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Title: Teaching Associate, Voice - 998339

Position Number: 998339 

Unit/Department: Music

FTE: Full-time (9-month)

Department Summary:

Drake University’s Department of Music (School of Fine Arts) is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The Music Department’s mission is to provide a center for the study and understanding of music that develops students’ intellectual, practical, and expressive abilities by emphasizing professional preparation, collaborative learning, critical thinking, and musical communication. Drake University seeks to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. 

Drake offers the best of both worlds: a department that is large enough to support a vast range of musical activities, but small enough that students receive highly personal attention. We pride ourselves on providing big-school opportunities in a small-school environment, and our graduates are well-trained and well-rounded musicians who are highly competitive in a wide range of vocational fields.

For more about the Department, visit: https://www.drake.edu/music/.

Job Summary:

The Department of Music is excited to launch a search for a full-time Teaching Associate in Voice beginning August 2024. Teaching duties assigned, commensurate with the candidate’s expertise, to include Studio Voice with a weekly voice class (undergraduate music majors, music minors, and non-major participants); required core courses as needed by the Department (Diction, Vocal Pedagogy, Vocal Literature); and assist the Drake Opera Theatre with musical directing and conducting the orchestral ensemble. Other expectations include recruiting; building and maintaining positive strong community ties; attending voice juries and collaborating with the Voice Area.

This position is a full-time, 9-month, salaried staff appointment and includes Drake’s full benefit package. The teaching load is 12-18 hours per week, depending upon the balance between studio, opera, and classroom teaching. Typical load will be 12 hours of applied studio, 2 hours assisting with Drake Opera Theatre, and 2 hours of Diction (Diction I in the fall semester and Diction II in the spring semester).

Qualifications:

Master’s degree or Artist’s diploma at Graduate level required. Preference will be given to applicants with a record of successful teaching at the University level; training in classical and musical theater singing techniques, proficient piano skills, an active profile within their professional organizations (i.e., NATS, MTNA), and an ability to teach and connect with a diverse student population. The successful candidate will be a team player who demonstrates a commitment to the ongoing growth and excellence of the studio voice, choral, and opera programs.

Job Duties:

45% - Teaching studio voice to undergraduate students (music majors, music minors, non-music majors). Teaching weekly one-on-one lessons, administration of and attendance at weekly studio classes/departmentals, preparing students for recitals, competitions, etc. 12 hours contact time per week teaching assignment each semester (15 weeks per semester). - (Essential)

30% - Serve as Music Director and/or Conductor, Drake Opera. 2 hours weekly. - (Essential)

15% - Teach one 2-credit course (MUS 075/076 - Diction) each semester. - (Essential)

5% - Attendance at Studio Classes/Departmentals/Recitals. - (Essential)

5% - Administrative and recruitment duties in conjunction with the music department and voice area faculty. - (Essential)

Salary & Benefits

The final offered salary will be dependent upon the qualifications and experiences of the selected candidate.

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our digital benefits guide: Drake Benefits Guide (Plan Year 2024).

One of our very popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. You can learn about both the tuition waiver policy and tuition exchange programs here: Tuition Benefits.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicants will be asked to complete the online application through Drake's job board and include the following materials: a letter of application addressing qualifications, a current curriculum vitae, a philosophy of teaching, a statement of diversity, three letters of reference including contact details, and a link to a sample voice lesson instruction of fifteen-minutes in length.

Inquiries about the position or department may be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Leanne Freeman-Miller (leanne.freeman-miller@drake.edu).

Questions about the application process, working at Drake, support for dual career partnerships, reasonable accommodations, benefits, or additional information about the University or Des Moines, Iowa may be directed to Drake Human Resources at drakehr@drake.edu.

Review of Applications Begins:

To be assured of full consideration, all application materials should be received by May 1, 2024. The position will remain open until it is filled.