African American Arts Institute (AAAI) UA-MRKT

Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs

Primary Role: 

The African American Choral Ensemble (AACE) is a performance course (A110 and A339) offered through the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADS) and managed by the African American Arts Institute (AAAI). The Choral Ensemble studies and performs a broad range of works by and about African Americans, including spirituals, folk songs, traditional and contemporary gospel music, and formally composed works. Reporting to the Choral Ensemble director, the Instrumental Coach assists the ensemble director with instruction and preparation of music and other materials for instruction, performs and leads students in performances, plays keyboard accompaniments, and fulfills other duties related to the Choral Ensemble’s function in meeting the academic requirement of AAADS, and the AAAI’s mission.

Academic Year:  2021-2022, 10-month academic appointment

Weekly hours:   20 hours per week, 50% of Full Time Equivalent

The ensemble class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:00 to 4:30pm subject to change each semester. A schedule of auditions, performances, and rehearsals held outside of class time, and other required events is posted at the beginning of each semester. The Instrumental Coach is required to attend all auditions, class sessions, rehearsals, performances, meetings and other required events, some of which are scheduled in evenings and on weekends, within and outside of Bloomington. At the ensemble director’s discretion, the Instrumental Coach must hold regular office hours, and work flexible hours on music arrangements and other performance and course related materials.

Compensation:  $18,000 stipend disbursed in 10 monthly payments, a 30-credit hour fee remission with a maximum of 12 credit hours per semester and 6 credit hours during the summer, and health insurance coverage from August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Assist the ensemble director with recruitment of instrumentalists
• Assist with auditions and vocal evaluations
• Assist the ensemble director with transcribing, arranging, and preparing material for rehearsals and performances
• Assist in the planning, preparation and teaching for the AACE Choir retreat and other training events
• Lead sectional rehearsals and provide private coaching for AACE members as needed
• Plan and lead vocal warm-ups, sight-reading exercises for classes and performances
• Lead rehearsals and conduct performances in the absence of the ensemble director
• Perform as a vocalist or accompanists as deemed necessary by the ensemble director
• Instruct instrumentalists in the techniques, styles, and performance practices for accompanying African American vocal/choral music
• Create and record instrumental tracks for part recordings, rehearsals, and performances
• Create and maintain a book of instrumental scores for rehearsals and concerts
• Communicate with band members and plan musician’s rehearsals
• Assist with planning and programming the Extensions of the Tradition concert.
• Rehearse the band in preparation for rehearsals and performances
• Assist with the organization and cataloging of music in the AAAI’s archives
• Fulfill other tasks as deemed necessary by the executive director or ensemble director

Qualifications:

Minimum Education: Must be accepted at Indiana University Bloomington in a graduate program with a minimum of 6 credit hours.

Minimum Experience: 

• Two years of experience playing keyboard in a rhythm section whose repertoire includes gospel or related styles
• One-year teaching/ directing an ensemble, or serving as the ensemble's leader   

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Excellent instrumental performance skills (keyboard preferred) in gospel and other Black choral traditions
• Vocal skills adequate to assist and lead the entire ensemble if necessary
• Demonstrated ability to accompany soloists and choral groups
• Ability to arrange music for rhythm instruments in gospel and other Black popular and choral music styles
• Basic knowledge of instruments (acoustic and electronic keyboards, guitars, bass, drums and other rhythm instruments) and instrumental technology, including drum machines and sequencers
• Excellent skills in using music writing and sequencing software
• Demonstrated understanding and appreciation of Black performance styles
• Demonstrated excellence instructing rhythm sections
• Facility in using Microsoft Word and Excel
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Schedule that allows flexibility for attendance during scheduled class time, rehearsals, performances, and other required activities

Expectations:

The Associate instructor must:

• Attend staff meetings, orientation and training sessions, rehearsals, and performances as assigned
• Maintain office hours as required by the director
• Be present and prompt at all job-related events and meetings
• Take responsibility for security and care of university equipment and facilities assigned for your use
• Adhere to AAAI policies and procedures, policies and procedures outlined in the IU Handbook for Student Academic Appointees and other IU publications governing students, faculty and staff.

To Apply:

• Applications may be submitted before 4/15/2021
• Follow the link to https://jobs.iu.edu/: Go to Staff Positions then “All external candidates” and search for Job ID# 293658 Associate Instructor Instrumental Coach, African American Choral Ensemble,”
• Complete the application including your resume and cover letter
• Questions? Email csykes@indiana.edu or stockerj@iu.edu

Please note:

The Graduate Associate Instructor must be a Bloomington campus student and may not concurrently hold a position as Associate Instructor, Graduate Assistant, or Research Assistant, nor be committed to other full time. The employee will be expected to work evening hours and work weekend events as needed.

Please complete an application for work study eligibility at the following link:  https://fafsa.ed.gov/