Associate/Full Professor of Music–Director of Choral Activities (tenure-eligible)
Luther College seeks an Associate Professor or Full Professor of Music who will serve as Director of Choral Activities, Conductor of the Nordic Choir, and Artistic Director of Christmas at Luther to begin August 2027. This is an eleven-month, tenure-eligible position, with extensive recruiting work and planning outside the academic year; rank is commensurate with credentials and experience. Primary responsibilities include conducting Nordic Choir, Luther’s flagship choral ensemble; developing and implementing a strategic plan for music recruiting and leading recruiting efforts in the choral area; teaching undergraduate conducting and mentoring student conductors; providing artistic leadership of the college’s annual Christmas at Luther performances; and providing administrative and artistic leadership of the college’s extensive choral program. Additional duties include departmental service and serving as a departmental ambassador both on and off campus. This position carries a dual reporting line: to the Music Department as a faculty member and to the Provost for Director of Choral Activities duties.
Applicants should hold a doctorate in music and have a distinguished record of choral conducting at the national/international level; demonstrated excellence in teaching at the collegiate level; knowledge of, and respect for, the art of a cappella singing and the rich musical legacy of the Lutheran college choral tradition. The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills, a collaborative and collegial approach to music-making, demonstrated success in collegiate student recruitment and secondary school outreach, and commitment to the highest standards of musicianship, conducting and teaching in a private liberal arts college setting where community building is critical.
The Music Department at Luther College has a strong national reputation, with distinguished faculty who prepare students to attend some of the top graduate music programs in the country and inspire the next generation of music educators, church musicians, choir directors and community music leaders. Nearly one-third of the student body participates in Luther’s vibrant music program, and our sold-out Christmas at Luther performances are broadcast on public television and radio stations across the country. As one of the premiere choral ensembles in the country, Nordic Choir tours domestically every year and internationally every three years. The ensemble was recently selected to perform at the 2025 national ACDA conference in Dallas, TX.
Luther College is located in rural Northeast Iowa, a regional hub for outdoor recreation in the vibrant and scenic Driftless region, containing two nationally recognized healthcare systems, top ranked schools, business, agriculture, specialty retail, dining and tourism. Major Midwest metropolitan areas within a three-hour driving distance include Des Moines, IA; Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; and Madison, WI. We are an easy drive to La Crosse, WI, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, IA, and Rochester, MN, home of Mayo Clinic.
At Luther College, inclusion and belonging are central to our educational mission and values. We are committed to the institutional change required for visioning and realizing a more equitable and socially just college and society. Strong candidates will have experience and vision regarding teaching and mentorship of students of multiple and diverse backgrounds with attention to structural barriers that limit access to educational opportunities. As a liberal arts college, all Luther College music faculty routinely teach music and music education majors as well as non-majors.
Apply: For full consideration, applications should be received by January 4, 2027, though the position remains open until filled. Campus interviews are planned for the weeks of February 15 and February 22, 2027. Apply for this position at https://www.luther.edu/offices/hr/careers. Applicants’ dossier should include:
- Cover letter, describing your interest in the position at Luther College as articulated in this position description and documenting your training and experience appropriate to the position.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Recruitment statement including your strategy, philosophy, and track record for attracting, developing, and retaining student singers and other music students.
- Repertoire list.
- Up to 20 minutes of video footage that displays effective teaching and conducting from the podium (include both rehearsal and performance footage).
- Teaching statement, including how you would approach teaching students from a variety of majors and backgrounds, your experience in, commitment to, and vision for inclusion and belonging through your work and student engagement, and how your teaching would contribute to a liberal arts education.
- Unofficial graduate and undergraduate transcripts.
- Contact information for three references (name, affiliation, email and phone). References will only be contacted for those candidates invited for a campus visit with prior notification to the candidate.
The current salary range for this 11-month position is $76,000 - $110,000; placement on scale is dependent on rank, credentials and applicable experience.
INQUIRIES: Inquiries about the position may be directed to the Office of the Provost, at provost@luther.edu. Additional information about the College is available by visiting the college website www.luther.edu. Questions about the application process should be directed to hr@luther.edu.
