A Joint Appointment:

Director of Choral Activities at Oklahoma City University and Artistic Director of Canterbury Voices

The two organizations seek a conductor of national/international stature to lead both organizations’ choral programs. The position includes conducting two of the University’s top choral ensembles, teaching graduate and undergraduate conducting, and choral literature. Director of Choral Activities, rank based on qualifications, will oversee all choral programs at Oklahoma City University. Canterbury Voices’ Artistic Director will conduct the 150-member American Prize winning chorus, one of the country’s finest, and will oversee all artistic aspects of the organization’s activities. Canterbury rehearses Monday nights, 7 PM – 9:15 PM within the school year, performing three concerts per year. The successful candidate will be chosen jointly by the two organizations.

Position: Director of Choral Activities at Oklahoma City University and Artistic Director of Canterbury Voices

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Terms of Employment: The position at Oklahoma City University, Director of Choral Activities, will be at a rank based on qualifications, beginning August 15, 2023. Canterbury Voices’ Artistic Director is a year-round position, which will begin on July 1, 2023. The term for the joint position will be a five-year renewable appointment.

Qualifications: Completed doctorate required or significant national/international credentials in choral conducting; significant professional or collegiate teaching experience required; proven leadership and organizational skills; proven experience conducting wide breadth of major repertoire from all periods with orchestra; commitment to new choral commissions; commitment to excellence in teaching and musicianship; knowledge and experience in concert programming and program development, including concert planning. Successful candidate will have significant experience conducting orchestral/choral masterworks, preferably with a professional orchestra.

Inclusion and Diversity: OCU and Canterbury Voices are equally committed to building a diverse and inclusive faculty, staff, student body and choral community. We welcome applications from members of traditionally underrepresented groups. The organizations are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and are aligned with our organizations’ overarching vision and mission. Further, we aspire to engage in our work in equitable and inclusive ways, and desire to work with a team member who is committed to OCU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s strategic goals.

Oklahoma City University Wanda L. Bass School of Music, an all-Steinway school, is a fully accredited institutional member of NASM with 37 full-time and 25 adjunct faculty members, 280 undergraduate and 50 graduate students. The choral program consists of five choirs (three SATB, one women's choir, and the chapel choir). University choirs have been selected as honor performing ensembles at state, regional and national conventions, and have a long history of performing major choral works on campus and in conjunction with the Canterbury Voices and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. The resident Oklahoma Opera and Music Theater company has a six-title season and has been producing operas and musicals on campus for 72 consecutive years. For more information, please go to https://www.okcu.edu/music/home.

About Oklahoma City University: Oklahoma City University is a coeducational, urban private university located in Oklahoma City, in the Uptown district. The university is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and offers a wide variety of degrees in the liberal arts, fine arts, sciences, and business. OCU is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and Oklahoma City University is also listed in Forbes' "Best Christian Colleges" & "100 Best College Buys."

Canterbury Voices is Oklahoma’s oldest and largest auditioned community chorus with 150 members, ages 20 – 87. Canterbury Voices often serves as the symphony chorus on the Oklahoma City Philharmonic season and, independent from the philharmonic, programs its own season - presenting three major concerts per year at the Civic Center Music Hall (2,400 seats) in Downtown Oklahoma City. Canterbury Voices won The American Prize, 2022 Choral Performance, Community Division, and won a second place American Prize, 2022 Virtual Performance. Canterbury also has a 20-member chamber ensemble, auditioned from the larger chorus, performing a fundraising feature concert each year. This ensemble represents Canterbury in community events throughout the year. The organization has commissioned composers Dominick Argento, Stephen Paulus, David Janssen, Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, and Edward Knight to write new choral works for special occasions. Additionally, Canterbury has an esteemed youth chorus program with 175 students, grades 2-12, divided into four choirs. Canterbury Youth Voices frequently performs on Canterbury Voices’ concert season.

http://canterburyokc.com

Canterbury Voices Listening Samples

About Oklahoma City: Oklahoma City University is located in the historic and vibrant Uptown 23rd District in the heart of Oklahoma City; a unique, thriving, friendly city with a low cost of living and lots of sunshine. Canterbury Voices is located in downtown Oklahoma City, across the street from their performance venue, the Civic Center Music Hall. Downtown Oklahoma City is made up of 8-character districts – each with a distinct feel and personality. Oklahoma City ranks as the 20th largest city in the United States with a population of more than 687,000 and a metro population of more than 1.44 million people. Public and private partnerships during the last 10 years have dramatically transformed the face of the city, staking a claim for the future as a preeminent American city.

Oklahoma City’s highly collaborative arts community boasts a variety of thriving organizations including the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Canterbury Voices, Oklahoma City Ballet, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Contemporary, Dead Center Film Festival, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, First Americans Museum, and Science Museum Oklahoma. There are many mid-sized theater companies, music groups, and educational organizations like Oklahoma Youth Orchestra and Oklahoma Arts Institute. Arts organizations are a priority in this city, generously funded by Allied Arts and the Oklahoma Arts Council, as well as strong private support from foundations, corporations and individuals. Public art is also a priority in Oklahoma, mandating public funding for each capital improvement project in the state. Plaza Walls is one example in the eclectic Plaza District.

Oklahoma City offers all amenities found in a modern metropolitan community including a vibrant arts community, quality health care, excellence in education, great food options and many recreational activities. It is a distinctly livable city where you can live comfortably without high energy costs, energy shortages, smog or traffic congestion. The weather offers four distinct seasons with the annual average temperature of 60 degrees. The cost of living is low compared to similar cities in other locations.

Employee Benefits: The joint position affords a generous and comprehensive benefits package through Oklahoma City University. Benefits offered include: health (medical, dental and vision) insurance, flexible spending accounts, university paid life insurance, university paid long-term disability insurance, retirement plans, and tuition remission for employees and qualifying dependents who wish to take classes or pursue a degree at OCU.

Required Application Materials and Procedures: Applicants are asked to upload a Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, Statement of Teaching Philosophy, and a list of 3-5 references with contact information and link to recordings of representative performances (video links are encouraged). For complete information on this position, and to submit an application, please visit our website at: https://jobs.silkroad.com/OKCU/FacultyCareers

Contact:

• Dr. Matthew Mailman, Chair, OCU/Canterbury Voices Conductor Search Committee, mmailman@okcu.edu
• Dr. Mark Belcik, Associate Dean, Wanda Bass School of Music, mbelcik@okcu.edu
• Pam Mowry, Executive Director, Canterbury Voices, pam@canterburyokc.com

Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately. For full consideration, applications must be received by February 15. Finalist candidates will be selected and notified soon after.