The Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University (OCU) and The Oklahoma Youth Orchestras (​OKYO​) invite applications for the 12-month position of Conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras. This is a tenure track, Associate Professor/Professor of Music appointment. The successful candidate will conduct the OCU Symphony Orchestra, serve as the Artistic Director for the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras, and conduct the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, the flagship ensemble of the organization.  

The University seeks a dynamic professional to lead a vibrant orchestra program preparing student musician​s​ for careers as educators and performers. In addition to conducting the Symphony Orchestra, the successful candidate will also teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses in area of specialty. Additionally, the successful candidate will advise students, participate in faculty meetings and take part in university service endeavors. Effective teaching, scholarship and service are required for retention and promotion.  

The Oklahoma Youth Orchestras seeks a dynamic professional to assume artistic leadership for the largest youth orchestra program in the state, guiding the artistic vision, staff development, and educational outcomes for students throughout the program. They will conduct the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, an auditioned ensemble consisting mainly of high school​ students.​ 

Oklahoma City University and The Oklahoma Youth Orchestras have a long partnership history, and this joint position is designed to ​continue to ​strengthen this relationship. Together we seek a team member to advance the mission of both organizations. The successful candidate will be expected to lead student recruiting and retention efforts. 

​​Qualifications:  Master‘s degree, significant university teaching experience and evidence of successful work with pre-college age students required.  Knowledge and experience in program development including but not limited to recruiting, ​repertoire and programming, ​concert planning, and artistic leadership.​​  Fundraising experience is a plus.​ 

Inclusion and Diversity: OCU and OKYO are equally committed to building a diverse and inclusive faculty, staff, and student body.  We welcome applications from members of traditionally underrepresented groups. The organizations are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and are aligned with our organizations’ overarching vision and mission. Further, we aspire to engage in our work in equitable and inclusive ways, and desire to work with a team member who is committed to OCU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s strategic goals. 

About the Wanda L. Bass School of Music:   The Wanda L. Bass School of Music, an all-Steinway school, is a fully accredited institutional member of NASM with 28 full-time and 30 adjunct faculty members, 300 undergraduate and 60 graduate students. The 75-member student Symphony Orchestra performs four major concerts each year with repertoire representing a variety of style periods. The OCU Symphony Orchestra has been honored with an ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award and represented the United States at the "Meet in Beijing" Arts Festival. Recently performed repertoire has included masterworks by Beethoven, Debussy, Mahler, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, and many others. Orchestra members also serve as the pit orchestra for two fully staged operas and two fully staged musicals each year, and the orchestra performs in the annual Christmas Vespers Concert.  

About Oklahoma Youth Orchestras:  For​ 47 seasons​, Oklahoma Youth Orchestras has provided quality music education experiences through ensemble performance to students in grades three through twelve. ​ OKYO fosters creativity, teamwork, and leadership through a strong commitment to excellence in music. ​The organization includes​ twelve p​rograms (​Six auditioned ensembles: ​two full orchestras, a wind ensemble, ​a percussion ensemble, and two ​string orchestras​; Five non-auditioned ensembles: ​​ ​the Festival Strings program​ with three satellite locations​, Studio Rockestra,​​​​​ Festival Winds; and a non-auditioned summer camp for middle school string students).​ The organization exists alongside ​​school programs and requires our participants to be enrolled in their school ensemble. Students who are homeschooled or do not have access to ​a music program ​at school have a quality ensemble experience through our programs. As a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras relies on the support of our community​​​, including the​ Oklahoma Arts Council, Allied Arts, foundations, corporations, private donors, and tuition to operate. More information on the organization can be found at www.OKYOmusic.org. ​     ​ 

About Oklahoma City University:  Oklahoma City University was founded in 1904 and is a coeducational, urban, private liberal arts university located in the Uptown district of Oklahoma City. The university is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and offers a wide variety of degrees in the liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Oklahoma City University has the highest rating over all Oklahoma institutions listed in the top tier of the regional, master’s-level university category by the U.S. News and World Report, and the university has been recognized repeatedly as one of The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For.” https://youtu.be/N4Boc4Zplfk 

About Oklahoma City:  Oklahoma City University is located in the historic and vibrant Uptown 23rd District in the heart of Oklahoma City; a unique, thriving, friendly city with a low cost of living and lots of sunshine.  Oklahoma City is made up of 8-character districts – each with a distinct feel and personality. Oklahoma City ranks as the 20th largest city in the United States with a population of more than 687,000 and a metro population of more than 1.44 million people. Public and private partnerships during the last 10 years have dramatically transformed the face of the city, staking a claim for the future as a preeminent American city.  

Oklahoma City’s highly collaborative arts community boasts a variety of thriving organizations including the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Canterbury Voices, Oklahoma City Ballet, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Contemporary, Dead Center Film Festival, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, First Americans Museum, and Science Museum Oklahoma. There are many mid-sized theater companies, music groups, and educational organizations like Canterbury Voices and Oklahoma Arts Institute. Arts organizations are a priority in this city, generously funded by Allied Arts and the Oklahoma Arts Council, as well as strong private support from foundations, corporations and individuals. Public art is also a priority in Oklahoma, mandating public funding for each capital improvement project in the state. Plaza Walls is one example in the eclectic Plaza District.  

Oklahoma City offers all amenities found in a modern metropolitan community including a vibrant arts community, quality health care, excellence in education, great food options and many recreational activities. It is a distinctly livable city where you can live comfortably without high energy costs, energy shortages, smog or traffic congestion. The weather offers four distinct seasons with the annual average temperature of 60 degrees. The cost of living is low compared to similar cities in other locations. 

Employee Benefits: The joint position affords a generous and comprehensive benefits package through Oklahoma City University. Benefits offered include: health (medical, dental and vision) insurance, flexible spending accounts, university paid life insurance, university paid long-term disability insurance, retirement plans, and tuition remission for employees and qualifying dependents who wish to take classes or pursue a degree at OCU.  

Required Application Materials:  Applicants are asked to Applicants are asked to upload a Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, Statement of Teaching Philosophy, a list of 3-5 references with contact information and links to videos of representative performances and/or rehearsals.  For complete information on this position, and to submit an application, please visit our website at: https://careers.okcu.edu/jobs/search 

Contact:  
Mark Parker, Dean Bass School of Music, mparker@okcu.edu, Kris Makes, Executive Director, Oklahoma Youth Orchestras, Kris@okyomusic.org 

Deadline:  
Review of applications will begin on April 15 and will continue until the position is filled.