Drumline Director

The mission of The University of Bridgeport is to promote academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

Position Description Summary/Purpose:

The Drumline Director is responsible for founding, developing, and leading the University’s drumline program. The director will recruit and train student percussionists, arrange and teach music, coordinate performances, and oversee rehearsals and logistics for campus and athletic events.

This position requires strong percussion instruction skills, leadership ability, and experience building or managing a collegiate or competitive drumline program.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Lead a comprehensive recruitment effort to establish and grow the university drumline program

• Conduct outreach to local High Schools, current University of Bridgeport students, potential transfer students

• Recruit and audition student percussionists

• Build a culture of excellence, teamwork, and school spirit

• Instruction & Music Direction

• Arrange and select music for drumline performances

• Maintain musical standards while encouraging participation from students of varying ability levels.

• Prepare students for performances at athletic events and campus functions

• Manage equipment inventory and maintenance

• Assist with purchasing percussion equipment within approved budget

• Coordinate performances at basketball, pep rallies, and other sports and university events

• Collaborate with athletics and student activities

• Assist with travel logistics when required

• Conducts all work in a safe manner and all work safety practices are followed.

Other Functions: 

• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

• Continues professional development and training; keeps current with trends.

• Assists other department staff as needed to promote a team effort.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

• Develop rehearsal structure and performance standards

• Teach marching percussion technique and performance skills

• Maintain and lead rehearsal schedules and attendance records

• Familiarity with marching band and/or competitive drumline standards, judging criteria, and performance expectations

• Communicate regularly with students and university staff

• Mentor section leaders and student leadership team

• Promote student engagement and retention

• Understanding of instrument care, tuning, and maintenance

• Strong organizational skills, including scheduling sectionals, coordinating performances, and managing equipment logistics

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required for rehearsals and games

• Demonstrated commitment to developing and fostering best practices and policies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and build an environment in which all members of the University community are treated with respect and dignity.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Music, Music Education, Percussion Performance or related field; Master’s degree preferred

• 1-3 years of experience teaching or directing a drumline, marching band percussion section, or similar ensemble

• Experience performing in or teaching a marching drumline

• Strong background in marching percussion technique

• Experience writing or arranging drumline music and cadences

• Prior experience working with student musicians in an educational or youth development setting

• Ability to organize rehearsals and manage student ensembles

• Knowledge of instrument maintenance, tuning, and equipment management

• Experience arranging music for drumline

• Experience starting or rebuilding a percussion program

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Work Environment

Physical Activity

Lifting Requirements 

Vision requirements (Especially relevant if driving is required by the job)

_X_     Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

_X_     Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

___      Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

_X_     Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or

            left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

_X_     Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and

            spatial relationships)

___      No special vision requirements

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the University as the needs of the University and requirements of the job change.)

The University of Bridgeport provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The University of Bridgeport complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.