Music Theory/Composition 2016-17

For Music Theory and Composition jobs that begin in Fall 2016.

Last year's page: Music Theory/Composition 2015-16

See also: Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

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Composition Only
Cornell University (deadline 10/15) Assistant/Associate Professor of Composition

Ithaca College (deadline 10/30) Assistant Professor of Composition

Oberlin College (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor of Composition

New York University (deadline 12/7) Assistant/Associate Professor in Film Scoring (posting number: 01023)

New York University (deadline: open until filled) Assistant Professor, Composer-Lyricist (posting number: 01015)

Northwestern University (deadline 10/19) Assistant/Associate Professor of Music Composition

University of Chicago (deadline 11/1) Assistant Professor of Composition and Director of the Computer Music Studio

University of Nevada-Las Vegas (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor of Composition

Theory Only
College of Wooster (deadline 10/9) Assistant Professor of Music Theory (2 positions - 1 tenure-track and 1 visiting)
 * (11/4) Skype interview scheduled (x4)

Corpas University (Bogota, Columbia) (deadline 10/15) Adjunct Professor of Music Theory (starting Feb 2016)

Elon University (deadline 10/9) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (11/2) Skype interview scheduled.
 * (11/9) Campus interview scheduled.

Emory University (deadline 11/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory

Florida State University (deadline 10/15) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (10/22) On campus interview scheduled.

Ithaca College (deadline 10/15) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (11/5) Phone Interview scheduled
 * (11/12) Campus interview scheduled

Kennesaw State University (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory

Knox College (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory

Lawrence University (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor of Music Theory

McGill University (deadline 11/15) Assistant or Associate Professor of Music Theory

San Diego State University (deadline 9/14) Assistant Professor Music Theory


 * (10/4) Phone interview scheduled
 * (10/21) Campus interview scheduled

SUNY-Fredonia (deadline 10/15) Assistant Professor - Music Theory

SUNY-Potsdam (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (11/18) Wrote to ask about ABD applicants, and the head of the search committee said that they are only accepting applicants who have a PhD at the time of review, not who will have it by the time of appointment.

SUNY-Purchase (deadline 12/31) Assistant Professor in the Practice of Music (Posting #0800503)

Stetson University (deadline 11/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory

Stony Brook University (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (10/13) deadline updated to 5:00 PM Eastern Time on 11/15/2015, was previously 4/3/2016

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (deadline 11/15) Assistant/Associate Professor of Music Theory
 * (11/07) Sent e-mail asking about the "highest degree earned" in the situation of being ABD, got this response: Go ahead and answer yes if the degree will be in hand by August. Also just fyi, our human resources department made an error on the job application site. We are not asking for recommendation letters at this time but there are 3 spots for letters that must be filled. Go ahead and upload a copy of your reference list into each of those spots."

Texas Woman's University (deadline 9/15) Assistant Professor of Music (ad specifies PhD in Theory)

Tufts University (deadline 11/9) Principles of Tonal Theory II — Lecturer (Part-time, Spring 2016)

University of Alabama (deadline 10/23) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (10/14) open invitation to meet for "20-minute conversations" at SMT (via smt-announce)
 * (11/5) Skype interview scheduled
 * (11/16) Campus interview scheduled

University of Arkansas (deadline 12/15) Assistant Professor - Music Theory

University of Chicago (deadline 10/1) Assistant Professor of Music - Music Theory
 * (10/21) Request for more materials received.
 * (11/2) Campus interview scheduled (x4)

University of Denver (deadline 10/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (11/2) Has anyone heard anything on this one?
 * (11/7) Additional materials requested (x5)
 * (11/13) Isn't one of their adjuncts an internal candiate?

University of North Texas (deadline 10/1) Assistant Professor of Music Theory
 * (10/22) reference letters requested through online system
 * (10/28) skype interview scheduled
 * (11/11) Campus interview scheduled

Victoria University Wellington (deadline 10/30) Lecturer in Music
 * (11/13) Reference letters requested
 * (11/15) Skype interview scheduled for 12/4

Theory/Performance, Etc.
Albion College (deadline 10/15) Assistant Professor of Music
 * (11/8) Campus interview scheduled

American University of Sharjah (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor (or higher) of Music

Armstrong State University (deadline 11/9) Assistant Professor of Theory/Composition/Applied Woodwind(s)

California State University, Channel Islands (deadline 11/2) Assistant Professor of Music Fundamentals

California State University, Monterey Bay (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor of Music
 * "Assignment in Music and Performing Arts Department teaching music theory, musicianship. Additional teaching areas may include notation, conducting, and, as needed woodwind/instrumental music studies."

