Music Theory/Composition 2016–2017

For Music Theory and Composition jobs that begin in Fall 2017.


 * NOTE from Moderator, 7/8/2016: I have changed the naming convention of this page to fall in line with every other job page on this wiki. The 2016-2017 page (this one) is for the 2016-2017 hiring season, for jobs that will begin in 2017. (In previous years the music theory/composition wiki has been named after the year in which the jobs will begin. This is why last year's page has nearly the same name as this year's.)

Last year's page, for jobs that start in Fall 2016: Music Theory/Composition 2016-17

Music Theory/Composition 2015-2016 (2 years ago)

Music Theory/Composition 2014-2015 (3 years ago)

See also: Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17

RECENT ACTIVITY on the Music Theory/Composition Wiki
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Theory Only
Arizona State University (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor of Music Theory (x2)
 * (1/10) Request for video interview (x3)

Baylor University (deadline 10/14) Lecturer in Music Theory
 * (10/25) Request for more information
 * (11/16) contacted references

California State University, Sacramento (deadline 12/1) Tenure Track Instructional Faculty - Music (Theory)
 * (1/29) Request for video interviews with eight semi-finalists to take place between 2/2 and 2/7

Colburn School (deadline 2/10) Professor and Chair of Theory/Musicianship

Eastern Carolina University (deadline 2/3) Assistant Professor of Music Theory

Eastman School of Music (deadline 10/7) Assistant Professor of Music Theory (x2)
 * (10/25) request for SMT or Skype interview and teaching video (x3)
 * (11/7) request for writing sample, after SMT interview
 * (11/24) Finalists visiting campus.
 * (1/9) At least one of the jobs was accepted
 * Offer accepted: Chelsea Burns (PhD University of Chicago 2016)
 * Offer accepted: Orit Hilewicz (PhD Columbia University 2017)

Elon University (deadline 11/28) Lecturer in Music (Aural Skills)
 * (12/12) Skype interview scheduled for January
 * (1/19) Request for Campus Interview

George Mason University (deadline 12/15) Assistant/Associate Professor of Music Theory
 * 01/15: Any word on this one?
 * 1/17: Their semester hasn't started yet, so probably the committee wouldn't be able to make a decision for several weeks.
 * 1/18: Request for a phone interview (x3)

Gettysburg College (deadline 12/15) Assistant Professor in Music Theory
 * (12/29) Request for phone interview (X3)
 * (1/17) Campus interview scheduled

Indiana University (deadline 11/15) Post-doctoral Resident Scholar
 * (12/22) Additional materials requested (2x)
 * (01/18) Skype interview scheduled.

Lawrence University (deadline 9/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (9/15) request for Skype interview
 * (10/6) request for campus interview
 * (12/5) received letter saying the position has been filled

Middlebury College (deadline 12/15) Visiting Assistant Professor of Music
 * (1/13) request for Skype interview

Oberlin Conservatory (deadline 11/30) Tenure-track faculty position in Music Theory and Aural Skills
 * (12/8) Request for teaching video and phone interview
 * (12/21) Request for campus interview

Portland State University (deadline 2/1) Assistant Professor of Practice (Music Theory)

Princeton University (deadline 12/1 2/15) Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Music Theory
 * "senior position in music theory, analysis and/or history of theory"
 * 1/12 Position revised and reposted with new deadline and new description
 * "All ranks will be considered. Advanced assistant professors and recently promoted associate professors are especially encouraged to apply."

Shenandoah Conservatory (deadline 10/21) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (10/28) Request for skype interview
 * (10/29) Request for phone interview
 * (11/16) Request for campus visit
 * (1/19) Offer made and accepted – Rachel Short (Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara, 2016)

Southern Methodist University (deadline 10/15) Lecturer in Music Theory
 * (11/8) Request for interview

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (deadline 2/1) Assistant Professor of Music (Music Theory/Ear-Training)
 * "[Requires the] ability to teach an applied music area, preference will be given but not limited to bassoon, low strings, or jazz guitar."

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (open until filled, posted 12/8) Lecturer of Music Theory/Ear-Training (Spring 2017)

University of Alabama in Huntsville (deadline 1/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory

University of California, Santa Barbara (deadline 11/30) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (12/30) Request for additional materials and Skype interview (x3)
 * (1/25) Any updates?
 * (1/27) Request for campus interview

University of Colorado (deadline 12/15 1/12) Instructor of Music Theory
 * 1/7 Reposted on HigherEdJobs.com with new deadline of January 12. Job ad appears unchanged.
 * (1/10) Invitation for campus interview

University of Florida (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor in Music Theory
 * (12/6) Reference letters requested.
 * (1/13) Skype interview requested (x12) on 1/20
 * 1/17 Is x12 really correct here for the number of Skype interviews? Or was this a type-o?
 * 1/17 I think someone meant to delete the 1 and change it to a 2.
 * 1/20 Let's have a recount then: 3x
 * 1/20 What is it with Florida and recounts?
 * 1/21 invited for Campus Interview (x4)

University of Houston (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (12/16) Additional materials requested
 * (1/9) Request for Skype interview
 * (1/19) Invitation for Campus interview
 * Four finalists will be visiting campus.

University of Kentucky (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (11/14) Checked with the department to see whether we are, indeed, supposed to upload our own recommendation letters.Turns out it's a mistake and letters can be emailed to the search chair at: kjholm2 at uky.edu. Hope that helps!
 * (12/18) A friend told me that he had a Skype interview for this position this week. I'm not sure why none of the candidates have updated.
 * (1/24) Campus interview requested

University of Louisiana Lafayette (deadline 2/1) Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Theory

University of Louisville (deadline 12/15, posted 11/14) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (1/12) Request for more materials (x3)
 * (1/26) Request to contact references (x2)

University of Notre Dame (deadline 11/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (12/14) Request for additional materials and Skype interview.
 * (1/20) Invitation for on-campus interview.

University of Pittsburgh (deadline 12/1) Lecturer in Music Theory
 * (12/8) Request for Skype interview.
 * (12/15) Invitation to on-campus interview.
 * (1/18) Request for Skype interview.
 * Moved this discussion below to "School-Specific Discussion" section

University of Puget Sound (deadline 9/6) Sabbatical Replacement, Music Theory (full-time, 1-semester, Spring 2017)
 * This was reposted on HigherEdJobs and Chronicle Vitae on 11/17, so they must still be taking applications.

University of Richmond (deadline 1/1) Visiting Assistant Professor of Music (2-year)
 * "The successful candidate will oversee a theory curriculum that includes courses in harmony, musicianship and analysis, and offer courses in a secondary area such as popular music composition, music industry, arranging, leading popular music ensembles, and/or song writing."
 * (1/30) Request for Skype interview.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (deadline 1/10) Assistant Professor - Music Theory

University of Toronto (deadline 11/28) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (12/26) Invitation to on-campus interview.

Vassar College (deadline 10/1) Assistant Professor in Music Theory
 * "A secondary area in composition, jazz studies, music perception and cognition, or ability to contribute to a multi-disciplinary field would be welcome."
 * Request for phone interview (1/13)
 * Campus interview scheduled

Theory/Performance, Etc.
Alderson Broaddus University (open until filled, posted 10/31) Tenure-track Faculty Position in Music: Piano/Theory/Musicianship
 * "The primary instructional responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to teach applied piano lessons, piano classes, music theory sequence, and musicianship/aural skills sequence."
 * Also posted at Piano 2016-17.
 * From Piano wiki: 11/22 Skype interview scheduled
 * From Piano wiki: Position filled

Bowdoin College (deadline 1/3) Visiting Assistant Professor of Music (Musicology or Music Theory)
 * "Teaching load is two courses each semester and will include a Western classical music survey course for non-majors, an introductory music theory course, an intermediate-level course in form and analysis, and an advanced seminar in an area of special interest to the candidate."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.
 * (1/31) Request for additional materials

Cabrini University (deadline: review begins immediately, posted 26 September 2016) Assistant Professor of Music
 * "The Department of Graphic Design and Fine Arts, Cabrini University, invites applications for a tenure-track, Assistant Professor position to teach undergraduate courses in music theory and music history, as well as courses in the core curriculum."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.
 * 12/01/16: Rejection received via email. (x2)
 * From Musicology wiki: 11/28/16: Skype interview scheduled
 * From Musicology wiki: 12/09/16: Rejection received via email.

Central Michigan University (review begins immediately, posted 10/12) Music Theory/Literature Lecturer (Spring 2017)
 * "Duties: Teach undergraduate courses in music theory, history, and related areas, principally MUS 114: Music-The Listening Experience, MUS 313: Musics of the World, and MUS 718: Historical Perspectives II-19th-20th Centuries. Anticipated teaching load is 12 semester credit hours in spring term."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.
 * From Musicology wiki: 12/19 Position filled

Concordia College, Moorhead (deadline 1/15) Assistant Professor in Music
 * "Primary teaching duties are within the core musicianship area (aural skills, theory) and within one or more of the following areas of specialization: Composition, Music Theory, Musicology, or Ethnomusicology."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.

