Professor - Craig Jessop Endowed Chair for Choral Conducting & Community Engagement

Location: Logan, UT | Position Type: Benefited Full-Time | Department: Music, College of Arts & Sciences | Requisition ID: 2026-10813

About the role

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.

Pay

Starting at minimum $110,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits.

About the department

Department of Music — Serves approximately 250 majors, offering undergraduate and graduate 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 and 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/