Joseph Joachim Chair of Violin
Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University
The Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University invites nominations and applications for a senior tenure-track position in violin at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor starting in August 2014. The position carries the title Joseph Joachim Professor of Violin. Responsibilities will include recruiting and teaching undergraduate violin majors as well serving as the first violinist of the Blair String Quartet. In addition, the successful candidate may choose to accept selected outstanding students in the Precollege Program of the Blair School of Music.
Candidates should have an extensive record of artistic accomplishment in solo literature and chamber music, along with substantial teaching experience. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include retirement and health/dental/life insurance options.
The Blair String Quartet has been in residence at the Blair School of Music since 1967. Throughout its history, the Blair Quartet has formed the core of the string faculty of the Blair School, and is committed to continuing this trajectory of excellence in the coming years. The members of the ensemble are Christian Teal (until May 2014) and Cornelia Heard, violins; John Kochanowski, viola; and Felix Wang, cello.
Widely acclaimed in performances across the country, the Blair String Quartet has enhanced its national reputation through appearances at the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center, New York’s 92nd Street Y and Merkin Concert Hall. In April 2012, the Quartet performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York City, which included a premiere of Michael Hersch’s quartet Images from a Closed Ward, commissioned by the Blair School.
Some of the group’s residencies have been at the Aspen Music Festival, the Sedona Chamber Music Festival, and Dartmouth College, as well as appearances at the Colorado Music Festival, the Meadowmount School of Music, the Sewanee Music Festival, Music Mountain in Connecticut and the Maverick Concert Series in Woodstock, New York. They have been the Quartet-in-Residence for the Classical Fellowship Awards competition of the American Pianists Association, and the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival. They have recorded for labels including Warner Brothers, New World Records, and Naxos Records, which recently released their recording of the string quartets of Charles Ives.
The Blair String Quartet has also championed music by contemporary American composers, and has worked with Elliott Carter, Alan Hovhaness, John Harbison, George Rochberg, Ezra Laderman, Leon Kirchner, Steven Mackey, Steven Stucky, Joan Tower, Robert Sirota, and Michael Hersch.
To apply, please send a letter of nomination or application which speaks to the candidate’s qualifications for and interest in the position, a current curriculum vitae, three current letters of recommendation, a list of at least three additional references with email addresses and telephone numbers. Additional supporting materials may be requested at a later date.
Send materials to: Violin Search, Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, 2400 Blakemore Ave., Nashville, TN 37212.
Review of applications will begin November 1, 2013.
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.