Doane University (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor of Music (Music Theory/Piano)
 * "Responsibilities include teaching music theory and ear training, teaching piano lessons and overseeing all piano instruction and accompanists in a thriving department. "
 * Also posted at Piano 2016-17.

East Tennessee State University (open until filled, posted 1/26) Assistant Professor, Piano/Theory
 * "The successful candidate will teach a variety of courses for the undergraduate piano area (applied lessons, pedagogy, collaborative piano, literature, and chamber music), oversee the theory area and teach music theory classes, instruct other courses according to departmental needs, and coordinate some piano tuning and maintenance. DMA in piano (ABD acceptable), but the doctorate must be completed by August 2018. Since the position involves a theory component, the committee will consider a cognate degree in theory with emphasis on strong piano skills. Interest in and command of undergraduate theory at all levels is a must."
 * Also posted at Piano 2016-17.

Hampden-Sydney College (deadline 12/15) Assistant Professor of Music
 * "The applicant will be a specialist in both music theory and musicology, with the ability to teach theory fundamentals as well as theory for music minors, and music history survey and topics courses. A third area of competence in world music topics, composition, and/or electronic music is a benefit."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.
 * It seems that there is a strong inside candidate for this one: a VAP who went through the same doctoral program, at the same time as the only other faculty member in music.
 * (12/15a) The VAP is indeed very strong, but not because they *might* have been classmates. UCSB's PhD program in music theory is impressive, and always has been, although people often overlook it. Their alumni are teaching everywhere (review the previous years' wikis in theory, musicology and ethnomusicology). Somehow they come in under the radar, as a colleague of mine put it, and "work hard to earn jobs other graduates prematurely take for granted." (UCSB is, BTW, the only PhD program in "traditional" music theory in CA.)
 * Well, this sounds like the unbiased opinion of an absolutely impartial observer who has no connection whatsoever to UCSB! Surely it must be accurate!
 * (12/15a) My PhD is from U of Oregon, and my BA is from U of Wisconsin. I teach In Southern California. No connection to UCSB, except that we have the same regional conference. I know the previous poster was only implying nepotism, but I wonder, what if the two faculty members both graduated from Eastman or Yale? Would anyone question nepotism? And for the record, I would swoop to the defense of many of the public research universities that grant PhDs in theory--many (but certainly not all) produce extraordinary talent without presumptuous attitudes. And again, see the data to gauge accuracy. I chimed in here because of the similar reaction to a post from last year regarding UCSB grads at SUNY...
 * (12/16) I don't think the problem here is any school in particular--be it Yale, Eastman, UCSB--it's nepotism generally that's so problematic given the state of academic employment. So few jobs and all are going to graduates of the same five schools--that's a problem.
 * (12/19) re: insider candidate--who cares? submit your app, or don't. why play head games like this?
 * (1/24) Request for Skype interview (x3).
 * The person whose job this was was recommended for tenure by the committee and the president but still didn't get it.

John Brown University ( deadline 11/15 open until filled, posted 10/14) Music Full-time Faculty: Theory/History
 * "Responsibilities include teaching the majority of courses found in the music core curriculum – music theory, aural skills, music history/philosophy, and Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.
 * NB: "... and a commitment to Christian higher education are essential."
 * Sometime between 11/15 and 12/10, deadline was removed and changed to "open until filled." Also, position was reposted here: http://careers.cccu.org/jobs/ on 12/9
 * NB: After submitting cover letter and CV, you will be given an application form asking for information about church affiliation, alcohol/tobacco usage, and anything in your personal history that could be deemed "embarrassing" to the university, if discovered later.

Johnson State College (deadline 2/1) Assistant Professor, Fine & Performing Arts (Music Theory/Collaborative Piano)
 * "The Fine and Performing Arts Department at Johnson State College seeks a full-time faculty member in the Music area, to teach and refine curriculum for Music Theory, Sight-singing and Ear Training, and keyboard harmony courses, to accompany choral ensembles, and teach applied lessons as needed. A theory pedagogue with strong skills as performing collaborative pianist is preferred."
 * Also posted at Piano 2016-17.

Kapi'olani Community College (deadline 11/16) Instructor, Music (tenure-track)
 * "Under general supervision, design, deliver and assess instruction in Music in World Culture and two or more of the following music appreciation, theory (general and pre-ed), guitar, ukulele, voice, piano and musical theater, with reference to course competencies and institutional and program level student-learning outcomes."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.

Ramapo College (deadline: none listed) Assistant Professor of Music - Music Industry
 * "The successful candidate should also have expertise in either musicianship or musicology, thereby able to teach either musicianship courses that focus on Western music theory, ear training, rhythmic training, and keyboard skills or music history/culture courses about diverse types of popular music as well as Western art music, jazz, or other music traditions."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.
 * From musicology wiki: 12/15 Skype interview scheduled

Royal Holloway, University of London (deadline 10/13) Teaching Fellow in Music
 * "You will be a versatile musicologist with experience of successfully teaching undergraduate courses in music history and analysis. Expertise in Schenkerian Analysis and/or Wagner is desirable"
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.

St. Norbert College (deadline 2/1) Assistant Professor of Music - Music Theory and History
 * "Responsibilities include teaching an integrated curriculum of music theory and history from the Baroque to modern eras. Secondary responsibilities may include Composition, Aural Skills, Studio Instruction, or other duties according to the applicant's expertise."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.

St. Peter's University (review begins immediately, posted 1/5) Assistant Professor of Music
 * "Required: Multi-disciplinarian with capacity for teaching a variety of courses in music, including music history, theory, ethnomusicology/world music, instrumental studies on a professional level (keyboard preferred), choral and/or instrumental ensemble work. Preferred: Experience in acoustic and electronic music composition in addition to studio work; Experience in computer music, music business and other music-focused topics (e.g. American Popular Music, Rock History, Musical Theater); Active artistic career in composition and/or performance, as well as scholarly research, and conducting experience (choral, theatrical and/or instrumental)"
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.

Tel Aviv University (deadline 12/22) Music Research (Full-time Senior Faculty Position)
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.
 * "The position is open to applicants in all fields of music research, including music theory and analysis, historical musicology, ethnomusicology, popular music studies, music technology, and music cognition."

Truman State University (deadline 11/21) Assistant Professor in Music (Saxophone/Music Theory)
 * Position requires a MM or DMA in Saxophone

University of Maryland Baltimore County (deadline 1/15) Lecturer in Music Theory and Academic Advising
 * "Teach undergraduate courses in theory and serve as coordinator of the music theory curriculum for the department. Advise undergraduate majors seeking Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Performance, Music Education, Music Technology, Music Composition, and Jazz Studies."

University of North Carolina at Pembroke (deadline 1/9) Assistant/Associate Professor of Music History and Theory
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.
 * From musicology wiki: 1/18 Request for video interview

University of North Carolina at Pembroke (deadline 1/9) Assistant/Associate Professor - Piano and Music Theory
 * Also posted at Piano 2016-17.

University of Nottingham (deadline 4/7) Assistant Professor in Music
 * "The successful candidate will combine expertise in musicology and composition (any style/genre), and will be able to teach at UG and PG levels a range of modules on aspects of composition, music history or practice (the latter might include, but is not restricted to, 20C music, music in the community, music therapy, jazz). Primary research expertise will be in either composition or musicology. ... Candidates must have a PhD in Musicology, Composition or Performance (or be near completion), or substantial, internationally-recognised experience as a professional composer."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.

University of Performing Arts Graz (deadline 12/1) Senior Scientist with PhD in Musicology or Music Theory
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.
 * 1/20 Interview requests

University of Tampa (deadline: 10/1) Assistant Professor of Music History and Theory
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.
 * 8/20 Does anyone know if the request for a conducting video is a mistake? The job description doesn't mention anything at all about conducting.
 * 8/22 Request for conducting video has been removed from the ad.
 * 12/7 Any updates on this one?
 * 12/8 Request for Skype interview and teaching video

University of Wisconsin-Platteville: Assistant Professor of Music Theory & Applied Instrumental Instruction (beginning Spring 2017) (Deadline: 31 August 2016)
 * NB: The job description states that clarinet is the preferred instrument and that the ideal candidate will be an "artist-level performer," so they are more likely looking for clarinet DMAs who can teach theory. Just saving all the non-clarinetists a few clicks.

University of West Georgia (deadline 10/10) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * "Other duties and teaching will be assigned according to departmental needs, and will be selected from: Applied Music, Composition, Accompanying/Keyboard, and Jazz Studies, or other assignments according to the experience and expertise of the successful candidate."
 * 11/12 further materials requested

Washington & Lee University (deadline 3/1) Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, 1-year (Theory/Jazz Conducting & History/Composition)
 * "The successful candidate will be expected to teach first-year music theory, direct the University Jazz Ensemble, teach a jazz history course, supervise a senior composition recital, teach a special topics course of her/his design during the University’s 4-week Spring Term, and administer the SonoKlect Concert Series."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17.

