Director of Choirs / Open Rank

Job Title
Director of Choirs / Open Rank

Requisition Number
FE04738

Working Title

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 required

Required Related Experience

• Demonstrated success as a conductor of collegiate choral ensembles
• A record of excellence in teaching and mentorship at the collegiate level
• Commitment to a shared leadership model with choral faculty
• Demonstrated excellence in conducting, programming, and recruiting for TTBB ensembles
• Commitment to exploring varied repertoire and amplifying voices from across the choral landscape
• Evidence of ongoing scholarly/creative activities in the field of choral music
• Experience with ensemble touring, recordings, and conference presentations

Required License/Registration/Certification

N/A

Job Summary

The University of Kentucky School of Music invites applications for the position of Director of Choirs. We seek an exceptional, visionary choral conductor and educator to collaboratively lead a dynamic, nationally recognized choral program. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to artistic excellence, student mentorship and community engagement through a shared leadership model with choral faculty. Candidates may be eligible to be named to the Endowed Professorate in Choral Studies. We welcome applications from candidates at all faculty ranks, including Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor.


Primary Responsibilities:

• Conduct the UK Chorale, the university’s premier mixed choral ensemble, and the UK Men’s Chorus, a nationally recognized TTBB choir.
• Teach courses in graduate choral conducting, choral literature, and choral methods.
• Recruit undergraduate and graduate choral students, and supervise and mentor graduate conducting students, including teaching weekly individual conducting lessons.
• Through a shared leadership model with choral faculty, guide UK Choirs artistically and administratively, in ensemble programming, recruitment, touring, budgeting, and strategic planning.
• Collaborate regularly with voice faculty and other performance areas.
• Engage in national/international scholarly and creative activities, maintaining a high profile of excellence in the field.
• Serve on school, college, and university committees, and participate in professional organizations.
• Promote outreach and partnerships with area schools, community organizations, and regional music educators.

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).


Application Materials Required:

• Cover letter addressing qualifications and interest in the position
• Curriculum Vitae
• Specific Request 1 – Vision statement for shared leadership, teaching philosophy, and artistic/scholarly excellence
• 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 15, 2025 will be assured full consideration.


Employment at UK is subject to availability of funds and comes with comprehensive 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

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.