Director of Bands

EXPIRED

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

The Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts seeks an exceptional and experienced musician and leader, able to collaborate with faculty, students and staff in an innovative, enriching, educational environment. The Director of Bands is responsible for the orchestration and coordination of all facets of the band program that supports student growth and learning, athletics, and university representation. With specific responsibility for the SHOWTIME Marching Band, Wind Symphony and Pep Band, the Director of Bands has an active interface with the Department of Music faculty and is expected to be in service to the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and to the University. The Director of Bands will maintain a regional, national, and international profile through scholarship and creative activities in the wind band field, will demonstrate a commitment to performing repertoire that is diverse, and will stretch the cultural, artistic, and aesthetic range of performance experiences to which students are exposed. Our new colleague will bring a vision for audience development, community engagement, and outreach aligned with the profession.

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:

Supervising band members, undergraduate and graduate assistants and administrative staff.

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

The Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts seeks an exceptional and experienced musician and leader, able to collaborate with faculty, students and staff in an innovative, enriching, educational environment. The Director of Bands is responsible for the orchestration and coordination of all facets of the band program that supports student growth and learning, athletics, and university representation. With specific responsibility for the SHOWTIME Marching Band, Wind Symphony and Pep Band, the Director of Bands has an active interface with the Department of Music faculty and is expected to be in service to the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and to the University. The Director of Bands will maintain a regional, national, and international profile through scholarship and creative activities in the wind band field, will demonstrate a commitment to performing repertoire that is diverse, and will stretch the cultural, artistic, and aesthetic range of performance experiences to which students are exposed. Our new colleague will bring a vision for audience development, community engagement, and outreach aligned with the profession.

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:

Supervising band members, undergraduate and graduate assistants and administrative staff.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Internal contacts may include senior administrators, faculty, students and staff. External contacts may include vendors, consultants and the general public.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

In ensuring the coordination, quality, and symmetry of the university band program the Director among others, has the following specific duties:

Leads a robust and dynamic band program to represent Howard University.

Provides artistic leadership, curricular and development of band skills for band members to enhance overall performance.

Ability to schedule and execute all phases of performance preparation that attends to the needs of students and the ultimate performance product.

Prepares and executes all phases of a marching band of observable excellence in both sight and sound.

Provides overall leadership of the bands full and part-time staff and their responsibilities including band arranging, field show design, and program development.

Develops strategies that effectively use scholarships and fundraising to achieve enrollment goals.

Fosters structures, behaviors, and discipline that enhance student perseverance to achieve a quality band program.

Executes a recruitment strategy that delivers an appropriately sized and quality marching band.

Manages band program participation in on-campus events and programs, large-scale traditions, and off-campus events.

Plans and implements a summer band campus experience, regular rehearsal/practice schedule, and performance schedule.

Collaborates with Campus Partners including Athletics, Admissions, Student Affairs, and others to contribute to the student life experience.

Provides administrative leadership for the band program by serving as a good steward of university assets and managing the band budget, instruments, equipment, uniforms, practice facility, etc.

Approximately 60 percent of time is spent as Music Director and 40 percent of time is administrative.

Models professional and personal behaviors that further the interest of the band program and the University.

Recruit prospective students to Howard University and into the band program through high school recruitment visits, participation in recruitment events, and consistent outreach to students and band directors regionally, nationally and internationally.

Host on-campus high school band competitions and summer camps.

Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Successful experience serving in a leadership role for a Marching Band on the college level.

Experience with fund raising and recruitment, and the ability to collaborate with others in the ongoing development of the music curriculum.

Effective pedagogical skills.

Excellent written and spoken communication skills.

High energy and enthusiasm to work with students and propel them toward success.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Flexible hours, including weekends and evenings, are required to execute the position’s responsibility.

Frequent travel to/from off-campus events, athletic games, and recruitment activities.

Occasional travel to/from campus for the facilitation of trainings, meetings and other university functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

At least five to ten years of demonstrated success as a head band director and a master’s degree.

Experience performing in ensembles and in building a concert band program and music administration is preferred.

Skill in arranging music.

Capacity to use technology (software) to arrange and plan performances.

Note: This position description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position.Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required.The university has the right to revise this position description at any time.This position description is not to be construed as a contract for employment.