Theory/Composition/Etc.
Arkansas State University (deadline 1/27, but review begins immediately) Assistant Professor of Music in Theory/Composition

Bangor University (deadline 9/5) Lecturer in Music (composition/musicology)
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2016-17

Boise State University (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor, Composition and Music Theory

Hillsdale College (deadline 11/3) Assistant Professor of Music
 * NB: Hillsdale is a "fiercely independent college of liberal arts, committed to the Western tradition, informed by Judeo-Christian religion...Within the statement of teaching & research interests there should be detailed response to the College’s Mission Statement that includes a discussion of the candidate’s ability to teach in the light of its commitments."

Muhlenberg College (deadline 11/1) Assistant Professor of Music (Composer/Conductor)
 * "A completed doctorate degree in composition, significant experience in conducting, and full-time college teaching experience are preferred."
 * 11/27 Skype interview scheduled (x2).
 * 12/19 Invitation to on-campus interview.

Northern Illinois University (deadline 1/28) Assistant Professor, Music Theory and Composition

Northwestern State University of Louisiana (review begins immediately, posted 12/15) Assistant Professor of Music Theory/Composition

Ohio University (deadline 12/9) Assistant Professor of Composition/Music Theory
 * 1/24 Skype interview scheduled (x1).

Rutgers University (Deadline: 15 September 2016) Assistant Professor of Music Theory/Composition
 * Skype interviews scheduled for 10/19.
 * 11/15 This was one of the earliest posted searches and deadlines of the season. Any updates?
 * Offer accepted: Scott Ordway (PhD University of Pennsylvania 2013)

Southern Methodist University (deadline 10/1) Lecturer, Composition and Music Theory, Non-Tenure Track
 * 9/26 This job has already been filled and should have been removed from all job requests sites.  The new position now available is the Lecturer, Music Theory, which is position 49828.

Syracuse University (deadline 2/1, though review begins immediately) Assistant Professor/Composition & Theory

University of Georgia (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor of Composition (teaching includes theory)
 * 12/2 Additional materials requested (x2)
 * 12/14 Rejection received
 * 1/11 Skype interviews
 * 1/13 References being contacted
 * Did you have a skype interview on 1/11 or was it requested 1/11? Thanks!
 * 1/13 here, skype interviews were held on 1/11. Non-letter writing references were being contacted afterwards.
 * 1/30 Campus visits scheduled for February.

University of Redlands (posted 9/16, review begins immediately) Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition
 * 10/17 Additional materials requested.
 * Skype interviews scheduled.

University of Waterloo (deadline 11/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory(/Composition)
 * 10/17 Additional materials requested.
 * 12/15 Rejection received

Ursinus College (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor in Music
 * 12/20 Skype Interview requested
 * 1/9 Skype interviews

Washington College (deadline 9/15) Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Theory/Composition (Spring 2017)

Western Kentucky University (deadline 12/16) Assistant Professor of Music, Music Theory(/Composition)
 * "Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate Music Theory and Composition, Form and Analysis, Orchestra and Band Arranging, and Choral Arranging."
 * 1/11 References Contacted

Composition Only
Bath Spa University (deadline 11/24) Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Music (Composition)
 * 12/1 Rejection letter received

Belmont University (review begins immediately, posted 11/11) Assistant Professor of Music (Composition and Arranging)

Berklee College of Music (deadline 1/9) Full-time Faculty, Composition Department

Berklee College of Music (open until filled, posted 1/23) Full-time Faculty, Jazz Composition Department (2 spots)

Central Michigan University (open until filled, posted 10/4) Assistant Professor, Composition
 * 11/16 References contacted
 * Skype interviews on 12/19 and 12/20
 * 1/11 Campus visit scheduled for early February

University of Colorado Colorado Springs (deadline 12/15) Assistant Professor - Music Composition
 * 01/15: Any word on this one?
 * 01/16 Received an email on 01/12 from HR regarding optional race/gender/veteran/(dis)ability status
 * 01/17 Skype Interview Requested (x2)

Durham University (deadline 11/20) Lecturer in Composition
 * 01/05: Rejection received via email.

Eastman School of Music (deadline 11/14) Composer/Director of the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media
 * In case the link doesn't work, Job ID number is 197469

Peabody Conservatory, Johns Hopkins University (deadline 10/15) Part-time Faculty - Composition
 * Request for more materials received (12/22)

The College of St. Rose (review begins immediately, posted 9/23) Assistant Professor of Music Industry (Songwriting, Composition and Performance)
 * They are looking for a Singer-Songwriter.
 * 12/2016 Request for phone interview
 * 1/2017 Request for campus interview

University of California, Los Angeles (deadline 9/30) Assistant Professor of Composition
 * 12/22 Skype interview on January 3.
 * 1/24 On-campus interviews taking place.

University of California, Los Angeles (deadline 9/30) Associate/Full Professor of Composition
 * Skype interviews for the Associate/Full Professor position will take place on December 8 and 9.

University of California, Santa Barbara (deadline 10/31) Lecturer, Composition (part-time, non-tenure-track)
 * any word on this?
 * Andrew Tholl (DMA CalArts)

University of Chicago (deadline 12/1) 2017-2018 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Music Composition
 * This is the first in a series of annual, non-renewable, one-year Postdoctoral Fellowships in Music Composition at the Center for Contemporary Composition at the University of Chicago.

University of West London (London College of Music) (deadline 2/3) Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Composition

Composition/Technology
Allan Hancock College (deadline 11/7) Assistant Professor, Music (starting January 2017)
 * "This is a full-time, 175-day (10-month annual contract) tenure-track faculty position in the fine arts department teaching sound technology and may include recording techniques, music theory, electronic music, and general education classes when required."
 * 11/19 Campus visit scheduled

Baylor University (deadline 10/15) Lecturer of Composition/Music Technology
 * 10/31 Additional materials request
 * 11/7 Contacted references
 * 1/23 Any news?

Birmingham Conservatoire (deadline 3/5) Professor of Music Technology and Director of the Integra Lab

Brandeis University (deadline 10/31) Assistant Professor of Music
 * "Duties include the teaching of composition, theory and analysis at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Significant expertise in electroacoustic music and experience in the design and maintenance of an electroacoustic music studio would be a plus."
 * 11/29 Request for more materials (x2)

Brown University (deadline 11/15) Visiting Assistant Professor of Electronic Music & Multimedia

Colorado College (deadline 12/15) Visiting Assistant Professor - Music Technology (1-year)
 * "The emphasis of this position is on interdisciplinary and digital creativity within the liberal arts... The ideal candidate will bring an intellectual approach to the history and literature of music and technology, offering courses such as digital music production and digital creativity. Preference will be given to candidates with coding experience. We are particularly interested in candidates willing to support the core content courses of the music department through a secondary area of interest, in addition to their individual areas of expertise."
 * 1/8 Rejection received via email

Georgia Institute of Technology (deadline 11/1) Assistant/Associate Professor of Music Technology
 * 11/15 Request for phone interview

Goldsmiths, University of London (deadline 11/6) Lecturer A/B in Sonic Arts (part-time)
 * "You will teach in undergraduate modules covering a wide range of contemporary and historical practices and theory in electronic music composition and history, sonic arts, and phonography."

Hostos Community College (deadline 12/13) Assistant Professor of Digital Music/Music
 * "Responsibilities include the following: teaches courses in Audio Engineering, Music Production, Sound Design, Music

Lane Community College (deadline 11/27) Music Instructor - Theory/Music Technology (Winter/Spring 2017)

Liberty University (no deadline listed, posted 11/16) Assistant Professor of Commercial Music and Film Score Composition
 * Job posting number: 9019463
 * "Extensive experience leading worship in evangelical church settings (8-10 years experience)"

Mount Holyoke College (deadline 11/15) Faculty Innovation Hire in Digital Music and Music Entrepreneurship
 * "We encourage applications from individuals with expertise in digital music and entrepreneurship with possible areas of concentration including: electronic music composition, production, and sound design; music business and management; music production and engineering; music and digital media; interactive and intermedia applications; community engagement and collaboration; and music and social entrepreneurship."
 * (1/3) Request for Skype interview

Oberlin Conservatory (deadline 1/1) Technical Director for the Technology in Music and Related Arts (TIMARA) Department

Princeton University (open until filled, posted 10/27) Director of Electronic Music (Lecturer/Senior Lecturer), starting in January 2017
 * "The primary function of the position is to direct the Princeton University Laptop Orchestra, organize departmental electronic music activities, and coordinate co-curricular electronic music instruction. The Director of Electronic Music is also responsible for administrating and teaching academic courses in the theory and practice of electronic music, for maintaining the electronic music studios, and for supervising a graduate student assistant."

Ramapo College of New Jersey  (review begins immediately, posted 10/5) Assistant Professor of Music Production
 * "Ramapo College of New Jersey seeks a tenure track Assistant Professor in the field of Music Production. The successful candidate will teach all levels of Music Recording and Electronic/Computer Music courses. In addition to teaching, the candidate will be responsible for the maintenance of the Les Paul Studio (recording) and Digital Music Lab. The candidate should have a doctorate degree in music, or a MFA in music technology or production, and be well versed in a broad range of music software and hardware audio systems including Pro tools, Max/MSP, Reason, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live."