[http://agency.governmentjobs.com/csbsju/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1244812 College of St. Benedict/St. John's University] (deadline 2/1) Visiting Instructor/Assistant Professor of Music, 1-year (includes music theory and music history)
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

College of the Ozarks (deadline 10/15) Assistant Professor of Music (General Music/Music Theory/Choral Music)

Hampden-Sydney College (deadline 1/1) Visiting Assistant Professor of Music (1-year)
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

McGill University - SIMSSA Project (review begins 12/1) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Music Information Retrieval
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

Mercer County Community College (open until filled, posted 10/16) Instructor/Assistant Professor of Music
 * Required: "Experience teaching undergraduate-level music theory, music history, instrumental and/or other related music courses."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

Pacific Lutheran University (deadline 11/2) Assistant Professor of Music: Flute and Theory (ad specifies "D.M.A. in Flute Performance or closely related field")
 * Chances are that there is a very strong inside candidate for this position.

Reed College (deadline 1/8) Visiting Assistant Professor of Music (Choral Conducting/Music Theory)

San Bernardino Valley College (deadline 12/3) Music Instructor (full-time, tenure-track)
 * "Responsibilities include teaching courses in Music including, but not limited to, History and Literature, Appreciation, Theory, and Performance"
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

Singapore University of Technology and Design (open until filled, posted 11/3) Faculty Members in Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
 * "preference may be given to candidates working in ... music (especially ethnomusicology and music theory)..."
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

University of North Carolina at Charlotte (deadline 12/14) Assistant Professor of Applied Music (Oboe or Bassoon) and Musicianship

University of North Texas (deadline 10/1) Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology/Music Theory (ad specifies "PhD in Music Theory or Ethnomusicology")
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16
 * From Musicology wiki: "Reference letters requested (through online system) 10/22/15"

University of Washington (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor - American Music Studies
 * Also posted on Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

Composition/Theory, Etc.
Beloit College (deadline 10/15) Assistant/Associate Professor of Composition/Sound Studies
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

Berklee College of Music (deadline 1/8) Assistant Professor(s) of Composition (/Music Theory) (2 positions)

College of William and Mary (deadline 10/31) Assistant Professor of Music, Theory and Composition

DePauw University (deadline 9/21) Assistant Professor of Music - Theory/Composition
 * 9/29 - Campus interview scheduled.

Georgetown University (deadline 12/15) Assistant Professor of Theory-Composition (non-tenure-track)

Harvard University (deadline 11/16) Preceptor Position in Music (Theory)
 * "ability to teach composition is an asset"

Kent State University (deadline 11/23) Assistant Professor, Music Theory
 * duties include "possibly teach[ing] private composition lessons."

Metropolitan State University of Denver (deadline 11/11) Music Department Lecturer (Detroit campus)
 * "The successful candidate will teach classes with a focus on commercial music, musicology, music theory, songwriting, music industry, and/or music entrepreneurship."

Soochow University (deadline 11/1) Assistant/Associate Professors of Composition and Theory (2 positions)

Southern Methodist University (deadline 10/1) Lecturer, Composition and Music Theory

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (deadline 1/19) Assistant Professor, Music (Theory)
 * "Composition is a desirable secondary area."

University of Nebraska at Omaha (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor, Music Theory and Composition

University of Northern Colorado (review begins immediately, posted 10/28) Assistant Professor of Music, Commercial Media Composition and Music Theory

University of Miami (deadline 12/15) Assistant Professor of Practice in Music Theory (non-tenure-track)
 * "Preference given to candidates who can incorporate composition into the rigorous (traditional) two-year Theory sequence, and candidates with strengths in advanced analysis techniques and/or conducting a new music ensemble."

