Band Director

The Band Director is responsible for all aspects of the marching and pep bands that perform at football games, various athletic events over the academic year, alumni functions, and community outreach events, including concerts. This position oversees, manages, and executes the operations of the band, which includes the recruiting and retaining of band members, the execution of band practice, private lessons, and rehearsals both on and off the field.

The Band Director will be responsible for recruiting a minimum number of students each year in collaboration with the enrollment plan of the University while building the marching band and other smaller ensembles. The Band Director is expected to support Ave Maria University’s Catholic mission and liberal arts identity.

• Recruit and retain students yearly to grow and develop a successful performance band program.
• Convey a standard of excellence during rehearsals, football games, and additional events.
• Approve, manage, and maintain the budgets for the band program, to include initiating payments, processing contracts, and coordinating student scholarships.
• Attend and execute August Band Camp, home football games, certain home basketball games and various parades/events.
• Instruct and provide feedback to students and staff during ensemble rehearsals, as well as in sectional rehearsals.
• Interact with students, parents, and other staff in a professional manner.
• Attend staff meetings and maintain clear, open communication with staff and faculty.
• Coordinate and oversee necessary travel.
• Handle various administrative tasks, to include managing equipment, uniforms, apparel, and supplies.
• Serve as project manager and on-site event coordinator for band events.

• Experience in management of all aspects of a marching band, pep band, and drum line.
• Experience and knowledge of all band instruments.
• Supervision and instruction of students in rehearsals, classrooms, private lessons, and performance settings.
• Ability to recruit at the collegiate level.
• Set up recruiting visits and auditions with prospective students.
• Ability to work closely with the University recruitment team.
• Generate leads by making calls, sending emails, being present at recruiting events, building relationships with high school band directors.
• Ability to perform and teach multiple genres of music.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and under supervision.
• Willingness to serve and build relationships with the band members.
• Must possess strong initiative, leadership skills, organizational and project management skills, with the ability to multitask to manage a variety of projects and priorities, coordinating the actions of others.
• Must be able to follow through on projects to timely completion, and demonstrate excellent judgment with attention to detail.
• Microsoft Office experience with Word, Outlook, Publisher, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Must support the University’s Catholic mission.