Savannah State University (review begins immediately, posted 9/20) Instructor - Music (Keyboard and Music Technology)
 * "Savannah State University seeks a full-time instructor of Keyboard & Music Technology qualified to teach music appreciation, keyboard, music theory, ensemble, applied lessons, and music technology courses."
 * Also posted at Piano 2016-17.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago (deadline 12/16) Full-time Faculty Position in Sound
 * "Specific areas of practice and research might include: acoustic ecology and soundscape; phonography; site-specific installation; electronics and electronic music, including analog synthesis, instrument design and construction; improvisation or other live-performance practices; work with innovative approaches to sound for video, film, or games."

Stetson University (deadline 11/1) Assistant Professor of Digital Arts
 * "seeks a Digital Artist whose practice emphasizes applications of technology to sound and music"

Stevens Institute of Technology (review begins 1/10, open until filled) Assistant Professor of Music and Technology (Tenure Track)
 * "Preferred candidates will have strong expertise in computational applications for musical creativity. Examples of areas of interest include but are not limited to technologically mediated performance, composition, improvisation, game audio, sound design, music information retrieval, instrument design, musical robotics, and new interfaces for musical expression. Successful candidates will teach undergraduate courses in Music & Technology and contribute courses in their area(s) of interest to the development of a new graduate program. Candidates will also be expected to collaborate with faculty to develop exciting research and creative initiatives around technology and computing."
 * 1/27 Phone interviews scheduled (x2)

Stevens Institute of Technology (review begins 1/10, open until filled) Research Assistant Professor of Music and Computation (Non-Tenure Track)
 * "a full-time, non-tenure track appointment as a Research Assistant Professor of Music and Computation to conduct research on a federally funded grant, and to engage in additional research projects at the intersection of computing and music. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science or related field and have a thorough knowledge of music theory and analysis."

SUNY Oneonta (no deadline listed, posted 11/21) Assistant Professor of Composition and Audio Production

University of Leeds (deadline 9/2) Teaching Fellow in Music (Electronic & Computer Music)

University of Miami (deadline 12/15) Assistant or Associate Professor in Music Engineering Technology

University of Michigan (deadline 1/3) Assistant Professor in Performing Arts Technology

University of Surrey (deadline 2/12) Senior Lecturer in Creative Music Technology

[https://recruitment.uts.edu.au/OA_HTML/OA.jsp?page=/oracle/apps/irc/candidateSelfService/webui/VisVacDispPG&OAHP=IRC_EXT_SITE_VISITOR_APPL&OASF=IRC_VIS_VAC_DISPLAY&akRegionApplicationId=821&transactionid=484554912&retainAM=N&addBreadCrumb=RP&p_svid=86744&p_spid=2582635&oapc=8&oas=WrXUmvaYcYGqfkF89_Lu1A.. University of Technology Sydney] (deadline 10/27) Lecturer and Senior Lecturer (2 positions), Music and Sound Design

UPCOMING DEADLINES

 * 31 Aug 2016 - University of Wisconsin-Platteville: Assistant Professor of Music Theory & Applied Instrumental Instruction
 * 01 Sep 2016 - Lawrence University: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 02 Sep 2016 - University of Leeds: Teaching Fellow in Music (Electronic & Computer Music)
 * 05 Sep 2016 - Bangor University: Lecturer in Music (composition/musicology)
 * 06 Sep 2016 - University of Puget Sound: Sabbatical Replacement, Music Theory
 * 15 Sep 2016 - Rutgers University: Assistant Professor of Music Theory/Composition
 * 15 Sep 2016 - Washington College: Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Theory/Composition (Spring 2017)
 * 30 Sep 2016 - University of California, Los Angeles: Associate/Full Professor of Composition
 * 30 Sep 2016 - University of California, Los Angeles: Assistant Professor of Composition
 * 01 Oct 2016 - Southern Methodist University: Lecturer, Composition and Music Theory
 * 01 Oct 2016 - University of Tampa: Assistant Professor of Music History and Theory
 * 01 Oct 2016 - Vassar College: Assistant Professor in Music Theory
 * 07 Oct 2016 - Eastman School of Music: Assistant Professor of Music Theory (x2)
 * 10 Oct 2016 - University of West Georgia: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 13 Oct 2016 - Royal Holloway, University of London: Teaching Fellow in Music
 * 14 Oct 2016 - Baylor University: Lecturer in Music Theory
 * 15 Oct 2016 - Baylor University: Lecturer of Composition/Music Technology
 * 15 Oct 2016 - Peabody Conservatory, Johns Hopkins University: Part-time Faculty - Composition
 * 15 Oct 2016 - Southern Methodist University: Lecturer in Music Theory
 * 21 Oct 2016 - Shenandoah Conservatory: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 27 Oct 2016 - University of Technology Sydney: Lecturer and Senior Lecturer (2 positions), Music and Sound Design
 * 31 Oct 2016 - Brandeis University: Assistant Professor of Music
 * 31 Oct 2016 - University of California, Santa Barbara: Lecturer, Composition
 * 01 Nov 2016 - Georgia Institute of Technology: Assistant/Associate Professor of Music Technology
 * 01 Nov 2016 - Muhlenberg College: Assistant Professor of Music (Composer/Conductor)
 * 01 Nov 2016 - University of Notre Dame: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 01 Nov 2016 - University of Waterloo: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 03 Nov 2016 - Hillsdale College: Assistant Professor of Music
 * 06 Nov 2016 - Goldsmiths, University of London: Lecturer A/B in Sonic Arts (part-time)
 * 07 Nov 2016 - Allan Hancock College: Assistant Professor, Music
 * 14 Nov 2016 - Eastman School of Music: Composer/Director of the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media
 * 15 Nov 2016 - Arizona State University: Assistant Professor of Music Theory (x2)
 * 15 Nov 2016 - Boise State University: Assistant Professor, Composition and Music Theory
 * 15 Nov 2016 - Brown University: Visiting Assistant Professor of Electronic Music & Multimedia
 * 15 Nov 2016 - Doane University: Assistant Professor of Music (Music Theory/Piano)
 * 15 Nov 2016 - Indiana University: Post-doctoral Resident Scholar
 * 15 Nov 2016 - Mount Holyoke College: Faculty Innovation Hire in Digital Music and Music Entrepreneurship
 * 15 Nov 2016 - University of Florida: Assistant Professor in Music Theory
 * 15 Nov 2016 - University of Kentucky: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 15 Nov 2016 - University of Georgia: Assistant Professor of Composition
 * 16 Nov 2016 - Kapi'olani Community College: Instructor, Music (tenure-track)
 * 20 Nov 2016 - Durham University: Lecturer in Composition
 * 21 Nov 2016 - Truman State University: Assistant Professor in Music (Saxophone/Music Theory)
 * 24 Nov 2016 - Bath Spa University: Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Music (Composition)
 * 27 Nov 2016 - Lane Community College: Music Instructor - Theory/Music Technology (Winter/Spring 2017)
 * 28 Nov 2016 - Elon University: Lecturer in Music (Aural Skills)
 * 28 Nov 2016 - University of Toronto: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 30 Nov 2016 - Oberlin Conservatory: Tenure-track faculty position in Music Theory and Aural Skills
 * 30 Nov 2016 - University of California, Santa Barbara: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 01 Dec 2016 - California State University, Sacramento: Tenure Track Instructional Faculty - Music (Theory)
 * 01 Dec 2016 - University of Chicago: 2017-2018 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Music Composition
 * 01 Dec 2016 - University of Houston: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 01 Dec 2016 - University of Performing Arts Graz: Senior Scientist with PhD in Musicology or Music Theory
 * 01 Dec 2016 - University of Pittsburgh: Lecturer in Music Theory
 * 01 Dec 2016 - Ursinus College: Assistant Professor in Music
 * 09 Dec 2016 - Ohio University: Assistant Professor of Composition/Music Theory
 * 13 Dec 2016 - Hostos Community College: Assistant Professor of Digital Music/Music
 * 15 Dec 2016 - Colorado College: Visiting Assistant Professor - Music Technology (1-year)
 * 15 Dec 2016 - George Mason University: Assistant/Associate Professor of Music Theory
 * 15 Dec 2016 - Gettysburg College: Assistant Professor in Music Theory
 * 15 Dec 2016 - Hampden-Sydney College: Assistant Professor of Music
 * 15 Dec 2016 - Middlebury College: Visiting Assistant Professor of Music
 * 15 Dec 2016 - University of Colorado Colorado Springs: Assistant Professor - Music Composition
 * 15 Dec 2016 - University of Miami: Assistant or Associate Professor in Music Engineering Technology
 * 16 Dec 2016 - School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Full-time Faculty Position in Sound
 * 16 Dec 2016 - Western Kentucky University: Assistant Professor of Music, Music Theory(/Composition)
 * 22 Dec 2016 - Tel Aviv University: Music Research (Full-time Senior Faculty Position)
 * 01 Jan 2017 - Oberlin Conservatory: Technical Director for the Technology in Music and Related Arts (TIMARA) Department
 * 01 Jan 2017 - University of Alabama: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 01 Jan 2017 - University of Richmond: Visiting Assistant Professor of Music (2-year)
 * 03 Jan 2017 - Bowdoin College: Visiting Assistant Professor of Music (Musicology or Music Theory)
 * 03 Jan 2017 - University of Michigan: Assistant Professor in Performing Arts Technology
 * 09 Jan 2017 - Berklee College of Music: Full-time Faculty, Composition Department
 * 09 Jan 2017 - University of North Carolina at Pembroke: Assistant/Associate Professor of Music History and Theory
 * 09 Jan 2017 - University of North Carolina at Pembroke: Assistant/Associate Professor - Piano and Music Theory
 * 10 Jan 2017 - Stevens Institute of Technology: Assistant Professor of Music and Technology
 * 10 Jan 2017 - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: Assistant Professor - Music Theory
 * 12 Jan 2017 - University of Colorado: Instructor of Music Theory (extended deadline)
 * 15 Jan 2017 - Concordia College, Moorhead: Assistant Professor in Music
 * 15 Jan 2017 - University of Maryland Baltimore County: Lecturer in Music Theory and Academic Advising
 * 27 Jan 2017 - Arkansas State University: Assistant Professor of Music in Theory/Composition
 * 28 Jan 2017 - Northern Illinois University: Assistant Professor, Music Theory and Composition
 * 01 Feb 2017 - Johnson State College: Assistant Professor, Fine & Performing Arts (Music Theory/Collaborative Piano)
 * 01 Feb 2017 - Portland State University: Assistant Professor of Practice (Music Theory)
 * 01 Feb 2017 - St. Norbert College: Assistant Professor of Music - Music Theory and History
 * 01 Feb 2017 - Syracuse University: Assistant Professor/Composition & Theory
 * 01 Feb 2017 - Texas A&M University-Kingsville: Assistant Professor of Music (Music Theory/Ear-Training)
 * 01 Feb 2017 - University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Theory
 * 03 Feb 2017 - Eastern Carolina University: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * 03 Feb 2017 - University of West London (London College of Music): Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Composition
 * 10 Feb 2017 - Colburn School: Professor and Chair of Theory/Musicianship
 * 12 Feb 2017 - University of Surrey: Senior Lecturer in Creative Music Technology
 * 15 Feb 2017 - Princeton University: Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Music Theory (extended deadline)
 * 01 Mar 2017 - Washington & Lee University: Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, 1-year
 * 05 Mar 2017 - Birmingham Conservatoire: Professor of Music Technology and Director of the Integra Lab
 * 07 Apr 2017 - University of Nottingham: Assistant Professor in Music (Composition/Musicology)
 * Open until filled - Alderson Broaddus University: Tenure-track Faculty Position in Music: Piano/Theory/Musicianship
 * Open until filled - Belmont University: Assistant Professor of Music (Composition and Arranging)
 * Open until filled - Berklee College of Music: Full-time Faculty, Jazz Composition Department (2 spots)
 * Open until filled - Cabrini University: Assistant Professor of Music
 * Open until filled - Central Michigan University: Assistant Professor, Composition
 * Open until filled - Central Michigan University: Music Theory/Literature Lecturer (Spring 2017)
 * Open until filled - East Tennessee State University: Assistant Professor, Piano/Theory
 * Open until filled - John Brown University: Music Full-time Faculty: Theory/History
 * Open until filled - Liberty University: Assistant Professor of Commercial Music and Film Score Composition
 * Open until filled - Northwestern State University of Louisiana: Assistant Professor of Music Theory/Composition
 * Open until filled - Princeton University: Director of Electronic Music (Lecturer/Senior Lecturer), starting in January 2017
 * Open until filled - Ramapo College: Assistant Professor of Music - Music Industry
 * Open until filled - Ramapo College of New Jersey: Assistant Professor of Music Production
 * Open until filled - Savannah State University: Instructor - Music (Keyboard and Music Technology)
 * Open until filled - St. Peter's University: Assistant Professor of Music
 * Open until filled - SUNY Oneonta: Assistant Professor of Composition and Audio Production
 * Open until filled - Texas A&M University-Kingsville: Lecturer of Music Theory/Ear-Training
 * Open until filled - The College of St. Rose: Assistant Professor of Music Industry (Songwriting, Composition and Performance
 * Open until filled - University of Louisville: Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * Open until filled - University of Redlands: Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition

