Eileen Mercier Endowed Professorship in Choral Music

at  Wilfrid Laurier University

Date: Oct 16, 2024
Location: Waterloo, CA
Company: Wilfrid Laurier University
Faculty/Academic Area: Faculty of Music
Department: Music Academic
Campus: Waterloo
Employee Group: WLUFA
Requisition ID: 8757
The Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for the Eileen Mercier Endowed Professorship in Choral Music, a tenure-track appointment at open rank (Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor) in the area of Choral Music, commencing July 1, 2025. This position is subject to budgetary approval.
Candidates must have an excellent record in choral conducting, choral research, and teaching in the area. The choral director will have an international and/or national reputation, become a mentor and leader within the Laurier community and beyond and will be adept at recruiting voice students. They will inspire and teach students in the BMus program in a safe space of respect and collaboration, bringing their own experience of the physicality of singing to the classroom and rehearsal space. They will also be expected to assume leadership roles and service in the Faculty of Music. The position may include the study and practice of choral music with an emphasis on teaching and learning in school and community choral settings, focusing on conducting, programming, rehearsal pedagogy and score study. Experience in conducting choral orchestral works is an asset. The candidate must also have the expertise to teach in other related areas.

Successful candidates for the position must have:

• Terminal degree in choral conducting, or in education with a focus on choral conducting. Candidates who are ABD and near completion will be considered if they had 5+ years leadership experience in the field;
• Demonstrated leadership (5+ years) in the field of choral conducting;
• International and/or national recognition;
• Demonstrated knowledge of vocal techniques for choral work;
• Demonstrated knowledge of choral literature appropriate for a wide range of abilities at the university level;
• Demonstrated experience and/or openness to leadership in diverse musical styles and genres outside the Classical canon;
• Ability to effectively teach undergraduate courses in other related areas as well as the potential to teach graduate (MA, PhD) levels;
• Demonstrated choral research and its dissemination, including, for example, premieres, commissions, and invited performances;
• Strong administrative skills and experience recruiting students;
• Demonstrated willingness to collaborate with colleagues in the ongoing visioning of the future of the Faculty of Music.

Applications must include:

• a letter of interest that speaks to the qualifications for the position;
• a list of possible courses the candidate has expertise to teach;
• a curriculum vitae;
• evidence of recent and longstanding choral engagements;
• videos of selected rehearsals and/or performances;
• evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as a course outlines, peer teaching reviews, student success and feedback; course evaluations). Candidates with prior university teaching experience are expected to provide institutional teaching evaluations;
• a Philosophy of Teaching and Pedagogical Values statement, with concrete examples;
• the names of three referees that can speak to professionalism, teaching effectiveness, character, and collegiality. Only shortlisted applicants will have their referees contacted for letters.

Laurier’s renowned Faculty of Music is dedicated to fostering artistic and scholarly development of the highest calibre, and to providing a creative environment for student success. Our degree and diploma programs, coupled with the addition of the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts, make the Faculty of Music and Waterloo, Ontario a desired location for quality university and preparatory music education. The Faculty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees (Masters and PhD), and a newly launched certificate program: Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem. The faculty is comprised of distinguished scholars, performers, educators, and community musicians who are committed to providing students a world-class education.
As global innovators in music, the Faculty of Music offers opportunities to enhance student creativity and choice with partnerships at schools like Metalworks Institute and Randolph College for the Performing Arts. The Faculty is also home to two cutting-edge research centres: The Manfred and Penny Conrad Institute for Music Therapy Research and the Laurier Centre for Music in the Community. These centres are dedicated to advancing knowledge in music therapy and community music, respectively.
Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Strategic Academic Plan and is one of Laurier’s core values. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from qualified members of the equity-deserving groups. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcome to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@wlu.ca. Candidates from other equity-deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity and Accessibility at equity@wlu.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as per Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obligated to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenships, however, all applicants must include one of the following statements in their cover letter:
Yes, I am a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
No, I am not a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada
Members of the designated groups must self-identify to be considered for employment equity. Candidates may self-identify, in confidence, to Michelle Corbett, Senior Administrative Officer (mcorbett@wlu.ca). Further information on the equity policy can be found at https://www.wlu.ca/about/governance/assets/resources/8.4-employment-equity.html.
Applicants are encouraged to address any career interruptions or special circumstances that may have affected their record of research and teaching, in accordance with SSHRC and NSERC definitions and guidelines. To obtain a copy of this job description in an accessible format, please contact Justine MacNeil (fomdeansoffice@wlu.ca).
Faculty of Music wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. All nominations and applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the Search Committee and a short list of candidates shall be interviewed. Only those applicants selected for the short list will be contacted.
Only complete applications will be considered. All applications must include the Position Number 8757 and should be addressed to:
Dr. Kirsten Yri
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5
Email: fomdeansoffice@wlu.ca
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5
Electronic applications should quote Position Number 8757.
Deadline for applications is November 24.
Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier’s Employee Success Factors.
Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/
Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system.
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