Associate Director of Choirs - Assistant or Associate Professor

Job Title
Associate Director of Choirs - Assistant or Associate Professor

Requisition Number
FE05091

Working Title
Associate Director of Choirs

Department Name
8X230:Keyboard, Voice, and Strings

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Type of Position
Faculty

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Tenure Track Status
Tenure Track

Required Education

Doctorate in Choral Conducting or Choral Music Education

Required Related Experience

• Demonstrated success in conducting collegiate choral ensembles.
• Demonstrated excellence in building and developing collegiate choral ensembles through conducting, programming, and recruitment.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring at the collegiate level.
• Evidence of effective collaboration and commitment to shared artistic, curricular, and administrative leadership.
• Evidence of ongoing scholarly or creative activity in choral music or choral music education, with regional or national professional engagement.
• Demonstrated commitment to student recruitment, engagement, and success.

Required License/Registration/Certification

N/A

Job Summary

The University of Kentucky School of Music seeks an accomplished and collaborative conductor-teacher to join its choral faculty in a full-time, tenure-track appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank as Associate Director of Choirs. The assignment period for this 9-month faculty position is August 16th – May 15th. The successful candidate will serve as primary conductor of UK Choristers, contribute substantively to the shared artistic leadership of another major choral ensemble, and participate in graduate and undergraduate instruction.

The position is part of a three-faculty choral leadership model. Specific teaching, ensemble, and administrative responsibilities will be coordinated across the choral area according to program needs and the successful candidate’s strengths. Distribution of Effort is adjusted annually to meet program needs with initial distribution of 50% Instruction, 40% Research/Creative Activity, and 10% Service.


Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as primary conductor of UK Choristers, share artistic leadership of another major UK choral ensemble, and participate in collaborative large-scale projects.
• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in choral conducting, choral methods, choral literature, student teacher supervision, and related areas.
• Participate in graduate and undergraduate mentoring, committees, and conducting projects.
• Recruit undergraduate and graduate students and contribute to auditions, campus visits, festivals, school partnerships, and other outreach initiatives.
• Collaborate with choral, voice, music education, and other performance faculty to support shared artistic and curricular goals.
• Share responsibility for the administration and operation of UK Choral Activities, including selected work in programming, communication, production, touring, assessment, and strategic planning.
• Engage in national scholarly and creative activities, maintaining a high profile of excellence in the field.
• Serve on School, College, and University committees and participate in relevant professional organizations.

About the School of Music:

The University of Kentucky School of Music has played an important part in the development of musical life in Kentucky and beyond since 1918.

The School offers degree programs within five areas of study as well as minors in music performance and music theory & history. Our performance areas are brass, keyboard, percussion, strings, voice, and winds; each boasting world-class faculty. Additionally, we have research programs for scholars and professional training for teachers.

The University of Kentucky is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).


About the College of Fine Arts


The University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts thrives by engaging individuals and communities with unique creative perspectives. The College fosters a supportive environment through artistic programming and curricula that reflect a broad range of experiences and voices.

We believe the arts are essential to both individual and community life, and we actively promote creative expression among our faculty, staff, and students. We are committed to attracting skilled and passionate faculty, staff, and students who contribute meaningfully to the arts and academic excellence. As a member of the state’s flagship institution, the College promotes thoughtful engagement, respect, and collaboration.

Visit our website at: http://finearts.uky.edu

Application Materials Required:

• Cover letter addressing qualifications and interest in the position
• Curriculum Vitae
• Specific Request 1 – Statement addressing teaching philosophy, collaborative leadership, and artistic or scholarly goals.
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Include the names and contact information for three references when prompted in the application. This information may be used to solicit reference letters immediately within the employment system.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications received by December 10, 2026 will be assured full consideration, but this posting is open until filled.


Employment at UK is subject to availability of funds and comes with many rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No

Preferred Education/Experience

• Experience teaching graduate conducting, choral literature, choral methods, or related coursework.
• Experience teaching undergraduate choral methods, conducting, or related music education courses.
• Experience supervising student teachers or mentoring graduate conductors.
• Demonstrated success in recruitment, outreach, festival and honor choir leadership, touring, recording, or conference presentations.
• Experience with collaborative program administration and strategic planning.
• Ability to contribute distinctive expertise that complements the strengths of the continuing choral faculty.

Deadline to Apply

Open Until Filled
Yes

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.