DISCUSSION

 * 12/5 It's strange that there have been so few updates. What's going on out there?
 * (12/9) Man, every time I look at this page it's just more disappointment and heartbreak. There just aren't enough jobs. My PhD isn't worth the paper it's printed on... Anyone else feeling utterly hopeless?
 * (12/9b) Yes, completely and utterly hopeless. I have been at this for nearly 8 years and can feel myself aging out both in terms of how long ago I received my degree and my actual age. I think that there is a bit of a preference for new Ph.Ds/DMAs. I received quite a bit of interest in my applications just before and right after I finished whereas now I'm lucky if I get a couple of requests for more materials. This strikes me as odd because I've been extremely productive and have loads of teaching experience. Somehow, I was a more attractive candidate years ago with no real teaching experience and relatively little in the way of professional accomplishments. I can't wrap my head around it.
 * (12/9c) Sorry to hear that, whoever you are. I've heard the same - that one tends to "age out" after a few years. As you say, it makes no sense at all. Isn't experience a good thing? And of course this only adds to the terror. If I don't get a job THIS YEAR, then it's going to be harder the next, etc. I guess we can all hope that the job market picks up at some point, while we're driving Ubers around wherever we live. What can we do? Here's one idea. Whenever you talk to someone thinking about going to music grad schools (theory, musicology, comp - I have no idea what the situation is for performers), we should do everything we can to steer them elsewhere. This will not only (selfishly) lessen the glut of graduates a bit, but will also save that person from SO much misery. If they're smart enough to get a PhD/DMA, surely they can find something better to do. As for me, I'm already 43, so I might be doomed, even though my PhD is only a little over a year old. If I ever get an opportunity to actually interview with anyone, I will try to use this to my advantage: Everyone is worried about costs. Well, I'm too old to ever make it to full professor, so you won't have to worry about paying me that particular raise!
 * (12/9d) This is (only?) my third year on the market, and I've gotten barely any requests for more materials, despite having a very deep professional resume as a composer and substantial teaching experience and what I think are supportive rec letters. I wonder, however, how valuable it is for us to even try and rationalize the way these committees make their decisions. Why worry about wrapping our heads around it when there's nothing to make sense of at all? It seems like insider candidate situations, spousal hires or other behind-the-scenes connections are too rational as explanations these days. For instance, there was a long exchange on last year's wiki about committees not wanting to hire composers with too many professional accomplishments, because they didn't want to spend "20 or 30 years drying the tears of their students", as if accomplishments automatically indicate an arrogant attitude and inability to do your job as an effective teacher. In the end, though, I wonder how far we'll even get debating this stuff. If you're struggling on the market, it's not because you're unqualified or an objectively bad candidate. I say just do the best you can without blaming yourself for a situation that is so far out of everyone's hands. This may not solve the problem of the number of jobs out there, but it at least might let us preserve our sanity.
 * (12/10a) Nice words, 12/9b. I recall the conversation from last year that I believe you are referencing. The upshot of it, at least to me, was that academia pretends to be a meritocracy, but it really isn't. Not that the guy we were discussing (I know him) is not worthy of a good job - he very much is. But there are plenty of us out here who are equally worthy of a good job, but are driving Ubers, teaching guitar lessons, working as an adjunct for lower pay than Starbucks and Hot Topic pay teenagers on summer vacation, etc... Intellectually I understand that "it's not my fault." I know in my brain that I've done everything the "right way" for 10 years now, that I am very good at what I do, that I have enough publications and conference presentations by now to have gotten me tenure at a good school 10 years ago, but it still isn't enough to get past the first round of cuts in today's market. But knowing something intellectually doesn't make it feel any better on most days. Holidays are especially hard because my extended family is full of "successful" people who don't know what it's like in academia. I feel that they think I can't get a job because there's something "wrong" with me. It just feels really awful not to be able to get a job. And there are real world considerations. Not having any money isn't easy. And like all of us I have a mountain of student loan debt... I could go on. The point here is not to make anyone feel sorry for me. This is anonymous anyways, and others out there no doubt are feeling just as hopeless. The point is to share my feelings in hopes that other people out there don't feel so alone with their personal pain. I have also gone through a really serious bout with a chronic illness and the small kindnesses strangers showed me when I was sick helped a lot to get me through it. Only the people who had been or were also ill could really understand, and I think this job stuff is the same way. No one is going to understand as well as the other people who check this page in terror each day. So hang in there folks. Do your best to understand that this isn't your fault and I will do the same.
 * (12/10b) Since the Great Recession there has been a structural cause for all our personal "failures." In other words, it's the economy, not us individuals. When contingent labor comprises the vast majority of academic employment, it's no longer a matter of personal ability. We can't take macroeconomic trends personally, as painful as the conditions they create are. This is the failure of neo-liberal economic policies, not personal merit. But I repeat my question from last year (that was never discussed): as (presumably) due paying members of SMT, what exactly is the Society doing to help in all this?
 * (12/10c) The Society for Music Theory is not doing anything about this. It doesn't want to know about it because it's bad publicity or something.  Instead, almost like a for-profit corporation, what SMT wants is only to increase its own size, which it does by trying to get more people to join the field as grad students. It also likes to promote shallow areas of the field, those that require less of a learning curve (less expert training) to participate--just look at recent SMT papers as compared to those ten years ago--making the field more inviting. This, perversely, makes it more difficult for those who have been around and who have more experience and expertise to keep participating. The only thing SMT could do to help would be initiate efforts to increase the net number of music theory jobs, especially TT jobs. This is not happening, and shows no signs of happening.  Instead all the "professional"/career/CV/cover letter sessions at SMT conferences do is move around the deck the chairs on the Titanic.
 * (12/10d) The amount of jobs is not going to increase, at least not significantly. One problem that's being almost completely ignored is that PhD programs in music theory (and in the Humanities in general) only train their students to become university professors, which means that choosing a career as a music theorist is not a viable career choice, statistically speaking. What SMT can do is encourage a discussion about what types of skills theorists, and musicians in general, need in the 21st century, so that if one doesn't get an academic job, the next thing to fall back on isn't Uber/Starbucks/piano lessons/adjuncting, but an actual full time job with benefits at a record label, Google, Spotify, TV stations, etc. Of course, there may be a conflict of interest because if new PhDs could actually get jobs, who would work for (almost) free as an adjunct? Universities would actually have to offer full time jobs with benefits and competitive salaries and it would be harder for administrators to keep giving themselves raises.
 * (12/10c) I believe that a bit of "real talk" is definitely in order here. I don't throw around such accusations lightly, but I was BLATANTLY LIED TO by the professors who were recruiting me to go to their program for my PhD. I vividly remember a phone conversation with the Theorist Who Shall Not Be Named (as I have come to call him). I asked what their placement rate was like. He said that every single person who completed his/her PhD there - 100%, no exceptions - went straight into a TT job. He went on to say something like, "every spring, I have professors from across the country calling me to ask who's coming out..." PLEASE. Another professor at this same school likes to say "your dissertation is your union card - it guarantees you good work." Granted, I joined this program in 2008, so I was in my first couple months of PhD coursework when the financial crash happened. But there is no way that much of this was EVER true - certainly not professors calling him every spring. This was a bold-faced lie. Why did he tell it to me? Because he wanted me to go to his school, not so much because I'm some great student pr person, but because of funding. If they don't have X amount of grad students, they lose X amount of dollars - and they don't have enough people to do grading for them. It really sickens me and I hope these blatant lies have at least been dialed back a bit by since the Great Recession, but I fear they haven't been. For my part, whether I'm a perma-adjunct and Uber driver, or if I ever get a TT job, I will provide some real talk to students thinking about getting advanced degrees in the arts: go to grad school in music if you really, really, really want to, but just know that there are no jobs. Don't say you weren't warned. So what can we do? Start another SMT interest group? I don't see what good that would do... Hopefully there will be a slight uptick in jobs in the next few years as more baby-boomers retire, but I just applied to an MLS program. Librarians actually get jobs! It is SO frustrating to work for 10 years, doing everything right, spending close to $100K, for a PhD that's not worth the paper it's printed on.
