Music Theory/Composition 2019-20

For Music Theory and Composition jobs that begin in 2020.

Last year's page, for jobs that started in 2019: Music Theory/Composition 2018-19

Music Theory/Composition 2017-18 (2 years ago)

Music Theory/Composition 2016–2017 (3 years ago)

Music Theory/Composition 2016-17 (4 years ago)

See also: Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2019-20

RECENT ACTIVITY on the Music Theory/Composition Wiki
Recent Edits

http://academicjobs.wikia.com/wiki/Music_Theory/Composition_2019-20?feed=rss&action=history|charset=UTF-8|short|max=6|date|

Subscribe to RSS Feed for This Page: http://academicjobs.wikia.com/wiki/Music_Theory/Composition_2019-20?feed=rss&action=history

Theory Only
Eastman School of Music(deadline 10/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory


 * Submit materials to theorysearch@esm.rochester.edu

Grambling State University (deadline not listed) Assistant Professor of Music Theory

Hope College (deadline 9/3) Music - Faculty (Emphasis in Theory)


 * see school-specific discussion below

Princeton University (deadline 10/1) Assistant Professor of Music

University of Massachusetts - Amherst (deadline 10/15) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * "We seek a scholar of music with a specialization in theory, broadly defined. Strengths in vernacular and/or non-Western music will be an asset"

University of Tampa (deadline not listed) Assistant Professor of Music (History and/or Theory)
 * (8/28) Position is not among those listed on University's website; there is currently no way to apply.

Theory/Performance, etc.
St. Mary's College (deadline 9/30) Assistant Professor of Performing Arts, Music
 * "The person hired for this position will be responsible for developing and growing a well-established jazz band and sports band."
 * "Depending on expertise and interest, they could teach Jazz and Blues in America and a selection of music history, theory, and skill-development courses, such as music fundamentals, harmony, ear-training, form and analysis, sight singing, keyboard harmony..."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2019-20

Composition Only
Berklee College of Music (deadline 10/15) Assistant Chair in Composition

Hong Kong Baptist University (deadline 7/27) Assistant Professor in Music Composition


 * Direct link to the job here: https://pers.hkbu.edu.hk/job_details.php?page_id=6&job_id=4941 (note the deadline is 7/27/2019, not 7/29 as previously listed)

Princeton University (deadline 9/17) Hodder Fellowship 2020-2021 University of California, San Diego (deadline 10/1) Associate or Full Professor of Composition
 * $83k (10 months) for independent project, no formal teaching.
 * Fellows are composers, visual artists, writers, etc.

Composition/Music Technology
Auburn University (deadline 10/1) Assistant/Associate/Full Professor - Music (Music Composition and Technology)

Simon Fraser University (deadline 9/20) Tenure Track Position in Experimental Composition


 * "We are seeking an experimental composer with a hybrid practice in two or more ofthe following: instrumental music, live electronics, improvisation, interactivity, maker culture, sound art, popular music, withinan established interdisciplinary and collaborative practice."


 * "Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority."

SUNY Oneonta (no deadline listed) Assistant Professor of Audio Arts

University of Redlands (deadline 10/15) Assistant Professor in Music Composition
 * " We are seeking an outstanding composer and teacher to offer courses in composition, electronic and computer music..."

University of Sydney (deadline 8/21) Associate Lecturer/Lecturer in Audio and Acoustics