University of San Francisco (deadline 10/30) Assistant Professor, Music Theory/Composition

University of South Carolina (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor of Composition and Theory

Western Oregon University (review begins immediately, posted 10/29) Instructor of Music, non-tenure-track (Spring 2016)

Composition/Technology
California State University, Monterey Bay (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor of Recording and Technology

Dixie State University (deadline 12/1) Music - General Studies and Music Technology
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

KTH Stockholm (deadline 10/1/15) Assistant Professor in Media Technology, specifically Sound and Music Computing

McGill University - SIMSSA Project (review begins 12/1) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Optical Music Recognition
 * Also posted at Musicology/Ethnomusicology 2015-16

Middle TN State University (deadline 11/9) Assistant or Associate Professor of Recording Industry in Audio Production/Electronic music (tenure-track).

Portland Community College (deadline 11/20) Instructor of Professional Music (full-time, permanent)

Ramapo College (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor of Music (Music Production)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (deadline 12/1) Assistant Professor in Music Composition and Multimedia Performance

Stephen F. Austin State University (open until filled) Assistant Professor/Director - Sound Recording Technology

SUNY-Oneonta (no deadline given, posted 11/17) Assistant Professor of Composition and Audio Production

University of California, Berkeley (deadline 5/17/16) Lecturer Pool - Music and Technology with Max/MSP and CNMAT Technologies

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (deadline 11/23) Assistant Professor of Music Composition (Digital Media & Music Technology)

University of Iowa (deadline 11/15) Assistant Professor of Composition and Digital Media

University of Oregon (deadline 11/9/15) Assistant Professor of Music Technology

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (deadline 11/2/15) Assistant Professor, Music (Percussion/Recording Arts Technology)

Victoria University of Wellington (deadline 10/30) Lecturer in Sonic Art and Music Technology

Wayne State University (open until filled, posted 11/3) Assistant Professor of Music Technology

Internal Candidates and Internal Politics:

 * 10/8: I don't want to drag out the same conversation that gets rehashed every year on this wiki, but the speculation seems to be especially rampant this year.  If you're new to the market, a word of advice from someone in a TT position: ignore the speculation (verified or otherwise) about internal candidates, especially when that speculation leans toward cynicism.  The internal candidate may: 1.) not exist, 2.) not apply, 3.) get a different job, 4.) not get the job.  I got the job I have now while vacating a VAP position (which went to someone else).  There was even some speculation that my current job would go to an inside candidate (who ended up belonging to category number 1 above).


 * And yes, even number 4 is possible.  Here's one reason why: in almost all searches, an upper-level administrator is the final arbitrator of the hire.  The role of this administrator ranges widely from simply "signing off" on the SC's recommendation or, in other cases, actually taking it upon his/herself to pick the hire based from the SC's finalists.  I know of schools in which the SC actually gives said administrator a list of UNRANKED candidates from which the administrator can choose.  While the SC may be comprised from within the department, and its members may even hope from the outset to hire a well-liked internal candidate, the same candidate may be a complete stranger to the administrator who's going to call the shots.


 * This is just one piece of the many, many moving pieces that go into a search.  If you are new to the market, DO NOT let speculation about an internal candidate deter you from pursuing a job.  Don't even let it affect your thinking, especially if you advance in the search.


 * 10/8: I fully agree with the above statement. Eloquently said. I was on a list of four finalists for a TT position last year where one of finalists was a VAP at the institution but failed to secure the TT position and left. It went to an outside candidate who was a rockstar composer/teacher and who definitely deserved it. My advice for all is simply to keep kicking ass and stop being paranoid and negative. We will all eventually be where we deserve to be. Best wishes.


 * 10/9: In some situations, internal candidates have less of a chance than external candidates. Some committees feel obligated to pass an internal application to the 2nd round out of courtesy to their colleague, but it doesn't mean the candidate will be considered for later rounds in the search.
 * I agree with 10/9: I currently teach in an institution that has been having a few openings recently: in all of them there were internal candidates in the final list, but none of them made it in the end. I was myself in a search with 2 internal candidates in the final round, and I ended up having the job as an outsider. Just sharing my experience.
 * And in all the other cases the internal candidate gets the job.  Good luck to all.
 * Well I guess no one was arguing with the fact that internal candidates often get the job - the point is not about what happens the most, but that 'statistics' leave room for both scenarios. I guess what I could take home from what's posted here is that it is indeed not wise to be influenced in any way by the (supposed) presence of internal candidates.
 * 10/17: This is all good advice, and perhaps it's useful to reiterate it every so often. However, it is deeply irritating to have to waste an hour applying for a job with a predetermined internal candidate. (None of us can know what percentage of internal hires are effectively predetermined, but I think it's considerably more than zero.) I tend to read the anonymous sniping about this as venting, rather than as paranoia or discouragement.
 * FWIW: I was on an instrumental position search last year. The person we got as a one-year replacement applied for the TT job. It was obvious right away that this person was not the right person for the job long-term, but out of courtesy and misplaced loyalty, this person was advanced to the campus interview round. Thankfully, the other candidates who interviewed all blew this person out of the water and we have a TT person who's much better qualified and a much better fit. So. Yes, an internal candidate may have an edge, but he/she might also have been there long enough to demonstrate that he/she isn't the best choice.

