Collegiate Orchestral Conducting: Session 5

How to Rock the Interview

Dr. Chaowen Ting

Director of Orchestral Studies, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Carolyn Watson

Director of Orchestral Studies, University of Kansas
With….

Dr. Jeffery Meyer

Director of Orchestras,
Arizona State University
So you’ve written an awesome cover letter
and submitted a great application! Yay!

So ummmm……

Now what?!
Phone/Skype Interview Process

• If shortlisted, you will generally receive and email from the Chair (or a
member) of the Search Committee, requesting a phone/skype interview
• These interviews can be as short as 10 minutes, or as long as an hour
• Generally, 10-15 candidates are shortlisted for interview
• The committee will generally ask a range of questions relating to the
position
• If time permits, you will typically also be able to ask questions
• Sometimes institutions will want both a phone and a skype interview, i.e.
two rounds of interviews, before selecting finalists
• It is possible that the Committee will select the final candidates to be
invited for a campus interview from the initial round of applications,
though this is not typical
Prepare for Phone/Skype Interviews

• Test your phone, microphone, and internet connection BEFORE the

designated interview time
• Choose a quite place with a professional setting/background
• Have the job description, your application materials (CV, cover letter, any
statements), names/background of the committee members, and some
water at hand.
• Prepare an elevator speech (45 second – 1min) answer to some frequently
asked questions.
• Take notes!
• Prepare in advance the questions you want to ask the committee. (For
phone/skype interviews, think just 1-2).
Some Typical Phone/Skype Interview Questions
(general)

• Why do you want this particular position?

• Why do you want to work at ABC University?
• Tell us why you think you are a good fit for this role?
• What would you bring to the role?
• Can you explain how your experience is relevant to this role?
• Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
• How would your colleagues/supervisor describe you?
• How would your students describe you?
• Why are you looking to leave your current position?
• What skills and experience do you bring that applies specifically to your work
with administrative staff?
Typical Phone/Skype Interview Questions
(specific to music/orchestra)
• What made you want to be a conductor? Current and past inspiration? How do you see
yourself continuing to grow as a musician?
• What’s your rehearsal strategy?
• What’s your recruitment strategy?
• How do you balance various levels of players in the ensemble?
• What’s your vision for the orchestral program? How will you build the program?
• What courses (other than conducting) are you comfortable teaching?
• Discuss your teaching philosophy and your experience working with students, student
orchestras, and teaching conducting (both undergraduate ME and graduate levels).
• Can you talk about your administrative experience with orchestras, budget, etc.?
• Please talk about programming, schedules, rehearsals, etc. moving into the future for
this orchestra based on materials that we provided (video and past concert programs).
Some Questions YOU can ask:

• What’s the school’s vision for the program in 5 years?

• What are the biggest challenges for the orchestral program?
• Orchestral rehearsal/performance schedule, repertoire (You can
generally find past orchestral programs online, but you can also
request it sent to you)
• Collaboration with other areas (choir, opera, new music, etc.)
• Ensemble management: budget, ensemble library, audition process,
coaching/assistance from applied teachers
• Work load: how many courses you are expected to teach, research and
service requirements, etc.
How you answer questions MATTERS!

• Speak clearly and slowly.

• Wait until the end of the question, take a few seconds to think, then
answer.
• Try VERY HARD not to say “um, ah, you know,” etc.
• It’s ok to say that “I need to investigate / research more before I feel
I can answer this question fully.”
• Research well! Find out as much as possible about the institution, the
music school, the ensemble program, the committee members, the
orchestra (rehearsal/performance) schedule, courses the
previous/current director taught, etc.
So What happens Next?

• Well, that depends on whether you are named a finalist…

• If you are selected as a finalist, you would likely hear fairly soon
after the phone/skype interview that you have been invited for a
campus interview
• Campus interviews are generally very strictly scheduled around
the committee and ensemble’s availability so there is often little
room to move. If you are unavailable for a campus interview
during the dates specified, the committee may move onto to the
next candidate on their shortlist
• Typically between 3-5 candidates are invited for on campus
interviews, most often with the number being 3
Travel Arrangements and Expenses

• If invited to campus, you will likely speak to a Dean, a member of the

administrative staff or committee member regarding travel arrangements
• Generally, all candidates are given all dates for on-campus interviews and asked
regarding their availability
• Institutions typically cover all major costs associated with campus visits – air travel
to/from, lodging, meals during the stay
• You may be asked to make your own travel arrangements and be reimbursed during
your visit, or the school/department may make arrangements on your behalf
• For other expenses (airport parking, mileage, meals en route etc.) it may be worth
enquiring, although this needs be done with some caution…
Sample Campus Interview Schedule: KU

Sunday, November 26
Arrival, Transport to Hotel, Dinner

Monday, November 27
10:00- 10:30 Tour of Lied Center
10.30-11.00 Tour of Murphy Hall
11:00 12:15 Meeting with Search Committee
Lunch
2:00- 3:00 Break
3:15-3:45 Meet with Dean, School of Music
4:00-6:00 Rehearsal with KUSO
6:00 Dinner w. Search Committee

Tuesday, November 28
Departure
Sample Campus Interview Schedule: Interlochen
Thursday, June 27
Arrival at TVC – Interlochen transportation staff picking up and transporting to Hotel

Friday, June 28
3:30 – 4:00pm Meeting re: visa process
4:00 – 4:30pm Meeting with HR
4:30 – 6:30pm Break/Prepare for conducting – Dinner available in the cafeteria
6:30 – 8:00pm Conduct Orchestra
 
Saturday, June 29
9:00 – 10:30am Meet with Orchestra Search Committee
10:30 – 11:30am Meet with the President
12:00 – 1:00pm Lunch
1:00 – 2:00pm Campus Tour
2:00 – 3:00pm Meet with Director of Music
3:15 – 3:45pm Meet with VP of Education
4:00 – 4:45pm Tour/Meeting of the Music Library
5:30pm Meet for dinner

Sunday, June 30
Departure
Questions?