Department Summary
The College of Music is the largest public university music program and one of the most respected comprehensive music schools in the United States. It offers fully accredited degrees from the bachelor to doctoral levels and is home to the world’s first jazz studies degree program. Faculty include internationally acclaimed artists and scholars in composition, conducting, ethnomusicology, music education, music entrepreneurship, music history, music theory and performance. The college presents more than 1,100 concerts and recitals annually. UNT music alumni can be found around the globe in impressive, award-winning careers across a wide-range of music professions.
Position Summary
The College of Music at the University of North Texas is looking for an experienced Opera Conductor and Coach to join UNT Opera within the Division of Ensembles and Conducting and be the Music Director for UNT Opera.
UNT Opera presents three full productions each year, two of them accompanied by the UNT orchestras and one concert opera in the intimate setting of the Lyric Theater. Productions are carefully selected with the goal of exposing our students to a wide variety of literature in a broad range of musical and theatrical styles. Students are given opportunities for solo or ensemble roles that complement their education both vocally and dramatically (productions are usually double-cast). Preparation for every production emphasizes process as well as product. Through consistent, individualized training, students achieve the highest standards of performing excellence and are prepared to enter the world of professional opera.
Teaching Duties: As Music Director of UNT Opera, the successful candidate will offer musical leadership for a majority of projects over the year, helping to develop an opera program that is already substantial and nationally renowned and build its prominence. The candidate will contribute to building a new Graduate Artist Certificate Program in Opera Coaching for pianists and collaborate in building an existing Graduate Artist Certificate (GAC) in Opera Performing for singers; coach and prepare GAC, graduate and undergraduate singers for projects as assigned by the Director of Opera; conduct rehearsals; prepare orchestras and conduct selected performances; participate in programming and casting decisions; play piano for rehearsals, performances, and auditions as necessary; coach and play piano for some acting classes and master classes; and other duties as assigned by the Dean or the Dean’s designee.
Scholarship/Creative Activity: contribute to the peer-reviewed conversations of the discipline at the national and/or international level as an opera conductor, coach, or collaborative pianist.
Service: provide service to the College of Music, the University, the profession, and the opera program; help recruit outstanding undergraduate and graduate students; play piano for various outreach, fund-raising & publicity events; participate in planning and scheduling meetings and contribute to the success and efficiency of UNT Opera.