Professor - Craig Jessop Endowed Chair for Choral Conducting & Community Engagement
Professor - Craig Jessop Endowed Chair for Choral Conducting & Community Engagement; Music Director, American Festival Chorus & Orchestra
Requisition ID: 2026-10813
# of Openings: 1
Location: US-UT-Logan
Category: Faculty
Position Type: Benefited Full-Time
Job Classification: Faculty
College: College of Arts & Sciences
Department: Music
Advertised Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits.
Overview
The Department of Music at Utah State University seeks an accomplished conductor, educator, and artistic leader to serve as the inaugural holder of the Craig Jessop Endowed Chair for Choral Conducting & Community Engagement and as Music Director of the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra (AFCO).
This unique position combines a faculty appointment as leader of the Master of Music in Choral Conducting program with artistic leadership of one of the Intermountain West's premier community choral and orchestral organizations. The successful candidate will provide academic leadership for graduate conducting education, contribute to the teaching, scholarship, and service mission of Utah State University, and advance the artistic excellence and community impact of the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra.
Responsibilities
Utah State University Faculty Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and oversight for the Master of Music in Choral Conducting program.
- Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in choral conducting, choral literature, rehearsal techniques, and related areas.
- Recruit, advise, mentor, and support the retention and professional development of graduate and undergraduate students.
- Supervise graduate conducting students and support their career preparation and professional placement.
- Maintain an active program of scholarly, creative, and professional engagement consistent with the expectations of a senior faculty member at a land-grant research university.
- Participate in curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and program planning.
- Contribute to departmental, college, and university service.
- Collaborate with faculty colleagues across the department, college, and university.
- Strengthen partnerships with community arts organizations and educational institutions throughout the region.
- Support recruitment, outreach, and public engagement initiatives that advance the mission of Utah State University.
American Festival Chorus & Orchestra Responsibilities:
- Serve as Music Director and principal conductor of the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra.
- Provide artistic leadership and vision for AFCO performances, programs, and initiatives.
- Program, prepare, rehearse, and conduct major choral-orchestral repertoire while sustaining AFCO's artistic standards and reputation.
- Recruit, inspire, and retain volunteer singers and community musicians.
- Collaborate with guest artists, conductors, orchestras, arts organizations, and university leadership.
- Develop and maintain relationships with patrons, donors, alumni, sponsors, and community stakeholders in support of AFCO's artistic and organizational goals.
- Contribute to audience development, community engagement, fundraising, and advocacy efforts consistent with AFCO's mission.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Choral Conducting or a related field. An equivalent record of exceptional professional achievement and national or international distinction may be considered in lieu of traditional academic credentials.
- At least five years of successful experience as a music director, artistic director, or conductor of collegiate, professional, community, church, or civic choral ensembles, with demonstrated success developing high-level ensembles.
- Demonstrated experience programming and conducting orchestras and major choral-orchestral repertoire.
- Experience teaching, administering, or coordinating choral conducting or a closely related field at the university level, including the ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in choral conducting, choral literature, rehearsal techniques, and related areas.
- Demonstrated success in student recruitment, mentoring, and retention.
- Evidence of effective community engagement and relationship building with arts organizations, schools, donors, alumni, and community stakeholders.
- Strong organizational, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Commitment to artistic excellence, student success, collaborative leadership, collegiality, and public engagement.
- Piano proficiency sufficient for teaching, rehearsal, score study, and conducting preparation.
Desired Attributes:
- Vision for artistic leadership and program development.
- Passion for graduate conducting education and mentorship.
- Ability to inspire and lead students, professional musicians, and community volunteers.
- Commitment to building meaningful connections between Utah State University and the broader community.
- Appreciation for the partnership between Utah State University and the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra.
- Commitment to continuing and expanding a tradition of artistic excellence, educational opportunity, community engagement, and service.
Required Documents
Along with the online application, please attach:
- CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV"
- Cover letter addressing qualifications and interest in the position to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Documents 1-10"
- Names and contact information of at least three references to be typed in the beginning of the application
- At least three links to recent video recordings demonstrating conducting and rehearsal leadership. Public or unlisted links are accepted. These will be typed/pasted at the end of your application
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
Starting at Minimum $110,000, commensurate with experience
ADA
Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.
College/Department Highlights
Content paraphrased for brevity. Learn more on the USU Jobs website.
Department of Music
Serves ~250 majors, offering UG/grad degrees in performance, education, therapy, and conducting. Facilities include studios, rehearsal spaces, and concert halls. https://artsci.usu.edu/music/
American Festival Chorus & Orchestra
Founded in 2008 by Craig Jessop, AFCO features 200+ singers and a 65-member professional orchestra. Programs include classical works, opera, pops, Americana, and seasonal performances. https://americanfestivalchorus.org/
Caine School of the Arts
Promotes arts education and community engagement, manages performance/exhibition facilities, and supports arts initiatives. https://artsci.usu.edu/caine/
College of Arts & Sciences
Spans arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, advancing discovery through teaching, research, creativity, and community engagement. https://artsci.usu.edu/
To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/9898363
Notice of Non-discrimination
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.
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In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.
The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU's non-discrimination policies:
Civil Rights & Title IX Office
Old Main Room 405
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322
(435) 797-1266
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://www.usu.edu/civilrights-titleix/ or contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Denver Regional Office
303-844-5695| mailto:[email protected]
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
800-421-3481 | mailto:[email protected]
*updated 08/2026
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