 * (12/10e) The move by Academia at large away from TT jobs towards adjunct and limited term faculty is probably the biggest factor here. And so, of course, SMT can't do much about that. I'm not sure music theorists could be trained to do much more than teach music theory. Jobs at Google, Spotify, a record label, or TV stations (as 12/10d mentions) will probably never need (at least in any significant quantities) folks with advanced degrees in music theory. Now statisticians or computer programmers with undergraduate music degrees....that's another story. Personally, I think a secondary part of the problem is that the traditional jobs in music (e.g., orchestral gigs) are drying up, and in a related way, student interest in pursuing a degree that focuses primarily if not almost exclusively on common-practice-era music (taken broadly) is losing its appeal. And so enrollment in traditional music degrees at the undergraduate level is dropping (or at least certainly not growing). And that is another pressure in the job market for a PhD music theorist, who is of course typically trained almost exclusively in Western classical music. I suppose SMT could be blamed for some of that, although it's a bigger issue that goes to CMS, I think. (The CMS manifesto comes to mind here, which SMT seemed to basically shrug off.) Or really, the issue is that music departments around the country are not teaching a curriculum that is attractive enough to draw in more students. I really despise the "student-as-customer" way of thinking about a college education, but then again, if students aren't enrolling in music courses and music degrees in big numbers, then there will not be a demand to hire faculty members. But I'm not holding my breath about any of that. For as "liberal" as many faculty members seem to think they are, most seem rather conservative in their views of their subject and its teaching. (This last point seems particularly endemic to the field of music theory, for whatever reason.) I suppose this is all to say that I doubt it's going to get any better, only worse, at least for your traditional PhD in music theory degree holder.
 * (1/24) There is also the fact that many jobs are specific, either by design or accident. "WANTED: Theory professor who is a tonal composer in the style of late Bruckner, but dabbles 10% in Cage avant garde, but only in the context of 12-tone row construction whose name begins with "P." Humor aside, an example might be a conservative Christian college: if you are a politically liberal atheist, one might say you're not the best fit in the world.
 * (12/11) I'll build on 12/10e, and say that music theorists have dug themselves into a hole, professionally speaking, by the reluctance of many to move towards theories that examine new musics on their own terms - theories of rhythm and meter and theories of timbre are not only full of potential for thinking of  jazz, edm, etc., they can also provide increased relevance for theorists in wider arrays of music programs. The papers I've read on those subjects suggest there is a ton of work to be done in those areas, research-wise. Besides, the  religious adherence of music theory to the score as primary medium of reference leaves the job of thinking and teaching those things to electronic music composers and Jazz musicians: this must be addressed! In all seriousness, though, I think this might be a more realistic goal for the entrepreneurial phd in theory than a Google job.
 * (12/11b) We can't rely on SMT to help us. The decision-makers at SMT have "made it." What do they care about the great unwashed? If we want to improve working conditions for adjunct, we have to do it the old fashioned way: organize. What would happen if all the adjuncts in this country went on strike and refused to go back to work until we were paid a fair wage? There would be no one to teach almost 50% of classes across the country and administrations would have to do something. This is the only way things will change.
 * (12/11c) Totally agree with (12/11) about the need to move beyond music that was composed in Vienna between 1750 and 1800 (I'm exaggerating but not by much), or at least to study other means of inscribing music than the score (recording anyone?). Things are changing in this regard, but at the pace of a Bruckner symphony.
 * (12/11d) 12/11(a) has a good point but it won't change quickly. Try and get a paper on timbre, time, or the ontology of music past the reviewers for the top journals (although, I can think of one person who is doing some interesting work with time who has been published). They will have almost nothing to do with those subjects. I thought that progress was being made when AMS developed the Music and Philosophy Study Group but it seems to have little effect on what theory could be. Composition isn't any better off. If you don't come from one of 2.5 schools the likelihood of getting a job is next to nothing; no matter how good your work is, or how many performances and commissions you have. Ditto for winning the larger prizes such as the Guggenheim or Rome (I remember several years ago, 4 of the 6 that won a prestigious prize that year were all from the same graduate program and had the same advisor). This is not necessarily a meritocracy that we are dealing with.
 * 12/12a: The initial post (12/5) addressed concern over a lack of movement on searches, which I don't think has really been addressed yet.  In my experience, there is typically very little movement in the fall.  Especially now, administrators and faculty are settling down for a long winter's nap, and there will be little-to-no activity until the end of January. A very typical timeframe for a search: collect initial applications in October/November.  HR waits until two weeks after the deadline and then spends two weeks compiling the applications and weeding out incomplete packages; if the search is going to acknowledge receipt of materials, they will probably do it now, but not all searches do this.   SC gets the dossier in late November and begins reviewing them,  but this is the most work-intensive part of the search for a conscientious SC member, and also the busiest time of the academic year.  Many faculty will put this off for the break or even after.   Finally, in late January or early February, they start to advance through the search process.  This part actually moves rather quickly.  Interview season typically heats up in March, and you rarely have more than three-weeks notice for an interview.  December is perennially a discouraging time on the academic job market—this conversation is a kind of morbid holiday tradition on this wiki.  But it's an extremely slow process, and hibernation time for academic institutions.
 * (12/12b): I am the one who started the whole depression/anxiety conversation. I didn't actually mean for it to be a continuation of the lack of news question, I just didn't know how to start a new topic heading. My comment was spurred on by logging on a seeing that two jobs I hoped to be competitive for - Shenandoah and Pittsburgh - already "off the board." And generally it is depressing to see so few jobs. My current "boss" came out of school I believe in 2004 (PhD in theory from Indiana). He told me that at that time there were well over 100 good jobs to apply for. Now we're lucky if we get 40 in a year. Here's a question for 12/12a, who seems to have a better feel for the time table than I do... I know that in the spring or even summer we will see some temporary "emergency" jobs posted. But are we likely to see many more TT or semi-permanent teaching positions posted? Or are we already seeing this year's crop of good jobs?
 * Moderator note: I was doing some wiki cleanup over the weekend and I moved the original 12/5 comment up to the top, making it look like your question on 12/9 was in response to it instead of just having come later chronologically. Sorry for the confusion, but thank you to 12/12a for your details on a typical timeline.
 * (12/12c): I don't imagine we'll see any more TT openings, and so it's just limited term, and as you said those will be kind of last moment.
 * (12/12a.2:) There are usually a handful of TT searches that don't post until the spring (I know specifically of one that's going to).  The timetable I describe above is the most common—this usually involves the department petitioning the administration for a TT-line search the year prior, with the request approved over the summer and the job posting in the fall.  But another (somewhat less) common timetable starts when a department petitions in the very beginning of the year.  These requests are being approved around now, and the jobs will post early next semester.  Most of the TT jobs that will post this year have posted, but optimistically that's only about 80%.  Then, starting in March and April, a lot of VAP positions will come out when the deck gets shuffled and seats become vacant.  Even retirements are not official until late in the year, and while it takes at least a year to fill a TT-line, TT searches are rarely approved until the seat is vacant.
 * (12/13) I agree with (12.12a.2). In recent years, at least since I've been following the Wiki, a handful of TT jobs are advertised in the Spring, and although it may not be many, looking back these have been appealing jobs. My own position was only advertised in May! As for the discussion of jobs at Google/Spotify, etc. In order for music theory graduates to be appealing for these jobs, they need to do just what they would for a TT job - demonstrate potential beyond the skills the degree presumably provides. It is not enough in today's market to have taught MT classes or to have commissions/publications, rather there is a general tendency to prefer entrepreneurs (a similar discussion has developed among performers). One option is to acquire additional skills that fit today's digitally driven market (computer programming, web or graphic design) and demonstrate (or give the impression) that one is putting these abilities to use in new and innovative ways. This is as true for MT as it is for those hoping to become a 'music curator' at one of those streaming sites. Re- hiring at those jobs at Google/Spotify/Amazon/Deezer, it is recommended that applicants emphasize the skills obtained as a PhD while omitting the actual degree from the application. An advanced degree seemingly betrays an aging and over-qualified candidate (no matter your actual standing). I don't agree with this practice, but am simply repeating what I've heard.

