Interim BC bOp! Jazz Ensemble Conductor

Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,654 full-time undergraduates and 5,072 graduate and professional students. Ranked 37 among national universities, Boston College has 923 full-time and 1,336 FTE faculty, 2,822 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.9 billion.

Job Description

Job Title: Interim BC bOp! Jazz Ensemble Conductor

Position Type: Interim/Temporary | Nonexempt | Part-Time

Appointment Period: August 31, 2026 - May 31, 2027

Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Compensation: $30-35/hour, commensurate with experience and education.

Boston College seeks an experienced jazz musician and educator to serve as Interim BC bOp! Jazz Ensemble Conductor for the 2026–2027 academic year (September - May). 

Founded in 1987, BC bOp! is Boston College's instrumental and vocal jazz ensemble. The ensemble performs a diverse repertoire ranging from traditional to contemporary and Latin jazz, and provides students with opportunities to develop their musicianship, ensemble skills, and confidence in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Reporting to the Director of the Robsham Theater Arts Center, the Conductor will provide musical and educational leadership for the ensemble, oversee rehearsals and performances, and support the development of its student musicians and vocalists. The Conductor will work closely with the BC bOp! Vocal Director, Boston College Bands staff, and student leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct and direct regular rehearsals and performances for the instrumental and vocal ensembles.
• Select and prepare repertoire and provide instruction in jazz performance, ensemble technique, improvisation, interpretation, and musicianship.
• Prepare the ensemble for performances and schedule additional rehearsals as needed.
• Provide musical guidance and oversight for weekly sectionals, including vocal, rhythm, trumpet, trombone, and saxophone sections.
• Collaborate with the BC bOp! Vocal Director to support the development of the vocal ensemble.
• Foster a collaborative and engaging environment that supports student learning and development.
• Support student leadership and involvement in the artistic and operational aspects of the ensemble.
• Manage basic ensemble administration, including rosters, parts, rehearsal schedules, and communication with students.
• Coordinate with Boston College staff regarding facilities, scheduling, performances, and other operational needs.
• Support recruitment and retention of student musicians and vocalists.
• Participate in repertoire research, score preparation, planning meetings, and other activities necessary for the successful operation of the ensemble.

Schedule
The position requires regular availability for rehearsals, sectionals, preparation, and performances.

Regular Rehearsals
Instrumentalists: Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Additional Commitments

• Weekly one-hour sectionals for Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Rhythm sections, scheduled based on student and staff availability.
• Approximately five hours per week for rehearsal preparation, repertoire research, score preparation, and related work.
• Attendance at scheduled performances and additional rehearsals as needed.

The annual performance schedule typically includes performances in October, December, February, and April, including the Holiday Concert, a major Robsham Theater concert, and Arts Fest performances.

Applicants should submit:

• Current résumé or curriculum vitae;
• Brief cover letter describing their interest in the position and relevant experience;
• Examples of relevant teaching and/or professional performance experience; and
• Contact information for two or three professional references.
• Please note: Applicants will be asked to provide recordings or other examples of relevant musical work during the interview process.

Boston College is committed to creating a supportive learning and working environment. We encourage applications from candidates who will contribute to student development, the educational mission, and Boston College's musical community.

Requirements

Required

• Demonstrated experience directing, conducting, or leading jazz ensembles.
• Significant experience performing and/or teaching jazz, with strong knowledge of jazz repertoire and performance practices.
• Ability to effectively rehearse and prepare a jazz ensemble for performance.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with college students in an educational and performance setting.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Bachelor's degree in music, music education, jazz studies, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred

• Master's degree in music, jazz studies, music education, or a related field.
• Professional experience as a jazz instrumentalist, vocalist, arranger, conductor, or bandleader.
• Experience working with multiple sections of a jazz ensemble, including rhythm, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and vocal sections.
• Experience working with college or university jazz ensembles.

Closing Statement

Boston College conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process.

Boston College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected category, including disability and protected veteran status. Boston College's Notice of Nondiscrimination can be viewed at https://www.bc.edu/nondiscrimination .