University Carillonist

Department
 

CSL Rockefeller Chapel

About the Department
 

One of the world’s great intellectual destinations, the University of Chicago empowers scholars and students to ask tough questions, cross disciplinary boundaries, and challenge conventional thinking to enrich human life around the globe. Its faculty are courageous thinkers and passionate teachers who drive its mission, forming an intellectual community that produces ideas that matter. The Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon is an integral part of Rockefeller Memorial Chapel and of the University as a whole. Installed in 1932, shortly after the completion of the Chapel, the bells have summoned the campus community to every significant University event for more than eighty years. The carillon is played in recital twice daily throughout the academic year, and the Chapel supports an active teaching program and practice studio. The carillon underwent a major restoration completed in 2008. The playing cabin sits 240 steps up the tower, with a further 31 steps leading to the parapet. The 1,787-capacity Rockefeller Chapel is an iconic space at the heart of the University of Chicago’s campus, serving as the ceremonial and spiritual center of the University, and as a major arts producer and host. Civic and University audiences attend professionally produced arts and cultural events, and the Chapel welcomes 100,000 people per year for events, tours, and visits. Students are offered choral, organ, and carillon scholarships, and have multiple opportunities to perform in or engage with the Chapel’s programs. The Chapel has global connections of multiple kinds, historically through the organ and carillon and now through diverse programming and interactions with scholars and visitors from all parts of the world. The Chapel’s Spiritual Life office, which speaks to the complex and often contradictory issues related to religious and spiritual practice, supports students and members of the campus community of any religious tradition or none.

Job Summary
 

The University of Chicago seeks a highly qualified musician to become the seventh University Carillonist. The University Carillonist performs a key ceremonial role at the University, performing for all major University events, as well as playing daily carillon recitals and maintaining a teaching studio. This is a full-time position.
The University Carillonist reports to the Dean of Rockefeller Chapel, and is a key member of the Chapel’s leadership team, which includes the Director of Chapel Music, University Organist, Director of Spiritual Life, Director of University Chapels, and other personnel involved in producing and administering artistic, spiritual, ceremonial, and academic programs.
The position will be filled upon the departure of Joey Brink, sixth University Carillonist, in September 2022.

Responsibilities

• Performs for all major University events.
• Manages a twice-daily recital schedule, with recitals shared between the University Carillonist and members of the carillon studio.
• Performs for ceremonial occasions of all kinds, including festivals, religious services, weddings, memorials, and other events.
• Commissions new compositions for the carillon as part of the Chapel’s new music commissioning program, working with leading composers of the day and their students.
• Maintains a teaching studio of twenty students, currently enrolled in degree-granting programs at the University of Chicago and admitted to the studio by competitive audition; prepares the students to assist in playing daily recitals, coaches them for GCNA certification, and trains them to function as ambassadors for the carillon on daily tours and in representing the art of the carillon within and beyond the bounds of the University. Works with students to fulfill requests for particular music to be played from the tower.
• Welcomes visitors to the Chapel whenever the bells are scheduled to be played for recitals, leading the tower tour program and speaking to the history and mission of the University as one of the world’s great intellectual destinations; the architecture and programs of the Chapel; the history and mechanics of the bells; and the surrounding views of the University, the city of Chicago and Lake Michigan.
• Organizes visits of carillonists from around the world, to play during the regular season or in special events or recital series.
• Oversees the maintenance of the carillon and the practice studio, working with technicians as needed and ensuring that the instrument and practice keyboards are kept in excellent working condition.
• Serves as liaison and advisor to the Mitchell Tower change-ringing program.
• Functions as a member of the Chapel leadership team, engaging in planning and promotion of programs and initiatives, visitor engagement and affinity, strategic planning, and development.
• Organizes and participates in performing art programs for University events.
• Participates in planning and execution of artistic programs.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree.

Experience:

• A first-rate musician and virtuoso performer on the carillon, certified as a professional carillonist, and passionate teacher of the instrument, eager to see young players become carillon enthusiasts.
• Demonstrated administrative and coordination skills.
• Familiarity with the English art of change-ringing.
• Exposure to, and an understanding of, an academically rigorous research university.
• Proficiency in using standard computer software.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to work effectively within a team.
• Ability to work closely with senior University and other officials, and with donors.
• Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, grammatically, and tactfully with colleagues and clients in person and via email and phone.
• Ability to collaborate and cultivate lasting relationships with diverse constituencies.
• Temperament to work with a demanding client base, including organizers of high profile events.
• Calmness in moments of quick decision-making.
• Strategic Vision.
• Diversity and Inclusion.
• Discovery and Innovation.
• Partnership and Collaboration.

Working Conditions

• Some evening and weekend work.
• Climb 271 steps up the tower.
• Lift up to 25 pounds.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Writing Sample (required)
• Link to recent recording of playing (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Museum & Arts

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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