Travel reimbursement

 * 8/19 Can anyone share advice on getting reimbursed for travel expenses? I've never had this problem before, in the many campus visits I've done in the past (I've always been reimbursed in 4-6 weeks), but this time it's been a real drag, over two months.The campus visit was in the Spring semester. I submitted receipts and requisition form in early June. When I enquired a few weeks ago they said they were working on it. But I've still received nothing and now they don't even reply to my polite emails. Any ideas?
 * Corollary question to 8/19's query: Is it typical to have candidates make and pay for their own travel arrangements? Every institution I visited (so far) has made (and thus paid for) my travel arrangements. Any institution which is unable to make and pay for travel arrangements up front sounds suspect to me and raises a serious red flag. I should add I am new to the job market.
 * (8/30) Every interview I've ever been on has covered all expenses, but some schools to seem to prefer the candidate to make the arrangements and pay for them, and then reimburse them.  I've never had as long a wait as 8/19 seems to have had.  I'd continue being the squeaky wheel, if I were you.  Another variable is that, in the time between your interview and now, the budget year has turned over.  I don't know if that will cause any troubles.  Hopefully not - best of luck!
 * 8/30(2) This is 8/19 again.  I've always been reimbursed for travel for a campus visit, usually within about five weeks. In this instance they fully invited me to submit receipts for reimbursement.  And I did, within the same budget year as the interview (in early June for a March interview).  But then they just never sent a check, and now they don't even respond when I write an email to ask.  This is an otherwise reputable institution, except that I notice that sometimes their entire website is down, which is worrying.  I just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience and what they did about it. Or whether there is something I can do that I'm not thinking of.
 * 8/30(3)  New poster: I had an experience like this once.  I finally got through by politely writing to one of the upper-level administrators I'd spoken to during my interview, cc-ing the search chair, and the dept. assistant who was supposed to have processed the check.  Passive aggressive maybe... but it worked, and with no hard feelings (I think).  It's hard to know at what level the process has stalled, so it helped to write to as many tiers at once.  Maybe a red flag, but then again maybe not.  I have respect for the institution and the people I met there.  I wouldn't read too much into it.  A great institution can have a bungling assistant in the human resources department somewhere.
 * 8/19. If you haven't gotten your money back, I suggest writing them again, but copying the Dean, Provost, VP of Academic Affairs and the University President., marking the email as urgent. You may want to use a  subject line like: Search Applicant from previous year's music search still awaiting reimbursement funds.   That should get their attention.
 * 10/15 I'm hearing more and more cases like this.  Is there any update?  If not, now may be a good time to call your family's lawyer.
 * 10/15 (2) Yes there is an update:  Two weeks later, I wrote a second time to about five people in the business office and the department as well.  This time, after a few days another person wrote back saying they were trying to take care it.  After another week--yes seven days--the departmental assistant wrote back cc-ing to someone in accounting, that they needed my SS# (which is the first time I've ever heard of having to provide and SS# to get reimbursed and also the first time anyone had asked for this since the whole rigamarole started).   Then after another ten days they said they were ready to process my check, which would take up to two weeks to arrive.  But WAIT that's NOT ALL:  after two weeks I wrote saying that I never received the check, and asked when was it sent and to where?  They wrote back saying to wait yet another week and let them know if I still didn't receive the check. They also said they sent it to the address provided on the invoice and quoted that correct address back to me.  After waiting another F%^&*@(**^^T$%ing week I wrote again.  They said the check had been returned to them because of an undeliverable address. It turns out that someone MISreTYPED my address in TWO different ways such that it couldn't be delivered.  So they cut another check and had it sent, which took another week; I received that check two weeks later, and deposited it immediately.  By the time the whole affair was over I wanted to flush someone's head down the toilet AND kick them in the stomach. Blech!!!

SCI National Conference - 2017

 * 08/29 (1): Has anyone heard anything about this? If my piece is accepted I'll need to apply for funding ASAP since I will be supplying my own performers and will need to cover their travel.
 * 08/29 (2): External adjudicator here. We were asked to assess submitted materials by August 1st. I expect the hosts/organizing committees will need some time to finalize programs before notifications go out.
 * 11/9 Any word? It seems to be very late.
 * 11/10 Received notification of acceptance on 10/8. Sorry I didn't notice this as something to update until today...
 * 11/10 (2) Strange. I received an email last night stating that they still had not finalized the decisions and that people would be notified by December 1. It's a wash for me at this point. Too late to get funding and I had to let my performer go for another gig that was a sure thing.

School-Specific Discussion

 * The Open University position, and University of West London position are not Fall 2017 starts, and should therefore probably be removed and placed on last year's wiki.
 * 7/13 I have moved them to last year's page.

University of Houston (no deadline published yet) Assistant Professor of Music Theory

 * There is no link provided with the current U of Houston entry on this wiki. This job, as of mid-afternoon on 9/7 is also not listed on the U of H's website. Is there an official source for this posting or does this just reflect a rumor that U of H will be looking for a theorist later this season? (9/7)
 * It was announced at a faculty meeting a couple weeks ago and is generally known around the school of music. Who knows how long it will take them to send out an official call? But UH is definitely going to conduct a search for a TT theorist to start work in the fall of 2017. (9/8)
 * There are currently 2 adjunct theory professors at this school. At least one of them might have an inside track. Just something to be aware of. And I hope you like guns, as this is a "campus carry" school.
 * 10/22 This job is now posted online (see above).

Beloit College

 * What is the connection between media studies and music? I see music not mentioned once in the job description, so I'm just curious how the committee would find a composer working with music technology appealing to them.
 * 11/23: I agree with the above comment. While sure, music is part of "media," there is another wiki for "Communication and Media Studies." I've removed this job from this wiki, as it's already on the other one. Please feel free, anyone, to re-add if you feel it is appropriate.

Brown University

 * 1/3 What happened to this listing? The interfolio announcement is here: Brown University
 * 1/4 Moderator note: I don't believe it was ever posted here. I've added it above for posterity. Do you know where it was advertised? I check quite a few sites for postings to add to the wiki, but I'm sure my list isn't exhaustive.

UCLA

 * Any updates on these comp jobs?
 * There are apparently a tremendous number of applicants, so it wouldn't be surprising if they're not through the first round of reviews, yet.
 * It looks like despite both applications being due at the same time, they are working on the Associate/Full search first.