Albion College

 * 9/27 Check out the faculty profiles. I'll bet you $1000 this is going to be an internal hire.
 * 9/29 Ha! I suppose that if they're obliged to go through the motions of a search in a case like this, we should be glad that it's so obvious.
 * 11/14 VAP is married to current full professor.  The ultimate inside candidate...

California State University - Channel Islands
10/1 - The University's site does not list any jobs in music. Where did this listing come from? Has the job perhaps not yet been posted on the University's site?
 * This type of jobs site doesn't allow direct linking to a specific ad. In the dropdown search box the title is "Performing Arts- Assistant Professor of Music Fundamentals." Job requisition # is 050899.

Corpas University

 * 9/25 Based on the job description, this doesn't look like an adjunct post. Anybody know anything?
 * 9/25 Since the listing says "tenure-track," "indefinite contract," and "full-time," my guess is that's it's a translation/cultural/language issue. Probably a good idea to clarify if you get an interview though.

DePauw University
9/8 - Is this year's theory/comp position replacing the 1-year theory VAP from last year? When was it advertised? The 2-week deadline seems very short. There is an internal candidate and the candidate is very strong. This position is different from the one-year position that was listed last year. Last year's was theory only; this position it theory/comp.
 * It was posted on HigherEdJobs yesterday (9/7) which is where I saw it (and re-posted to the wiki). It's possible that it was up on the DePauw website earlier.
 * (9/9) It is indeed a rather quick deadline for a 2016 position especially considering that candidates must submit a ton of material: "graduate transcripts, teaching philosophy, scholarly/creative interest statement, samples of scholarly writing, web links to recordings and/or scores, and evidence of teaching effectiveness, including peer evaluations and official (non-excerpted) student evaluations (if available)." Ugh. Who has peer evaluations of teaching effectiveness laying around? How many qualified candidates won't apply just because of the trouble of getting this stuff together? Then again, perhaps that's exactly the intention.
 * Given this infomration, very likely this is an inside candidate.  I estimate at least 50% of the jobs are for predetermined candidates.

11/1 - position was offered and accepted; composer was not an internal candidate, but currently lives in Chicago IL.

Emory University
9/16 - Has anyone been able to find the job on the Emory careers website (https://sjobs.brassring.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_home.asp?partnerid=25066&siteid=5449)? The only music job appears to be for an Assistant Dean of Music and Worship.
 * 9/19 This job is now available through the Emory careers site.

Florida State University
9/24 I can't get a direct link to the posting to work. From the Florida State jobs page, click on Advanced Search to search by Job Opening ID. The job id number is 39327.

Georgetown University
10/28 - anyone know about the job security of a non-tenure track position at Goergetown that has the rank of Assistant Professor? Is there a contract beyond a year? Any chance of promotion?

