• Higher Education

Position Available: Full-time, nine-month Assistant or Associate Professor of Instrumental Music and Music Education/Director of Bands. Salary, based on qualifications and experience, is determined by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and University President and approved by the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO).

General Information: Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a state-assisted regional institution in the Regional University System of Oklahoma and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The student population is approximately 2,100 students. Located in Alva, Oklahoma, and with additional campus locations in Enid and Woodward, the university is a center of activity for the region.

Within the School of Arts and Sciences, the Reichenberger Department of Fine Arts at Northwestern Oklahoma State University offers degrees in music education, music performance, speech/theatre, and visual arts. NWOSU values community engagement and seeks a person who will be a regional leader in instrumental music.

Available: August 2026

Job Summary: The department invites applications for an on-site, Assistant/Associate Professor of Instrumental Music and Director of Bands to begin in August 2026. We seek a candidate with a commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduates, especially music education majors.

Duties and Responsibilities: The successful candidate will provide leadership and artistic vision for the Ranger marching band, pep bands, concert band, community bands, and jazz ensemble. Additional responsibilities include offering conducting courses, music technology courses, instrumental methods courses, music education courses (that match their expertise), and applied lessons courses (on their primary instrument), and supervising student teachers in instrumental music. The Director of Bands is expected to provide leadership in recruiting initiatives, maintain positive relationships with regional public/private school band directors, and work well in a collegiate setting.

Qualifications: Master's degree required; doctorate preferred. Master’s-prepared faculty are appointed at the rank of instructor; terminal degree is required for appointment at rank of assistant professor. The successful candidate will be an outstanding instrumental music director who will provide artistic leadership for the university marching band, pep band, concert bands, and the university jazz ensemble. Candidates must clearly demonstrate a successful track record in leading marching and concert bands as well as recruiting. Preference will be given to applicants who have teaching experience at both the university and public-school levels, and who hold current public-school teaching licensure.

Closing Date: Review of applications will begin immediately. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Preliminary individual interviews will be held via videoconference.

Send information to (electronic submissions preferred):

Dr. Steven Maier
Dean of Faculty
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Email: [email protected]

Applicants should provide a cover letter, philosophy of teaching statement, curriculum vitae that includes contact information for at least three professional references, NWOSU application for faculty (https://www.nwosu.edu/uploads//exempt-employee-app-fillable.pdf), and academic transcripts. (Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for application; official transcripts will be required before appointment.)

Northwestern Oklahoma State University is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates who bring unique insights, backgrounds, and voices to our campus community. Only applicants who are authorized to be employed in the United States need apply.