DR.

JULIANNE KIRK DOYLE

Associate Professor of Clarinet Crane School of Music SUNY Potsdam
33 Chestnut Street Potsdam, NY 13676 585-802-3970 kirkj@potsdam.edu www2.potsdam.edu/kirkj

November 29, 2015
Clarinet Search Committee
College of Music
Members of the Search Committee:
Please accept this application for the position of Assistant/Associate Professor of Clarinet at the
State University College of Music. Knowing the great reputation of your College of Music and the
caliber of musicians that have graduated from your institution, I was very excited to see the job
posting for this position. I believe that my experiences in performance & creative activity, teaching
and service, successfully compliments your current woodwind faculty. I also believe that my
perspectives and expectations in music education closely parallel your Colleges mission
statement.
A teachers fundamental obligation, particularly when leading a studio, is to meet the students
where they are, help them meet their goals, and introduce them to new possibilities they may not
have considered. This interaction runs the spectrum: providing students with strategies to improve
their fundamental technique, engaging them in healthy practice habits, challenging their critical
thinking skills with regard to musical decision making and, for the most advanced students,
refining facets of their musicianship and professionalism in preparation for their careers.
With a pedagogical eye on present students, one must always be mindful to cultivate a robust and
thriving studio by continually connecting with students locally, nationally and internationally. I
have greatly enjoyed presenting clinics at numerous music education conventions in New York as
well as the Midwest Clinic and connecting educators to present clinics with their students as well
as working with a variety of levels when giving master classes as a visiting guest artist.
For the past 10 years, I have worked closely with my Crane School of Music clarinet colleague
Dr. Raphael Sanders, Jr. to maintain a clarinet studio area of approximately 50 clarinet majors. We
enjoy a very successful track record with our recruiting, and this fall welcomed 17 new clarinet
majors to our studios for a total of 52 clarinet majors on campus. I currently teach 25 of those
students weekly 1-hour lessons and 2 studio classes, one for freshman alone and the full studio
class. My other teaching obligations include: directing our clarinet choir, teaching courses in
Clarinet Methods, Repertoire and Pedagogy, and Clarinet Orchestral Studies (audition
preparation). Proactive outreach such as: staying in touch with our alumni, reaching out to schools
to present clinics, and connecting with band directors when we travel to various conferences and
events, fuels our recruitment efforts. Our graduates have no problem finding employment or
acceptance into graduate school.
As a performer, I enjoy its collaborative nature and always welcome the opportunity to work with
friends, colleagues and guest artists. My performance endeavors at Crane are comprehensive:
working with colleagues in all area of our performance department, premiering new works by our
composition faculty and performing concerti with our student ensembles. Northern New York
enjoys two large ensembles in residence, The Orchestra of Northern New York and The Northern
Symphonic Winds. Faculty also present concerts of Harmoniemusik and other large chamber
works. The Crane faculty believe it vital that our students to hear their teachers perform solo,
chamber, and in in large group collaborations.

When perusing my CV, the committee will see an extensive record of service to the school and
college. Of particular significance is my connection with Crane Youth Music (CYM) of which I
am director. Roy Schaberg, a Michigan State Graduate, founded CYM in 1973, modeling it after
the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. CYM serves as the largest recruiting vehicle for the Crane School
of Music bringing approximately 300 wind, brass, percussion, string, harp, piano and vocal
students to campus for 2 weeks in the summer. The faculty is comprised of the Crane School of
Music faculty and supplemented by alumni who are public school teachers. Our staff includes
current students and alumni serving as dorm Administrators, Counselors, Stage Crew and
Operations assistants. 2016 will be my 8th Summer serving as director. Approximately one-third
of the student population of the Crane School of Music are CYM alumni.
A snapshot of the breadth of my extra curricular activities this semester includes: serving as
Woodwind Area Coordinator; presenting a solo recital; performing with Northern Symphonic
Winds and the Orchestra of Northern New York; recording a solo CD with pianist Michael Sitton
(Dean of Music); Attending the NYSSMA Conference (All-State); receiving an invitation to
become an artist with Backun Musical Services (and having Morrie Backun insist on visiting Crane
to meet me and present repair clinics to our majors and assist them with complimentary repairs to
their instruments); and finally, serving on the campus-wide Provost search committee - involving
a great deal of work outside of the School of Music. The search in particular was very refreshing,
as it provided an opportunity to connect with colleagues in other disciplines and learn more about
the administrative search process. The committee as a whole felt the momentous weight of vetting
the right Provost candidates to pair with our new President. The search has now concluded and we
have forwarded our recommendations to the President.
In closing, I feel I am the ideal candidate for this position musically, professionally, and
colleaguially, but particularly with respect to my experiences in recruiting and retention.
Thank you for your work during this search process. I welcome the opportunity to speak with you
further. Please let me know if you require any additional materials.
Sincerely,

Julianne Kirk-Doyle
Associate Professor of Clarinet
Director, Crane Youth Music
Crane School of Music
State University of New York-Potsdam
kirkj@potsdam.edu