Harvard University

 * 10/6 - Can anyone shed some light on the rank of "preceptor"? It's a one-year appointment but can be renewed annually for up to 8 years. Why the cap? Any chance for promotion? Or is this basically an extended VAP at a prestigious school? And is it fair to assume this position will replace the person who's currently in the role?
 * 10/7 - no chance for promotion; somewhere between an adjunct and VAP with excellent benefits, good pay, and obviously prestige; I don't know details re replacement, etc.
 * 10/8 - It's a good gig, certainly, with good pay for a non TT job.  It's a full-time teaching position as opposed to the TT positions at similar schools, which are research and teaching (in that order).  Not to be cynical (there's certainly enough of that on this wiki already!), but Harvard is notorious for this practice: people I know who have gone to Harvard as undergrads complain that all their classes are taught by adjuncts and teaching assistants, and not the marquee professors.  The preceptor is often someone who takes on the onus of core curriculum that they aren't going to saddle their endowed chairs with.  A VAP is often a placeholder to fill in the gaps between TT appointments.  The preceptor is a permanent fixture in the department (the position is permanent, I believe, based on contract renewal).
 * I second what the others said - good job, no TT, teaching job, yearly renewal (so, no downtime for you), and max 8 years. I know a 3-4 people who got that job in the past. It is a good job, but it indeed ends after 8 years maximum, and there is no chance for the job to change into some TT - it's just a different job, it is not related to any TT search Harvard might open. I know of at least one instructor who was an excellent teacher, really outstanding, loved by student, by the faculty, by everyone. But no matter what, after 8 years he had to leave the job.
 * 10/25 - Just to clarify a few things: preceptors at Harvard are basically extended adjunct/lecturer positions (though as others note, they are paid well), typically renewed annually, though renewal is standard unless the teaching is poor.  Different departments have policies regarding the ultimate term, but anywhere from 3 to 8 years max is typical.  Some departments (including Music) have at times had a position of "Senior Preceptor," which may go beyond the typical 8 years maximum.  I don't know whether such an option would be possible for this position after the 8 years (and it still would not be TT), but the general practice is for people to "move on" before that.  I don't know the exact reason for the cap, but I've been told it had to do with old Harvard policies not to maintain a set of "permanent adjuncts" -- the hope is that the people Harvard hires are qualified enough to move on to a more permanent position.  (The pay and benefits are good, but I'd personally treat it as a "stepping stone" while continuing to apply for TT jobs.)  There are generally only 1 or 2 preceptors in music at any given time, so although I haven't looked at current faculty, it's a good chance this may be replacing a current position.  Regarding undergraduate teaching: preceptors in the Music Department typically do end up teaching mostly "core" classes within the music major.  I know some Harvard departments are notorious for having faculty avoid undergrad teaching, but the Music Department (at least in the past decade and more) tends to have lots of undergrad courses taught by TT faculty, with the gaps filled in by a preceptor or two and the occasional recent Harvard Ph.D. who serves as a lecturer for a year or so.  In theory in particular it is very common for the TT faculty to teach part of the undergraduate core theory curriculum and/or upper-level theory seminars for undergraduates.  Preceptors usually take on the other core theory classes which TT faculty can't cover.
 * 10/28 - Preceptors aren't "extended adjunct/lecturers." It is a faculty position. Preceptors advise senior thesis work in theory and composition, can be on the curriculum committee, and can teach/work with grad. students.
 * 10/28b - Oh, so preceptors are faculty, because they aren't adjuncts/lecturers.  Therefore, adjuncts/lecturers aren't faculty.  Argue all you want about job titles, I can guarantee this job will go to someone already in Boston.
 * I suggest for the sake of this entire wiki that you restore the post which you took upon yourself to define as "trolling" and then delete.  Censorship usually doesn't work out well.
 * 10/30 - my strongly-held conviction is that unless it's potentially actionable it shouldn't be deleted. This is an open forum, with all the rights and responsibilities that entails, good and bad.
 * Haven't you violated your own principles by deleting the sentence "don't troll the job wiki?"

Stony Brook University
10/9 Can the April 2016 deadline be correct? Surely they will be reviewing applications earlier than that.
 * (10/13) they've updated the call to indicate "5:00 PM Eastern Time on 11/15/2015"

University of Oregon
10/5 - Can someone confirm if there is an internal candidate for this position? It seems to be replacing a previous 3-year appointment of Instructor of Music Technology.

10/6 - No idea, but the requirements for the initial packet are ridiculous. Seriously, they are asking for a video of a lecture to a large course on the initial go-around? I think there must be an internal candidate. Either that or they are insane.

10/6 - They had the same requirement when they made this initial hire, and it wasn't an internal. Maybe its a way of culling applicants? How many can you get that have this video on hand?

10/7 - Yes, this position is an upgrade from the current non-tenure track instructor position to a tenure track assistant professor position. The current instructor is expected to apply and may have an inside track, but this is supposed to be a real search.

10/9 - RE: Lecture Video. Look at the request carefully. It just asks for a video of a lecture in the large-class format, not a video of a candidate lecturing to a large class. This is a good item to have on hand for job applications in general, especially abroad.

11/3 - sorry for this being a potentially bad question, but does that mean I could just record a lecture in an empty room?