/anthropology, sound studies, and/or performance/embodiment studies)
• have a demonstrated interest in repertoire that reflects global traditions and underrepresented voices, and an inclination toward collaboration with other ensembles in the department 
• have an interest in collaborating with other departments and programs across the College, especially interdisciplinary initiatives
• have a demonstrated interest in community engagement and collaboration with local arts organizations

Additional teaching responsibilities (beyond orchestral) will depend on the candidate's interests and expertise and may include applied music (private lessons, small ensemble coaching, conducting); lower and upper-level courses in theory or musicology (broadly defined), including our gateway course, "Thinking About Music"; arts education and outreach.  A tenure-track hire will periodically teach a Scribner Seminar (interdisciplinary seminar for first year-students) of their own design.  

The Skidmore Music Department is housed in the state-of-the-art Zankel Music Center and generous funding is available for orchestra-related programming.

Education:  Terminal degree is required for a tenure-track hire and is preferred but not required for an Artist-in-Residence hire.

Required documents needed to apply:

Applicants should submit a letter of application, a curriculum vita with links to conductor-facing video recordings, and contact information for 3-5 references (who will only be contacted at a later stage of the search). Letters of application should clearly state the applicant's 

• interest in performing and teaching music within a liberal arts setting
• understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• professional goals as an orchestra director
• teaching approaches and interests as a department faculty member

Materials should be submitted online. Applications received before February 3rd, 2025 will receive full consideration. Consideration after that date will be at the discretion of the search committee. Please note that we will be holding first-round screening interviews virtually.

Pay Rate:  $64,000-$85,000, depending on rank

Pay Ranges:  The hiring rate for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
• Academic discipline (faculty pay ranges reflect 9-month annual salary).
• Unique applicable skills.

About Skidmore College:

Skidmore is a highly selective liberal arts college in Saratoga Springs, New York with curricular strengths across the humanities, arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. Our approximately 2,500 undergraduate students come from almost 50 states and over 40 countries. Skidmore College continually strives to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are especially interested in applicants who can strengthen the diversity of our academic community, and candidates are encouraged to speak directly about this issue in their application materials.

EEO STATEMENT

Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.




Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable background check result.





CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS.