Archive of 08-09 theory/comp job wiki
CMS Music Vacancy List
CHE Job List
Higher Ed Jobs

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Broward College (12-5-08 deadline): The successful candidate must be able to teach music theory, aural skills, and piano in an Associates of Arts degree program.
http://www.broward.edu/ext/DepartmentOutlines.jsp?Name=MUE
University of South Florida (12-19-08 deadline): Assistant Professor, tenure-track. Teach undergraduate and graduate theory and aural skills, experience with instructional technology.
http://www.arts.usf.edu/administration/employment/USF_SOM_Assistant-Professor-Music-Theory.pdf
Grinnell College (10-24-08 deadline): The teaching schedule of five courses over two semesters will include Harmony, Form and Analysis, Aural Skills, music technology and upper-level theory courses and other courses determined by candidate's areas of expertise, every few years one course will be Tutorial (a writing/critical thinking course for first-year students, oriented toward a special topic).
http://web.grinnell.edu/music/index.html
UPDATE: Phone interviews being conducted, Nov 14.
University of Iowa (12-01-08 deadline): Ass't Prof, tenure track. Teach undergraduate and graduate tonal and post-tonal theory; supervise graduate students; research and service. Specialization open.
http://jobs.uiowa.edu/faculty/view/56241
Northwestern University (11-17-08 Deadline): Music Theory and Cognition, open rank.
http://www.music.northwestern.edu/
Louisiana State (11-3-08 Deadline): Music Theory, Assistant Prof
http://www.music.lsu.edu/geninfo/vacancies/musictheory.html
Towson University (12-01-08 deadline):Teach core theory/musicianship courses, with possibility of graduate instruction; oversee theory-related pedagogical use of departmental computer laboratory.
http://www.towson.edu/music/
University of North Carolina, Asheville (12-01-08 deadline):teach undergraduate theory and aural skills sequences as well as contribute to the jazz and contemporary performance programs.
http://www.unca.edu/music/
Update: I just received an e-mail from the chair of this search that it has been cancelled due to budgetary issues. Hmm, I received a letter on watermarked stationary. I wonder how many more letters such as this are forthcoming??

Keene State College (11-14-08 deadline): coordinate the department's music theory / aural skills curriculum.
http://academics.keene.edu/music/about_welcome.html
Cornell University (10-31-08 deadline): Music historian or theorist specializing in Western music of the 19th or 20th century.
http://www.arts.cornell.edu/music/
Update Hiring freeze for administrative and staff positions until March announced on 11-07-08. Faculty searches will continue but will be "carefully reviewed."
Eastman School of Music (10-10-08 deadline): The area of specialization is the theory and practice of contemporary music.
http://www.esm.rochester.edu/
Nazareth College (12-21-08 deadline): Teach in the following areas: first and second-year written music theory and aural skills sequence, upper level music theory ourses (including counterpoint, form and
analysis), graduate music theory courses, undergraduate liberal studies music courses.
http://www.naz.edu/dept/music/
Oberlin Conservatory (11-30-08 deadline): three full-time, tenure-track faculty positions in Music Theory and Aural Skills
http://www.oberlin.edu/con/
University of texas at Arlington (10-13-08 deadline): Teach undergraduate courses in music theory and music literature; other courses might include music history, music appreciation, and graduate courses in music theory or music history depending on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the department.
Status: Interviews completed.


http://www.uta.edu/music/
James Madison University (10-15-08 Deadline): Responsibilities: Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in music theory at all levels and in a variety of topics, including the core written and aural theory curricula, analysis, counterpoint, and graduate level courses such as analytical techniques and music theory pedagogy.
http://www.jmu.edu/music/

ON - University of Ottawa (10-15-08 deadline): Teaching duties primarily in French.
http://www.music.uottawa.ca/
UPDATE: Receipt of application snail-mailed.

HK - Chinese University of Hong Kong (11-28-08 deadline): Rank of Associate Professor and Assistant Professor

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MA - Wellesley College (10-22-08 deadline): wide-ranging scholarly and musical concerns with strengths in composition (including electronic music) and music theory.
http://www.wellesley.edu/Music/home.html
Update: First-round survivors contacted for short interview.

MN - Macalester College (10-03-08 deadline): While the position is intended primarily to serve the four-course theory and ear-training sequence, we are most interested in candidates who bring additional expertise in electronic music, music technology, or jazz.
http://www.macalester.edu/music/
Update Semifinalists identified; additional materials requested.

1. Were receipt of application acknowledgments ever sent? I never got one.
   

Interviews underway.

NH - Dartmouth College (10-01-08 deadline): liberal arts curriculum that integrates composition, performance, theory, history, world music, and jazz studies; also work with graduate program in electronic music
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~music/
UPDATE: receipt of applications snail-mailed. Short-list to be drawn by early November.
UPDATE request for additional materials emailed on 11-04-08.

IL - Illinois State University (12-1-08 deadline): Teach undergraduate courses in theory and musicianship, plus undergraduate and
graduate courses in applied composition and analysis. Additional courses may include
orchestration, counterpoint, or others according to interest and specialization. Desirable
areas of specialization may include electro-acoustic composition or Schenkerian analysis.
http://www.cfa.ilstu.edu/music/

VA - Hampden Sydney College (11-15-08 deadline): Teach theory and comp and accompany the Hampden Sydney chorus - you should also be interested in directing their chamber music festival.
http://chronicle.com/jobs/id.php?id=0000576053-01

TX - Texas Tech University (12-1-08 deadline): Teach graduate and/or undergraduate music theory and composition courses and individual composition students; advise thesis and dissertation students; engage in scholarly or creative research and publication; participate in appropriate faculty service.
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music/

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IL - Lake Forest College (11-17 deadline): Dynamic orchestra conductor with the ability to teach all levels of music theory and some of the following courses: world music, music in general studies, electronic music, music education.
http://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/programs/musc/default.asp

OH - Ohio University (10-12-08 Deadline): Primary responsibilities will include teaching applied oboe, related courses in pedagogy and repertoire, double reed methods, coach chamber music, and teach undergraduate courses in music theory and/or aural skills
http://music.ou.edu/

WI - University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point (10-31-08 deadline): The position will include teaching applied flute and music theory.
http://www.uwsp.edu/music/

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DE - University of Delaware (10-03-08 deadline)
http://www.music.udel.edu/
UPDATE Acknowledgement snail-mailed

FL - Jacksonville University

CT - Trinity College (11-01-08 deadline)
http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/musc/
Acknowledgement sent via email on 10/28
Has anyone heard anything?
Not a thing - no acknowledgement either.
Materials requested and there have been phone interviews.

NC - Duke University (10-15-08 deadline): "especially welcomes applicants whose professional work makes sophisticated use of interactive digital media technologies."
http://music.duke.edu/
UPDATE Acknowledgement snail-mailed
Materials have been requested.


NY - Brooklyn College (CUNY) (11-17-08 deadline): electro-acoustic
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/pub/Department_Details.jsp?div=U&dept_code=64&dept_id=80

Ithaca College

New York University 2 positions: one in composition and one in film scoring. Review of applications begins on December 1.

AB (Can) - University of Alberta 10-15-08 deadline)
http://www.careers.ualberta.ca/Academic/CompetitionDetails.aspx?key=3401

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I am a theorist / my degree is in theory: 7
I am a composer / my degree is in composition: 7
I am a composer/theorist: 2

I am looking to leave my current TT position: 4
I am looking to leave my current VAP/Lecturer position:
The continuation of my VAP/Lecturer position is in doubt: 2
I am a new PhD in my first year on the market: 6
I am returning to the job market after a hiatus from academia: 1 (oy!)
I am currently an adjunct and have been living in the dark because I cannot pay my electric bill: 1
I am in my fourth year in a TT position and I still cannot pay all my bills: 1
I'll challenge anyone here to a fist fight (winner gets to apply to all the jobs): 1

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Snazzy new look to the wiki; I like it!

Does anyone know anything about the Chair of Musical Skills job at Curtis? The job was posted with a deadline of 11/1/08, and has since disappeared from the MVL. Did they hire from within?

No news yet.

There is an internal candidate.

Wow... three jobs at Oberlin? Was there an exodus? Oberlin has had constant turn-over in both composition and theory lines since at least the early 1990's. It's a great school, but clearly something's not right there. Good luck!
At Oberlin, they don't seem to know who they are; they're a u-grad only conservatory with 600 students (the course load is 5/5), but they expect the scholarship of a research university professor. There also seems to be some serious discrimination going on based on who's gotten tenure and who hasn't (I'll leave it at that!)
Do they seriously expect a 5/5 teaching load from TT faculty? That's ridiculous - you'd be better off with an NTT position with a 4/4 load. Has anyone shot them an email to inquire as to whether this teaching burden is typical?Could it be we're looking at the conservatory model - treating their profs as full-time adjuncts whether paid that way or not.
Do not waste your time applying for this position.
Sage advice, do NOT apply.
It's ok, I'll delete it myself. My point was more that having 5 preps isn't all that uncommon, and having an employer who still expects a research agenda is also not so uncommon. In addition, it doesn't strike me that teaching five courses is really that big a deal, as I've been doing it for years. It's true I spend 40 hours a week on campus, unlike many of my old friends from grad. school, but then again at least I have a campus to go to, as a number of my friends who thought of themselves as "too good" for a job ended up out of academia entirely. Not really trying to be overly obnoxious, it just bothers me to see complaints about a job being too much work when in fact it is a very manageable thing.
["profoundly obnoxious" comment restored in the interest of the free exchange of ideas, albeit with strikethrough]
(profoundly obnoxious AND not close to accurate. I'm at a non-research I institution and my load is 3/3.)
It is a fact, that Oberlin has a history of discrimination, especially in the Music Theory Department. I am happy to teach 5/5, but if there is discrimination going on, forget it!
For what it is worth, I have a 3/3 at an UG teaching-centered SLAC (non-research basically).
The problem with the 5/5 load is that Oberlin expects research of a similar quality as if the candidate is at a major research institution and is teaching a 2/2 load. There simply is not enough time in the day to teach a 5/5 load and to produce creative scholarship simultaneously.
As someone wrote last year: "They also were pretty classless in evidently canceling a search, if the above report is true, and not telling anyone. (I made the cut and never heard anything.)" This is just ONE example of how Oberlin works. I am telling all of you, STAY AWAY. They have SERIOUS issues of discrimination going on. BE WARNED! And if someone from Oberlin reads this, perhaps they should comment. Why is it that so many positions are available? What's going on?
I'm at Oberlin -the teaching load is 2 preps a semester. I'm guessing that the 5/5 comment comes from a load that is four sections of aural skills (the same lesson plan in each section) and one section of music theory. Typical loads are all two preps: either 3 sections of theory (e.g. 2 sections of MT3, 1 section of MT4), 2 sections of theory and 2 of skills (2 of MT2 and 2 of AS4), one section of theory and four of skills (Intro to Schenker and 4 sections of AS3 - my current schedule) or 6 sections of aural skills (e.g. 4 of AS4 and 2 or AS2). At times, I've seen someone with a three-prep load, but they have a lot fewer contact hours (1 section AS1, 1 section AS3, 2 sections AS4). AS classes are capped at 15 and meet twice a week; MT classes are capped at 20 and meet 3 times a week. Upper division classes meet for 150 minutes a week.
As for the discrimination, I can only offer my own experience. I'm the only non-white academic in the conservatory. I'm a woman. I feel supported and am having a good experience.
The research expectations are high, as are the standards for teaching excellence. This can create stress for all untenured folk.
Mass exodus? Not really - people have left for all sorts of reasons including a double-academic couple leaving for dual jobs. Six people have left in six years and we have 12 lines. It is a lot of turnover, which is why we always seem to be hiring.
I'm very happy to discuss my experiences with anyone. I'm not on the search committee. Jan.Miyake@oberlin.edu. I apologize if I've mishandled an anonymity aspect of the wiki.
With all due respect to Ms. Miyake, there have been numerous people who have left Oberlin, not by choice, because of very high levels of dysfunction in both the theory and composition departments.
Both of the two possible reasons for her presence on this wiki would seem to call attention to a disingenuous response.
Prof. Miyake: Perhaps you should list the other reasons why the other (5 or 4?) people left ... maybe you do not know. But telling us that a "couple" left for "dual jobs" does not paint a complete picture here.
OK guys, we get it. This is getting a little out of hand. Potential interviewees can just inquire further if need be.
Miyake wrote "This is getting out of hand". There is a bit of irony here. When one is discriminated against you keep thinking "this is getting out of hand" yet there is nothing you can do. Face it, discrimination exists even at Oberlin.
No, Miyake did not write that. I did. Like I said (and you just confirmed): out of hand.

I'm not at Oberlin, nor am I in any way affiliated with the school, but I agree this has gone way out of hand. Perhaps those who are concerned should wait until they have an offer or at least an interview before worrying about something other than getting short-listed.



Does anyone else teach 7 classes per semester (5 preps)?

Where is the notice for the Northwestern position? I can't even find it on NU's main page... It was posted on SMT-announce a few days ago.

Any ideas as to why Trinity College would hold preliminary interviews at the CMS conference on 9/27 when the application deadline is 11/01? (Preliminary interviews aren't anything official. Presumably, one could meet with that person and decide if they want to apply based on that interview. They won't pick their semifinalists from that interview, although someone certainly could make a good impression.)Who actually goes to the CMS conference besides administrators anyhow? It seems like a strange place to hold preliminary interviews.

Many students and professors attend CMS/ATMI meetings. (And they far outnumber administrators; perhaps you're thinking of NASM?) CMS serves as an umbrella organization, bringing together scholars from various disciplines to share their research while finding common ground (the teaching of college-level music students). I've learned just as much at any national CMS conference as I have at SMT, and made just as many friends there, too!

Q. Apparently interviews are also being held at the AMS/SMT conference. How does this bode for those who cannot afford to go but have an otherwise strong application?

Q: Regards the Wellesley job. Last year's wiki said a job offer was made to a "senior ethnomusicology candidate - awaiting tenure review for official announcement" did this fall through and we're now seeing another job or are we seeing a faux-listing? Anyone know the story?
Well, the job listing is on CMS, so it's a real job, no doubt. I noticed that there are no new senior faculty on the school's site. Perhaps they haven't updated it, or perhaps the appointment did fall through. Any insights?
They made an offer that was accepted and then later rejected. Don't know to whom.
DON'T BOTHER APPLYING. This job is fixed - inside folks on VAP are going to get hired - the search is to satisfy govt requirement.
Well they do have 2 VAPs from Harvard there right now which might indicate some funny business but both are doctoral candidates. I think that it is impossible to say that the search is rigged without knowing how close to graduating the VAPs are. If it is a fake search, why bother holding conference interviews at all?
Word is they're going to split the job between the two VAPs.
Split the job between the 2 VAPs? This idea doesn't make any sense at all. It would mean that the department would need to open up 2 lines since it is a TT position. Also the department isn't big enough to support two composers. It is likely that they will hire someone from an Ivy, and it may be one of the current VAPs, but the idea that they will hire both seems a bit far fetched.
I know of at least 4 departments that have split a single TT job between 2 people, in all cases a married couple, which is what this case is - it doesn't count as two jobs - only one and they split the duties and the salary but give benefits to both - it's not bad because it keeps someone there without their wanting to leave because of their spouse getting a job elsewhere - I don't think their ABD status matters - I heard it from someone in the know that this hire is already decided.

To the bottom-feeder: you might re-think what you put on this website. Any faculty member from the Wellesley music department could read what you've written and easily figure out who you are. It may be that this search is "decided," but it might also be the case that they are truly interested in your application. Even if the job has been decided, moreover, there is no guarantee that the people to whom they offer the job will accept the job. They could, for instance, get a competing offer elsewhere. Good luck with your job search.

Q: Does anyone know what's going on there? This is the third or fourth year in a row the position has been posted. Is it bad luck or are there problems there?
A: As far as I know, it's a budget problem. They offer the position every year, but funding falls through before they can make a hire. The state of Florida has been in a financial mess for several years now.