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Director of the School of Music
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Position Number: 2559701
Location: Omaha, NE
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Music

University of Nebraska at Omaha
Director of the School of Music

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and its College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media (CFAM) seek a visionary, strategic leader to serve as the next Director of the School of Music. The School of Music, which each year enrolls more than 200 undergraduate and graduate students, offers the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts in Music and Master of Music degrees which are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

One of the benefits of UNO's metropolitan campus is a vibrant arts community. Music venues include the Omaha Symphony, Opera Omaha, Omaha Performing Arts, the Omaha Music Conservatory, and various instrumental and choral groups as well as theatre and visual art venues such as the Omaha Community Playhouse (the largest community theatre in the nation), El Museo Latino, The Union for Contemporary Arts, The Kaneko, and the Joslyn Art Museum. With community engagement as a pillar of its mission, the School of Music is active within the Omaha music venues and K-12 arts education. From service learning in art courses, arts exhibitions, and community arts events, UNO faculty and students are active in supporting and providing their creative output in Omaha. The philanthropic community of Omaha also recognizes the value of the arts to a vibrant, thriving metropolitan community. The Nebraska Foundation works closely with community fundraising leaders to ensure that their efforts benefit UNO as well as the community at large.

Some of the largest factors impacting the visibility of the School of Music programs are the recent renovations of the Strauss Performing Arts Center. Originally built in 1973, the first phase of renovation and the construction of a 25,000-square-foot addition to the facility occurred in 2019. The renovations and expansion offered countless features including: a 120-seat recital hall, recording tracking room, collaborative piano rehearsal spaces, percussion studio, teaching studios, and administrative offices. In 2020, a private donation of five million dollars allowed the construction of a grand entrance, a new computer lab, a music education classroom, and other cosmetic/acoustic enhancements.

UNO has emerged as the region's premier metropolitan university, committed to teaching, research, and service. Through engaged leadership, its graduates can help improve the quality of life in the region and beyond. The university's facilities are continually updated to support a superior learning environment. In the last 10 years, $471 million has been invested in UNO facilities projects. Since building its first residence halls in 1999, UNO now has six residence hall complexes housing 2,500 students.

Since its inclusion as part of the University of Nebraska system in 1968, UNO's reputation for academic excellence, opportunity, and affordability has resulted in the University's highest total enrollment since 1992, with 15,892 students in 2020-2021. This continued momentum is driven by both undergraduate and graduate population growth. UNO welcomed its largest incoming freshman class in the last decade with 2,226 students, as well as the largest graduate student enrollment in UNO history with 3,124 students. Record-setting enrollment trends highlights UNO's commitment to accessibility and the diverse student body that it attracts and serves as part of its metropolitan university mission. Total enrollment is composed of 11,372 full time and 4,520 part time students. Overall, 37% of students are first generation and 29.5% of students are ethnically diverse. UNO's student body includes more underrepresented students than any other school in the University of Nebraska system and nearly a tenth of the student population are military-affiliated. UNO is currently in the Top 10 of the Military Times Best for Vets ranking.

The Director will serve as the academic and administrative officer of the School of Music, reporting to the Dean of the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media. The Director is a key member of the Dean's Leadership Team--a highly collaborative, consultative, and dynamic group of directors who work closely to advance their Schools' and College's missions.

Required Qualifications:

Terminal degree in a music discipline

A minimum of three years' music administrative experience including budget oversight

An established record of distinguished research, teaching, creative activity, and service sufficient to warrant a tenured faculty appointment

Excellent interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Five years of previous music administrative experience in a higher education setting.

Demonstrated experience in student recruitment.

Demonstrated commitment and ability to work with a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, and constituents in support of university, college and school mission and values.

Demonstrated commitment to the university, division, and profession.

Experience with fundraising/donor relations.

This is a full-time, twelve-month administrator/faculty position with tenure. It is expected the new Director will begin his/her duties at UNO in August 2022.

A full description of the position, including a leadership agenda, desired qualifications and instructions on the application process can be found in the position profile: https://academicsearch.org/open-searches-public/entry/9426/?search=9426

PROCEDURE FOR NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS:
Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Applications received by November 16, 2021, will be given full consideration. An application should include: (1) a letter with a statement of philosophy that addresses leadership, administration, and management of a school of music; (2) a curriculum vitae; and (3) the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of five references. References will not be contacted without the candidate's permission. Additional supporting materials that cannot be attached to the electronic application may be requested at a later date.

All submissions will be treated in confidence and should be sent electronically (MS Word format preferred) to UNOMusic@academicsearch.org. The committee is assisted by Dr. Wanda Durrett Bigham, Senior Consultant, who can be reached at wanda.bigham@academicsearch.org or by calling 334-425-6865.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities or employment. UNO is an AA/EEO/ADA institution.

UNO is a VEVRAA Federal contractor and an E-Verify employer. The University is committed to achieving diversity among faculty and staff. It is particularly interested in receiving applications from members of underrepresented groups and strongly encourages women and persons of color to apply.