The Opportunity:
The University of Central Florida (UCF) School of Performing Arts invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-earning Assistant Professor of Music, with the internal university title of Program Director of Orchestral Activities. This position is located at the UCF main campus with an anticipated start date of August 8, 2027. The successful candidate will provide artistic, curricular, and programmatic leadership for UCF’s orchestral studies program and will join the school’s string faculty as an active and collaborative colleague.
The school seeks a dynamic educator-conductor and accomplished string musician with a compelling vision for the continued growth and development of orchestral and string education at UCF. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in musicianship, teaching, recruitment, and ensemble leadership; inspire high levels of artistic achievement among students; and contribute meaningfully to the academic and artistic life of the School of Performing Arts.
The ideal candidate will be an engaged collaborator who values strong relationships across the string area, with other ensemble directors, and throughout the broader music program. The position also carries an important role in strengthening UCF’s connections with public and private school music educators, supporting student recruitment, and representing the program within the state, regional, and national music education and string communities. This position reports to the Director of the School of Performing Arts.
The Department of Music within the School of Performing Arts offers B.A., B.M., B.M.E., and M.A. degrees and is part of the University of Central Florida, a Carnegie R1 research university and the largest university in Florida by enrollment. UCF serves more than 70,000 students, offers 250-degree programs, and supports a dynamic environment in which teaching, creative activity, research, and community engagement intersect.
Located in one of the nation’s most active metropolitan areas, UCF offers exceptional opportunities for a musician and educator to build professional and community connections beyond the university. Orlando and Central Florida support a thriving performing arts community that includes the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Orlando Ballet, Opera Orlando, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and numerous other professional, community, and educational arts organizations. Orange County’s nonprofit arts and cultural sector support nearly 5,000 jobs and generates approximately $265 million in direct economic activity annually, while the Dr. Phillips Center alone presented 700 performances in 2024, more than half produced by regional arts organizations. Beyond its professional opportunities, the Orlando area offers a high-energy metropolitan lifestyle, internationally recognized entertainment and attractions, diverse dining and neighborhoods, year-round outdoor recreation, and convenient national and international air access.
Primary Responsibilities:
Directing and providing artistic and curricular leadership for the university orchestras.
Teaching string methods and basic conducting courses within the music education curriculum.
Conducting internship observations and providing mentorship and evaluation for music education students.
Working collaboratively as a member of the string faculty and with the School’s other ensemble directors and faculty colleagues.
Recruiting prospective string students and contributing to broader student recruitment efforts within the music program.
Cultivating and sustaining productive relationships with public and private school orchestra directors, music educators, and string programs throughout Florida and beyond.
Representing UCF at appropriate state, regional, and national professional conferences, recruiting events, and activities, such as conferences and events of the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA).
Participating in clinics, school visits, festivals, workshops, and other activities that strengthen relationships between UCF and school music programs.
Potential for collaboration on School of Performing Arts projects and productions and other interdisciplinary or collaborative activities within and outside of the Department of Music.
Maintaining an active and developing record of scholarly and/or creative professional activity appropriate to a tenure-earning faculty appointment.
Participating actively in School, College, and University service.
Performing other duties and teaching assignments as appropriate to departmental needs and the successful candidate’s expertise.
Minimum Qualifications:
A master’s degree in music from an accredited institution and relevant professional experience appropriate to the position.
Professional activity as an orchestral conductor.
Demonstrated accomplishment as a classically trained string musician (violinist, violist, cellist, or bassist).
Preferred Qualifications:
An earned doctoral degree in music from an accredited institution, conferred by August 8, 2027.
At least three years of teaching experience in higher education.
Evidence of the capacity to develop and sustain a program of scholarly and/or creative professional activity appropriate to the expectations of a tenure-earning faculty appointment.
Evidence of an emerging national reputation as a conductor, educator, and/or performing musician.
A successful record of experience directing an orchestral program at the collegiate level, with demonstrated leadership and administrative acumen in the development and management of an orchestral or instrumental music program.
Substantial conducting and collaborative experience in a wide range of orchestral settings and repertoire (e.g. opera and/or musical theatre).
A record of student recruitment or a demonstrated capacity to develop strategic, data-informed recruitment initiatives that enhance enrollment and student success.
Demonstrated success in developing productive relationships and working with public and private school music educators and school music programs.
Experience in teaching string instruments to children and/or adolescents in school, studio, community, or similar educational settings which provides a foundation for teaching string pedagogy and methods coursework.
Experience teaching String Methods and/or String Techniques courses at the collegiate level.
Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively with students, faculty, administration, and the community, including the ability to contribute effectively as a member of the string and music education faculties and to collaborate with other ensemble directors.
Additional Application Materials Required:
UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:
Letter of Interest describing the candidate’s qualifications and interest in the position.
Teaching Philosophy Statement.
Current curriculum vitae.
Links to video recordings of both recent rehearsals and performances, submitted through YouTube or Vimeo. The submitted recordings must:
have been recorded within the past three years;
total approximately 30–45 minutes in length; and
include three different repertoire selections.
NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.
The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.
Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Search Committee Chair, Dr. Ross Monroe Winter at: [email protected].
Special Instructions to the Applicants:
All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. H-1B visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.
Job Close Date:
Open until filled.
Review of candidates will begin on September 30, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation by September 30, 2026, to ensure consideration for the posted position.
Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?
As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.
Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:
Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.
Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.
Retirement savings options.
Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.
Education assistance.
Flexible work environment.
And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.
Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.
Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:
Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.
The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.
Department
College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) - Performing Arts
Work Schedule
Varies
Type of Appointment
Regular
Expected Salary
Negotiable
The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.
UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.
For general application or posting questions, please email [email protected].
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please email [email protected].
