POSITION DESCRIPTION
The John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Director of Orchestral Studies to lead and cultivate a dynamic orchestral program that serves music majors across multiple concentrations. We seek a visionary conductor, teacher, and collaborator who will inspire students, engage audiences, and contribute to the artistic and intellectual vibrancy of our community.
The successful candidate will provide artistic and administrative leadership for the School’s orchestral program, including conducting major ensembles, programming diverse and compelling repertoire, and mentoring student musicians in performance excellence. Teaching responsibilities include applied and ensemble conducting at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as courses in orchestral literature that prepare students for careers as performers, educators, and leaders in the field.
Additional responsibilities include active student recruitment and retention on a regional and national scale, advising and mentoring students to support their academic and professional growth, and contributing to faculty committees and service at both the school and university level. The Director of Orchestral Studies is expected to pursue ongoing scholarship and creative activity, demonstrate effective teaching, and engage in meaningful service for retention and promotion.
This leadership role offers the opportunity to shape a forward-looking orchestral program, collaborate closely with colleagues across disciplines, and elevate the presence of orchestral music within the School of Music, the university, and the broader cultural community. We seek a dynamic professional who will foster excellence, innovation, and inclusion, and who will bring energy and imagination to advancing all aspects of the orchestral experience for our students.
THE JOHN J. CALI SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND THE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
The John J. Cali School of Music offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education, music performance, music therapy, theory/composition, and jazz studies, as well as a two-year Artist’s Diploma and one-year Performer’s Certificate. Twenty-one full-time faculty members (fourteen of whom are tenured) and approximately 200 part-time instructors serve more than 500 students, who matriculate through a competitive admissions process. The school maintains strong relationships with professional performance and educational organizations along with several music schools around the world, and in the 21-22 Academic Year launched two major new initiatives with the Cali Pathways Project, focused on reducing barriers for burgeoning musicians in under-resourced communities, and the Cali Immersive Residency program, imbedding world-renowned artists and ensembles for week long residencies at the school. Its facilities provide a conservatory-like setting, consisting of the 235-seat Jed Leshowitz Recital Hall, teaching studios, music practice and rehearsal rooms, and faculty studios. Our students and faculty engage in over 300 concerts and recitals a year.
The College of the Arts (CART) at Montclair State University is a dynamic, collaborative, and inspiring community. With more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs across the Department of Art & Design, the John J. Cali School of Music, and the Department of Theatre and Dance, CART is a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation. Over 2,000 diverse and talented students bring our state-of-the-art studios, stages, and classrooms to life every day, supported by passionate academic advisors and a career services team dedicated to their success. Programs are rigorous, creative, and designed to meet the needs of all students while offering rich opportunities for experiential learning, performance, and internships. Our faculty is a powerhouse of working composers, designers, actors, musicians, choreographers, conductors, fine artists, scholars, and professionals—Fulbright, Guggenheim, and Howard Award recipients among them—who shape the next generation through close mentorship and hands-on learning. The College is also home to the University Art Galleries, Arts and Cultural Programming, and Broadcast and Media Operations, anchoring deep connections with corporate and arts partners. Whether on campus or in the broader community, CART pulses with energy, excellence, and the belief that the arts can transform lives.
QUALIFICATIONS
A terminal degree or equivalent professional experience is required, along with substantial university-level teaching experience and a demonstrated ability to engage and support college-aged students. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in program development, including student recruitment, concert planning, and artistic leadership. Candidates should also show clear potential for a distinguished career as a performing artist, educator, and scholar at both national and international levels. Preferred qualifications include a proven record of innovative programming and commissioning, excellence in classroom instruction, effective recruiting strategies, and the ability to contribute meaningfully within an interdisciplinary academic community.
- REQUIRED MATERIALS:
- Cover letter, curriculum vitae, research and teaching statements, which can be uploaded during the application process.
- Links to recent recordings of rehearsals and performances (submit examples of three recent concert programs).
- 3 letters of recommendation, which can be sent to: Music@montclair.edu
Salary Range
$97,003.17-$154,773.95 Annually
The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/benefits/
Montclair State University considers factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s relevant work experience, education, skills, and internal equity, when extending an offer.
Salary offers for internal employees who are part of a collective bargaining unit (CBU) and are applying to a position that is within a CBU will be determined in accordance with contractual provisions.
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