"Assistant Professor - Music (Director of Bands)"

Job Details

The Department of Music seeks applicants for a twelve-month tenure track faculty position to serve as the Director of Bands beginning July 1, 2026. We seek a dynamic and visionary individual to lead its instrumental ensembles and contribute to the university’s mission. The selected candidate will be responsible for teaching courses in the candidate’s areas of expertise and participating in service at the department, college, and university levels. The selected candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to community engagement, student recruitment, and artistic excellence while upholding the strong musical tradition of VSU and advancing innovative approaches to music education and performance.

The Department of Music is made up of ~25 faculty/artist teachers and over 150 music majors and minors. The department presents over 150 musical performances for the public each year. In addition, several of the major performing ensembles within the department travel throughout Georgia, the Southeast and abroad, perform for schools, civic groups, and as part of community concert series. The Department of Music recently expanded into Powell Hall, a newly renovated, historically preserved, state-of-the-art music facility; featuring new administrative offices, a stunning 200-seat recital hall, faculty studios, rehearsal studios, and practice rooms. VSU is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. For more information visit https://www.valdosta.edu/music.

Online application is required. For full consideration submit completed application by October 23, 2025. For more information contact Dr. Laurel Yu, Interim Department Head, via email lsyu@valdosta.edu or phone: 229-333-5804.

Application materials should include:

• A cover letter addressing qualifications and vision for the VSU Bands
• Curriculum vitae
• Short teaching philosophy with actions for community engagement and recruitment strategies
• Contact information for three professional references, one of which must be from the applicant’s current institution
• Links to performances and rehearsal videos no longer than 30 minutes

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct the VSU Wind Ensemble and other instrumental ensembles as assigned.
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in conducting and music education, and other courses as assigned up to 9 credit hours (with a course release for Director duties) per semester (Fall, Spring and Summer).
• Lead strategic recruitment initiatives to grow and diversify the VSU Bands program.
• Work directly with the Assistant Director of Bands on Marching Band initiatives, recruitment, and program growth.
• Develop and implement a long-term vision for the growth and visibility of the bands.
• Engage actively in fundraising, budgeting, procurement, and development efforts.
• Maintain strong ties with local and regional music educators and community organizations.
• Mentor and supervise undergraduate and graduate students in all degree programs.
• Participate in departmental, college, and university service, including forward facing community engagement.
• Pursue scholarly, creative, or professional activity consistent with university expectations.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• DMA or PhD in Music Education or Conducting.
• Demonstrated success in conducting collegiate-level ensembles.
• Evidence of effective teaching and recruiting in university or equivalent music settings.
• Strong record of community involvement, recruitment, and engagement.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least one degree in Music Education.
• Experience with practicum and student teacher placements and field observations.
• Experience working with first generation and non-traditional students.
• Familiarity with Georgia music education standards and regional band programs.
• Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines and departments, including establishing strong and lasting connections with local stakeholders in music programs.
• Record of creative activity, scholarship, or professional engagement.
• Experience with budgeting, fundraising, and procurement processes.

Valdosta State University, founded in 1906, is a comprehensive university with a student enrollment of approximately 10,200. The city of Valdosta is located just north of the Florida state line on Interstate 75, is served by a regional airport, and is within a two-hour drive of Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information, visit https://www.valdosta.edu, and for more information about the community, and https://www.valdostachamber.com.

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.