Music and Theatre, in the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position beginning August 2025. We seek an energetic and engaging band director and instructor of trumpet. Primary teaching responsibilities will include directing and managing the Tiger Marching Band in a collaborative setting collaboration with, the Director of Bands and Percussion instructor; directing the Symphonic Winds, and teaching applied trumpet to undergraduate students including music education majors, performance majors, and non-majors. Experience in directing jazz ensembles is a plus. Other duties may include teaching brass-related courses, band-related music education courses, and/or general education courses, based on the candidate’s qualifications and needs of the program. We value a range of experiences and perspectives that can enhance our band’s creativity and engage all members of our student population. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
FHSU is a hub for Music Education in the western Kansas region, with special attention on and prioritizes rural music program development and teacher placement. A; focus on rural music education development and advocacy is essential to the success of the program. The successful candidate will foster a positive, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment and culture that promotes teamwork, personal growth, and professional development for music education students.
In the role of Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands, the successful candidate will be responsible for directing and administrating administering the Tiger Marching Band and basketball pep band activities while maintaining a close collaboration with FHSU Athletics. The athletic ensembles are an important external-facing component of the Music and Theatre program and require a director who can successfully forge productive connections with high school programs, donors, FHSU Athletics, the FHSU Foundation, FHSU administration, and fellow colleagues in Music and Theatre. FHSU Football participates in Division II sports as a member of the MIAA conference.
Directing duties include:
- Actively recruiting students to the program, with emphasis on growing the Tiger Marching Band, including through activities including off-campus high school visits, on-campus clinics and workshops, and appearing appearances at regional and state-level festivals.
- Planning and leading instruction of movement and music rehearsals and, guiding students in how to effectively the effective use the Ultimate Drill Book.
- Mentoring and facilitating an effective student leadership cohort in to assist in the organization of student data, alumni engagement activities, equipment and logistics coordination, and fundraising.
- Providing administrative leadership of for the marching band program in areas including budgeting, equipment, and scheduling.
- Working directly with FHSU Athletics to coordinate logistics and event planning.
- Directing the Symphonic Winds (spring semester only).
Additional duties include:
- Instructing and mentoring trumpet students.
- Developing and engaging in creative scholarship appropriate for a tenure-track position.
- Engaging in service activities at the program, college, and university level.
- Contributing to the shared governance of at the program, school, college, and university levels.
The successful candidate will be able to engage the community and region to recruit students, advocate for the performing arts and music education, and successfully network successfully with music education professionals in at regional high schools and community colleges. Strong skills in problem solving, creative thinking, and innovative solutions, coupled with a readiness to think outside the box, are desired.
FHSU Music and Theatre is committed to building a community of collaborative teacher-artists with diverse skills from a multitude of backgrounds. We are engaged in the process of discovering what a 21st- century music and theatre program can be and of expanding access to for students in the region and around the globe. Music Education is a primary focus for the program. FHSU Music and Theatre treats community-engaged work in teaching, scholarship, and/or service as legitimate and important areas of faculty activity, of comparable value to high-impact classroom teaching and mentorship, the scholarship of discovery, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Doctorate in Music, or a master's in Music with equivalent professional experience, commensurate to advanced graduate studies in Music.
- Demonstrate excellence in directing marching band at the collegiate and/or pre-collegiate level.
- Clear evidence of leadership.
- Experience teaching applied trumpet to students of varying abilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
- K-12 teaching experience.
- Ability to teach diverse styles in the trumpet studio.
- Experience in administering a marching band program.
- Experience directing jazz ensembles.
- Experience directing marching band at the collegiate level.
- Experience in drill design and/or musical arrangements.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with faculty in Music and other disciplines to advocate for Music and Music Education.
Rank: Assistant Professor of Music, tenure-track
Appointment Date: August 2025
Application Deadline: Screening of applications will begin December 9, 20243 and will continue until the position is filled.
Required Application Documents:
- Cover letter that addresses the candidate’s skills and qualifications for this position, no more than two pages in length.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- A philosophy of music education statement that addressed the needs and qualifications of the position.
- Names and contact information for three professional references.
Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Ben Cline
Chair, Music and Theatre Program
Marching Band/Applied Trumpet Search Committee Chair
About the Program:
Music and Theatre, in the School of Visual and Performing Arts, consists of 15 full-time-faculty and offers B.M. degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, and Music Composition, as well as B.A. degrees in music and theatre. The program offers a wide variety of performances to the public including music theatre, opera, instrumental and vocal ensembles, chamber music, the Tiger Marching Band, the Hays Symphony, theatrical performances, and faculty artist and guest artist recitals. The program is housed in Malloy Hall and consists of two rehearsal halls, a theatre, several classroom spaces, practice rooms, and faculty studios. We are committed to discovering what a 21st century music and theatre program can be and expanding access to students in the region and around the globe. For more information visit
https://www.fhsu.edu/music-and-theatre/
School of Visual and Performing Arts Mission Statement:
The School of Visual and Performing Arts is a vibrant and diverse artistic community that fosters and inspires the creative potential of students, cultivating their artistic visions for the future as they prepare for meaningful and successful lives in the arts. We promote and respect creativity, expression, and diversity in all its forms.
School of Visual and Performing Arts Vision Statement:
The School of Visual and Performing Arts is dedicated to advancing human creativity and inspiring students to be change-makers within their communities.
About the College:
The work that students and faculty in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences do inside and outside of the classroom develops the creative, critical, and practical skills that graduates will use throughout their lifetimes—and across multiple careers—as productive and successful leaders at the regional, national, and global levels in a rapidly changing world.
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences includes the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science; the School of Criminal Justice, Leadership, and Sociology; the Department of English and Modern Languages; the Department of History and Philosophy; and the School of Visual and Performing Arts.
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination: Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.
Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or
www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.