General Discussion
(8/1a): At the risk of starting a war, could I humbly suggest that the composers start their own wiki, separate from the theory one? Nothing would stop one group from checking the other's wiki page--it's working fine with musicology--and the theory page could likely avoid some of the MRA-related dumpster fire that we've seen in the last month. Just an idea...
 * (8/1b): I enthusiastically second this idea. The idea of separate Composition and Theory wikis makes practical sense. As a theory PhD, "Theory Only" jobs are usually the only jobs on the wiki I'm qualified for. Likewise, most composition DMAs are focusing their energy on Composition, Comp/Theory, and Music Technology jobs, and not applying to "Theory Only" positions. I also think that separating the two fields' wikis makes the "General Discussion" section more useful. On last year's wiki, I'm seeing a lot of conflation of the two fields, where a theorist will respond to a complaint on hiring practices from a composer, and vice versa. In my opinion, this is unhelpful at best, and harmful at worst.
 * (8/2) Agreed! Signed, another theorist.
 * (8/2b): At the risk of increasing the risk of starting a war, may I offer a respectful disagreement? Yes, there are many jobs in the "Theory Only" section that ask for someone with a terminal degree in Theory; however, there are also many jobs in the "Theory Only" section that ask for someone with the degree in Theory OR Composition. I'm a composer, yet my first job out of the doctorate was a Theory position. While I don't want to speak for anyone else, I think most people out of their doctorate in Composition are going to be firing at any application that will allow them to apply, which includes a lot of Theory jobs. Also, the assumption that theorists don't apply for Theory/Comp, Comp, and Comp/Tech jobs, as well as the assumption that composers don't apply for Theory Only jobs, might be a little off. Finally, I don't think the solution to these dumpster fires is to leave the page and start a new one; you're almost inviting Karma to send you your own dumpster fire (and wasn't the most recent explosion set off by a theory job?). I think the solution is to take the high road; if someone posts a rant/diatribe on the page, either 1. Ignore it or 2. If you must reply, be calm and well-thought-out and then move on. We can't control the insecurities of others, but we can control what we ourselves say in response to the anger and vitriol of others. My two cents, but there you go.
 * (8/2c): I agree with 8/2b.  It's difficult to pigeonhole many jobs/candidates as one or the other, and it's easy to imagine such jobs falling through the cracks.  So I don't think it's as simple as just checking both pages.  The musicology/ethnomusicology divide is brought up as an example, but this is different; jobs don't seek someone to teach 18th century history and gamelan, whereas many jobs bundle together different elements of theory, performance, composition, and technology.  I also propose that, if a general discussion thread goes off on a long diatribe, we circumscribe that discussion to its own thread and move it to the bottom of the page.  That we separate generally helpful information from the "Comments Section."
 * (8/1a again): Well, I'm not a mod, so I'm not going to kick all the composers out (not that I would have done anyway). Just thought if the composers themselves liked the idea, they could make a break-off page.
 * (8/7a): I also respectfully disagree.  I'm a composer, but I apply to the Theory only positions at small colleges in addition to all of the "composition" stuff.
 * (8/19) As usual, the music theorists just want to bury their heads in the sand....
 * Hey (8/19), how's it going, bud? Excited for the start of the year at Middle Tennessee State?
 * Nothing like some job shaming to kick off the new semester!
 * Sorry for that, intent was not to job shame. Just pointing out to the poster that these boards are not anonymous, and that they've broadcasteded their location as well as their logged history of posts complaining about too many women being hired.
 * (8/19) here. I made the admittedly sarcastic comment above because it seems unfortunate that some people want to ignore the very real issues that confront our field(s) as well as academia more broadly. This wiki has, for better or worse, become a forum where people have the chance to work through some of those issues, presumably somewhat anonymously (although not entirely, as you point out). I don't think you've summarized my previous posts very accurately, but your black-or-white reading seems to be the general approach these days.
 * (8/31) Not that who I am is totally obvious to everyone, but assuming someone theoretically could get seriously offended by my history of legitimately reasonable and equitable comments on here and they tried to find out who I was and tried to retaliate against me in some way, I'm simply not thinking that's the greatest person in the world or the type of person I would want to deal with. Not saying there aren't some Robespierres out there that engage in a symbolic reign of terror to purify the world of all 'evil,' but it's doubtful everyone is like that. Maybe some people in positions of authority are so fervently committed to their cause that they would retaliate on a non-tenured, unemployed person based on a guess, but I think when all is said and done, there are few people who are like that. Individuals' actions speak pretty loud without having to be anonymous.


 * (8/19b) I'm a composer who got a "theory" job, so the notion of separating these things out just does not hold water.
 * (9/3): Let's get some positivity in here! Best of luck to all applying to theory/composition jobs for the next academic year! :)

School-Specific Discussion
Hope College: SUNY Oneonta:
 * Holland Sentinel: An Open Letter to Hope College Administration
 * Inside Higher Ed: 17 Professors Gone or Reassigned
 * Holland Sentinel: An Open Letter to Hope College
 * Holland Sentinel: Hope College on a Disastrous Path of its own Making
 * Holland Sentinel: Hope's Troubles Include Lack of Diversity and Inclusion
 * Wow.  What a hot mess.
 * (8/22) This is the fourth time in the past five years that this Composition/Audio job has been posted. Does anyone know what's up?
 * (8/25) From what I understand, the department is a complete mess and the administration is dyfunctional.

Wiki Counter

 * Check all that apply

I am a theorist: 9

I am a composer: 17

I am a little of both (theorist/composer): 4

I am a musicologist with strong theoretical leanings:

I am a computer music scientist: 2

I am currently in a TT position: 7

I am currently in a renewable-track non-tenure-track position: 1

I am currently in a VAP/Lecturer position: 6

I am currently a Postdoctoral Fellow and on the market:

I am currently adjuncting and on the market: 10

I am a recent (3 years or less) PhD and on the market: 1

I am a recent (3 years or less) DMA and on the market: 4

I am a no-longer-so-recent PhD and on the market: 7

I am a no-longer-so-recent DMA and on the market: 4

I was denied tenure and am back on the market:

I am a senior tenured scholar looking for a better position:

I am a tenured or tenure-track professor whose position has been cut:

I am an adjunct professor whose position has been cut:

I am working outside of the academy: 2

I am ABD and on the market: 5

I am ABD and no longer on the market: 1

I am not on the market but am an interested observer: 6

I am a member of a search committee: 3