UGA

 * Is this a real search?  They hired someone without a full search last year to replace another composer who fled the school after just one year.  Before that, they had another composer, an Australian I believe, whom they strung along for several years only to toss aside in favor of the person who later fled.
 * SC member here: This is indeed a real search, for a tenure-track position. No one was "tossed aside" and no one "fled". There have been in the past few years limited-term professors whose terms expired, and a tenure-track professor who was made a highly competitive offer from a top institution after one year at UGA. This search is to replace the TT professor who left, and left on good terms.
 * This is an interesting case.  What they did last year was invite finalists who'd been considered the previous year, essentially alternates for the candidate who left (or "fled").  So the initial poster is correct, they did not conduct a real search last year.  I'm not sure the legality of it.  This year's search may or may not be real, but I would guess the person they brought in from last year will have a leg up in this process.  I am not familiar with the Australian mentioned above, but it is common practice at a number of institutions to use temporary faculty, especially those from overseas with strict visa requirements, as a means of meeting teaching needs and then not offering them anything when they "expire", to use the term from above.
 * 11/23 I was one of the finalists for the 1-year search in May. It was a real search. I had not been a finalist in the previous year and still made it to the interview round.

Boise State

 * This job was posted on November 1st with a November 15 deadline. Sounds fishy. And now, the job posting has been taken down prior to the deadline. Sounds really fishy?
 * The job posting isn't down, it is still there . Also, I'm not sure when Boise State was added to this wiki, but it was announced well before Nov. 1st on multiple job list sites (Vitae, CMS Vacancy List).

University of Louisville

 * Not on the job market, but wanted to throw my two cents in for this particular job. If you have not been following higher education news, please do your research before applying to the University of Louisville. There is a massive culture change that is happening/being forced upon by the Kentucky state government. It's well documented in Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed. Yes, it's a tenure-track job, but it's not a great environment. I want everyone to know what they're getting into in the case they do decide to apply, get an interview, and eventually get an offer.
 * Most of us are unemployed or precariously employed, so this is moot.
 * 11/23: LOL, I've been thinking recently about how relatively calm and uneventful this year's wiki discussion has been so far, compared to previous years. Thanks for the "altruism," OP. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that your comment was done out of concern for the applicant, and not out of wanting to take a dig at the institution. But I'm sure anybody who progresses to the point of interviews and job offers will surely have "done their research" and know a bit about their prospective employer by then.
 * 11/23(2): In response to the (first, undated) response above, not everybody on this wiki is "unemployed or precariously employed," and I don't think the information given above is moot. Some theorists are relatively securely employed and considering making a move, and for these people, this is relevant information. In response to 11/23 above, yes, "anybody who progresses to the point of interviews and job offers will surely have "done their research" and know a bit about their prospective employer by then," but maybe the information the first poster gave can help them consider whether they want to waste their time applying in the first place. Thanks for the heads-up, OP.
 * 11/24 Count me amongst the precariously- and most likely to be soon un-employed. I would encourage those who have jobs to heed the advise and skip this one so the desperate among us have a shot!
 * Haha.  Amen, 11/24.
 * 11/28 OP here. I certainly understand the sentiment if you're unemployed or precariously employed. Regardless, I still think it's worth taking the time to look into it. The recent shake-up was big news. But it would have been easy to miss if someone didn't follow IHE or Chronicle over the summer. All it was, was a heads up.
 * 11/28(2): Can anyone elaborate on the situation or provide a link to a relevant article?
 * 11/28(3): In short, Governor Matt Bevin dismissed the entire board of trustees and installed his own people. Lawsuit overturned Bevin's move. Bevin is now taking it to Supreme Court. Work backwards from here: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2016/11/21/bevins-uofl-appeal-may-hit-ky-supreme-court/94245530/
 * 11/30: This conversation cracks me up. If I get the job will I have my own office? Will I get paid more than I could make at Starbucks? Can I have the job for more than one year? Then I don't care who the Governor is and what he might do!!!!
 * 11/30b: While we all have our own thresholds, the fact that 11/30a's is so low is concerning, deeply concerning. By which I mean, concerning regarding the state of academic employment generally!
 * 12/1: It is very concerning. It's absolutely dreadful out there.
 * 12/1 (2): All of which makes me echo questions as to why we're singling out the University of Louisville here. I have enough knowledge of the program (and the state) to know that in fact it IS a pretty great environment: the faculty there are some of the nicest and most collegial people you could ever hope to work with and the students are quite bright and talented. And Louisville is a really great city.
 * 12/1 (3): I guess you'd have to direct your question to the OP.
 * 12/1 (4): In response to 12/1 (2) It's pretty obvious why U of Louisville is "singled out." As far as I know, U of Louisville is the only university whose state governor has asserted himself into university life in such a way as to threaten academic freedom.
 * 12/6: Two words: Scott Walker. Not that UW has an opening, but he's doing some truly dreadful things to the University system there. Would I apply if UW had an opening? Hell yeah! Madison is like the greatest place ever. And to one of the points made above, Louisville is also a lovely town. These things matter. We aren't robots. At the end of the day, I want to make a decent living and live in a nice place. All jobs have BS that go along with them.
 * 12/9: I had a job at one of the UW system campuses. at 2007, when I got the gig, I got paid 42k before taxes (including some summer teaching). by the time I got my tt gig at 2011 I was making 37k... and paying higher fees for healthcare.  (2008 was the year Scott Walker got his gig in case the chronology isn't clear. ) I marched with many others around the capitol building in the late November cold when he broke the state unions, but stopped when the offer came. Still miss Madison, WI occasionally, but with the latest elections I am relieved beyond words I'm in the warm blue yonder of northern New England.
 * 1/17: For those still considering and/or in the running for this job: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2017/01/13/kentucky-governor-puts-louisville-at-risk-of-losing-accreditation/

University of Pittsburgh

 * (1/19) This seems odd. They already extended at least one invitation to a campus interview then backtracked and asked for another Skype interview? I've "only" been watching these wiki pages for four years, but I don't think I've seen this. Can anyone clarify?
 * (1/19) I can't, but I will say that I got the impression that this was a poorly handled job search. Despite being a non-tenure Lecturer position, it was one of the most demanding applications of this entire cycle, and "2-3 writing samples" turned into "you must have three" when you actually tried to submit the application. Something just seemed off about this entire search.
 * (1/20) I thought that was odd too - that they asked for so many writing samples. I figured that they simply wanted to be paying for a teacher but get some research on the side "for free." If so, they're far from the only school that plays that game.
 * (1/22) According to the search committee, this is a teaching position. There is no expectation/requirement of research.
 * (1/23) Right, (1/22), this is why it's odd that this app required more writing samples than any other this year (as far as I know). Hence my comment that they are wanting to pay for teaching but get research on the side for free. I can think of no other explanation for asking for multiple writing samples on a teaching position. Seem to me it's a bit of a scam.
 * (1/23 2) Really, no other possible explanation than that the faculty is trying to steal your research?  How about someone on the search committee thought it was important to see evidence of candidates' research abilities even though that's not the focus of the job, and then went a little overboard?  The conception of the job changed at some point but the ad was never totally revamped?  Some low-level HR worker simply checked the wrong box or posted the wrong template?  Never ascribe to malice what can be adequately explained by incompetence.
 * (1/23 3) SCs often like to see what topics the candidate might be able/willing to teach as electives or what topics might appeal to their upper-division/graduate students... It is a teaching position, but the candidate should be able to teach within the perview of their expertise. The announcement calls for someone skilled "particularly in non-tonal music." Thus it makes sense to ask for research samples. I think it is no trouble at all to accommodate such a request if one already has two articles or dissertation chapters out in print or review. Completely reasonable.
 * (1/23 4) I am a graduate of the program and know that the previous lecturer left because of issues surrounding this, such as advising disserations but then not being allowed to be listed on the advising committee, being told that research was necessary for their position, but being given no research budget. The PhD program is "comp/theory" and the successful candidate will be the only theorist on faculty - so advising is necessary. Lecturers cannot officially advise at Pitt and do not receive support for research. This isn't to say don't go for it, as you can always leave for a better position, but these are things to be aware of if you are juggling multiple offers. In the current climate, I'd take it... And that worries me.
 * (1/23 5) To (1/23 2), this is (1/23) responding. I wasn't saying that they were trying to "steal" my research, but as confirmed by (1/23 4), it does seem that the school wants to pay for teaching but have that faculty also produce research - research that would not be "paid for" in the form of salary. I have run into the same thing where I currently work. I only get paid to teach (and barely get paid at that) but it has been made clear that I am also expected to produce research, not for my own future and my goal of getting a real, permanent job, but simply because the school expects it from their faculty, whether I am compensated for that time or not. Is this malicious? I don't know, but to me it's a scam. I would also gladly take the Pittsburg job (I won't - I wasn't invited to an inverview) or any other job. But I would continue to apply to other positions until I wound up someplace that pays me fairly for what I am expected to do. At some point schools are going to get tired of running searches and just decide to retain good people.