After 12 years of public school education (14 if you count little kiddo school), 5 years of undergraduate training (earning a music education degree), 2 years teaching in the public schools, 2 years earning a master’s degree (choral conducting) and nearly 5 years working on a doctorate (choral conducting) here is a job that has recently been listed that I’m qualified to teach:

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN COLLEGES
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

SENIOR LECTURER OF MUSIC
UW-MANITOWOC

The University of Wisconsin Colleges Department of Music is inviting applications for a full time Instructional Academic Staff position of Senior Lecturer and Instrumental/Choral Conductor at the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc campus starting with the 2010-11 academic year. http://depts.uwc.edu/music/ The Manitowoc campus is one of 13 two year transfer institutions that make up the UW Colleges as part of the University of Wisconsin System.

QUALIFICATIONS: Master’s degree in music a minimum, with preference given to candidates with completed or very nearly completed doctoral degrees. Demonstrated competence in choral and instrumental conducting as well as a high level of piano proficiency (if piano is not primary performance vehicle) required. Teach primary applied area as time and load allows. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: Build and teach a music academic program that will include courses such as Music Appreciation, Jazz Appreciation, Music Theory and Aural Skills. First year conducting responsibilities will include conducting the Concert Choir and/or possibly small vocal/instrumental ensembles. Future responsibilities may include conducting a highly successful jazz ensemble (big band) and/or Symphonic Band www.lakeshorewindensemble.org.

Application: Electronic applications, preferably in Word format, are required. Please send a letter of interest, current vita, official graduate transcripts, a one page statement of teaching philosophy, a brief 2-3 page overview plan of recruiting and building an academic and music major program, and names and telephone numbers of three references to: Jane Turner, Dean’s Assistant, UW-Manitowoc jane.turner@uwc.edu

TRANSLATION:

• Senior Lecturer: You are a professor, but you cannot be tenured.
• UW - Manitowoc: This is a 2-year branch campus.  You will recruit just as hard as a traditional 4-year institution, but only have access to the students for 2 years.
• Also, you will live in or near Manitowoc, Wisconsin; a city listed as “within driving distance” of Milwaukee, with a population of around 34,000.  This means you will probably not be able to take many (or any) outside gigs in your chosen field.
• Master’s Degree (etc.):  You must be qualified to teach at a university to be acceptable for this job (ie. basically have a doctorate), meaning you will have spent around 10-15 years building a resumé (school, teaching, and professional development).
• You must be readily able to conduct a choir, a jazz band, and be able to play piano: You will be over worked.
• Responsibilities section: You must teach music history, sightsinging, theory, jazz appreciation, and conduct the choral ensembles (while you play the piano) in your first year.  If you’re good, next year you may also be able to conduct the jazz program.
• Application section:  Your submission information will be highly scrutinized and discussed, including not only your official transcripts, CV and recommenders, but plans on recruiting students and building an entire music major before we ever meet you in person.
• Upon further research, this position pays exactly $31,865 per year.

This is why I get so disheartened when people say to me “I’m sure you’ll get a job, Case.  Just keep looking.  Something will come up.”  Also, this is why I’m looking outside the regular academic circles.

Donations can be sent to: Caseyneedsagoodconductingjob.com