General information

Rank: Assistant Professor of Music, tenure-track

The School of Music in the Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in vocal coaching, to begin in August 2024.

Job Description

The ideal candidate’s responsibilities will include opera coaching for current productions, applied opera and vocal coaching, and teaching diction courses as well as courses in art song and opera literature. When possible, the coach will also be asked to work with student pianists and conductors interested in opera productions. She/he/they will be an important member of the opera area, and can expect to participate in planning and recruitment activities, as well as to serve on committees as assigned by the Director of the OU School of Music. In addition, she/he/they will be expected to maintain an active schedule of research and creative activities in international, national and regional settings as a coach, pianist and artist-teacher.

Additional information

The new coach will be one of two coaches in an opera area that includes an artistic director/conductor and stage director, which produces two fully-staged opera performances with full orchestra annually, as well as scenes and outreach programs. The opera area works closely with a 5-member vocal area and OU’s University Theater production system, which includes stage, lighting and costume design.

OU’s opera program provides training in all aspects of opera, and includes an M.M. in Voice with Opera Emphasis. Our graduates have found careers in performance as well as teaching throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Norman, Oklahoma is situated within a vibrant artistic community that encompasses opera companies, symphonies, and chamber music societies, as well as being located in close proximity to major artistic regions such as Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Santa Fe, all of which have welcomed OU artist-faculty and graduates as performers.

Required Qualifications

M.M. or equivalent professional experience in a field relevant to vocal and opera coaching. Evidence of coaching experience in professional companies and in both undergraduate and graduate university programs; thorough knowledge of languages and diction, including all the major operatic languages: Italian, French, German and English; thorough knowledge of operatic and art song literature; and pianistic skills.

Desired Qualifications

Earned D.M.A. or equivalent professional experience in a field relevant to vocal and opera coaching. Individuals who have special interest in preparing young singers for professional careers are encouraged to apply, and should submit, if available, evidence of mentoring and teaching in pre-professional as well as collegiate programs. We are especially interested in candidates who will contribute to the deeply collaborative nature of our opera program, and who will bring creativity and artistry to our work, including the recruitment of gifted young singers and the development of performance opportunities for them.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applications should be submitted electronically through Interfolio.com.

Please submit:

1) A letter of application;

2) a complete curriculum vita;

3) 3 digital links to your recent artistic work (within the last 5 years), which may include performances;

4) Contact information for three references.

A coaching and teaching video will be requested for finalists at a later date.

Screening will begin December 12, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.

Letters of application should be submitted through Interfolio and addressed to:

Jonathan Shames, Chair, Vocal Coach Search Committee

University of Oklahoma School of Music

500 W. Boyd, Room 138

Norman, OK 73019

For more information about the position, contact the Chair of the Vocal Coach Search Committee, Dr. Jonathan Shames, jshames@ou.edu.