Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Conducting
Requisition Number:
66986
Location:
Boulder, Colorado
City
Boulder
State
Colorado
Employment Type:
Faculty
Schedule:
Full-Time
Date Posted:
28-Aug-2025
Job Summary
The University of Colorado Boulder College of Music invites applications for a dynamic and accomplished tenure-track faculty member to serve as Associate Director of Bands, Director of the “Golden Buffalo” Marching Band, and Conductor of the Symphonic Band. This full-time Assistant Professor, tenure-track position also includes teaching in the Music Education curriculum and collaborating with band and music education faculty to support and grow the program.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong artistic vision, proven leadership in marching and concert band settings, and a deep commitment to student mentorship and education. We seek an individual who will continue to energize the “Golden Buffalo” Marching Band, contribute meaningfully to the artistic and academic life of the College, and inspire the next generation of music educators and performers. Appointment will commence in August 2026.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
The College of Music, founded in 1920, is recognized as one of the top comprehensive music schools in the country. The College of Music offers seven degree programs in over 28 fields of study, at the bachelor’s level through the doctorate. Our dedicated and encouraging community of 550 degree-seeking students, 70 full-time faculty, 30 part-time faculty, and 30 professional, technical and administrative staff produces over 350 performances and numerous guest lectures, master-classes, and outreach events each year! The warm and collegial climate of the College of Music as a whole reflects the genuine respect among faculty and staff and the unified goal of providing a nurturing and encouraging environment for the students.
The CU Boulder Golden Buffalo Marching Band (GBMB) is recognized as one of the premier college marching bands in the United States. Comprising approximately 250 student musicians from across the country, music majors and non-majors alike, the band remains an integral and exciting part of the tradition and spirit at the University of Colorado Boulder.
The GBMB employs an extremely versatile marching style and consistently performs the latest in contemporary show design. The ensemble has frequently appeared on national TV and has performed in numerous NFL football games. The GBMB has further appeared at the Insight.com Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Aloha Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Blockbuster Bowl and Orange Bowl. All members of the GBMB—including the wind sections, drumline, colorguard and feature twirlers—are selected through an audition process.
The Symphonic Band has performed at a regional CBDNA conference and is comprised of music majors. Each year, the group performs standard and new music from the wind band repertoire in addition to music for chamber winds.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Serve as Associate Director of Bands, Director of the “Golden Buffalo” Marching Band, Conductor of the Symphonic Band, and teach courses in music education.
Director of the “Golden Buffalo” Marching Band:
- Provide strategic artistic leadership for a high-profile Big 12 athletic band program, shaping its creative direction and public presence.
- Coordinate and oversee all operational facets of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band, in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Bands and in consultation with the Director of Bands.
- Administer and monitor the marching band budget, ensuring responsible fiscal management and alignment with programmatic goals.
- Collaborate closely with CU Athletics to elevate the gameday experience through dynamic musical programming and engaging, polished visual performances.
- Establish relationships with high school band directors across the state to assist with student recruitment for the College of Music and the “Golden Buffalo” Marching Band.
Conductor of the Symphonic Band:
- Provide an artistic and inspiring experience for student musicians on a daily basis.
- Program and conduct diverse and compelling repertoire for full and chamber wind ensembles, including standard works and compositions by historically marginalized voices.
- Support the Director of Bands in the recruitment, mentorship, and career placement of graduate conducting students, fostering their development as future leaders in the profession.
- Work closely and collaboratively with the Director of Bands to foster the goals of the CU Bands program.
- Engage in ongoing artistic and professional growth through performance, scholarship, and service activities both on and off campus.
- Contribute actively to College and University initiatives, including outreach and recruitment.
- Uphold and advance the University Band’s distinguished tradition, aligning with the College of Music’s mission to cultivate the next generation of innovative and successful musicians.
Possible Courses in Music Education may include:
- Conducting 2 & 3.
- Supervise student teachers.
- Applications of Music Pedagogy (graduate level).
What You Should Know
The University of Colorado Boulder has implemented a reference check program with respect to final candidates for tenured faculty appointments. The reference check program is intended to allow CU Boulder to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their current and previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination – before making hiring decisions. All final candidates for tenured faculty appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information.
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range for this Assistant Professor, tenure-track position is $73,000 - $81,500 plus a 22% faculty director stipend.
Onboarding assistance is available within department guidelines.
Benefits
The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.
Be Statements
Be inspired. Be unique. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- An earned doctorate in music, or commensurate experience, is required, i.e., a Master of Music plus a distinguished record of professional performance, conducting, teaching, and creative and scholarly activities.
- The successful applicant will demonstrate outstanding achievement as a wind conductor and marching band director at the university and/or professional level.
What We Would Like You to Have
Experience with drill design and music arranging desired, ensuring innovative and engaging performances that reflect excellence and school spirit.
Special Instructions
For full consideration, please apply by Monday, September 15, 2025. The position will remain open until filled.
- Current Curriculum Vitae.
- Letter of Interest.
- Scans of representative concert programs that demonstrate the candidate’s diverse repertoire performed within the last 3-5 years.
- Video of both rehearsal and performance of Concert Band (recorded facing the conductor from within or behind the ensemble within the last 3 years) demonstrating a variety of musical styles. Please provide links to streaming video, clearly indexed and labeled (15-20 minutes total).
- Video of both rehearsal and performance of Collegiate Marching Band. Please provide links to streaming video clearly indexed and labeled (15-20 minutes total) that demonstrate the candidate’s experience.
During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for three (3) references. We may request confidential letters of recommendation later in the search process. This information will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu