American Association of Blacks in Higher Education
Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition
American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, Santa Clara, California, us, 95053
Position Title
Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition Position Type
Regular Salary Range
The salary range for this position is $83,771 to $93,107, depending on the successful candidate's years of teaching experience at the college level. Purpose
The department of Music at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit, Catholic university, seeks applicants for a full-time tenure-track position in Music Theory and Composition. SCU is a welcoming and inclusive community of teaching scholars whose work is grounded in the university's fundamental values. Those values, which include academic excellence, social justice and community engagement, are infused with a culture of care that defines our community-upholding the dignity of all. The university draws on the many resources of the greater Bay Area, including Silicon Valley, where we are located. This faculty member will maintain an active scholarly and artistic agenda as a composer, which may also include related areas of creative work and scholarship such as instrumental performance or scholarly publications in music theory or pedagogy. As a member of the music faculty, they will be responsible for coordinating our theory and composition curriculum in alignment with the department's ongoing curriculum revision. Areas of recent growth in the department include Jazz, Global Music, Music Production, and Film and Video Game Scoring. With roots in the European Classical tradition, but grounded in a global context and inclusive of popular music practice, our theory and musicianship programs share a common goal: to build essential skills, deepen musical understanding, and empower the creativity of our students. The culture of our program emphasizes activity-based, multi-sensory learning, and this faculty member will be empowered to further develop this pedagogy to meet the diverse needs of the 21st-century musician. Required Qualifications
Terminal degree in Music (Ph.D. or DMA) or a related field by appointment start date. Demonstrated potential for effective and inclusive teaching and mentoring of a diverse undergraduate student population. Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that promote access and academic success for all students. Responsibilities
Teaching
Teach lower- and upper-division courses in the major and university core curriculum, as assigned by the chair, including courses such as Music Theory, Beginning Composition, Applied Instruction in Composition, and newly designed courses within the specific areas of the candidate's expertise. SCU is on the quarter system and a typical load is two courses per quarter assuming active engagement with research or creative work. High-quality teaching is prioritized at SCU; therefore significant faculty-student interaction is expected. The university offers many different opportunities to develop teaching skills through Faculty Development, including regular lunchtime workshops on pedagogy, teaching and technology grants, communities of practice, teaching mentors, and a scholarship of teaching and learning faculty group. Research/Creative Work
Develop a program of research or creative work at SCU that will result in meeting the Music Department's established scholarship/creative standards. Each department has collectively created a document that outlines the standards for scholarship or creative work that lead to tenure and promotion in that department. SCU offers significant support to early career faculty in the development of their program of research or creative work. All new faculty will be assigned mentors, placed into a cohort learning community with other new faculty, and offered faculty retreats, workshops and numerous professional development opportunities to build their programs of research/creative work. Additionally, the incumbent may be eligible to be appointed as a Sinatra Assistant Professor during their probationary period, which carries additional salary and funding for research or creative activity. Service
Provide effective service to the Department of Music, the College of Arts and Sciences, the University and the profession through contributions other than teaching and scholarship, such as service on committees, participation in professional organizations and activities, leadership, and community service performed by virtue of professional expertise or association with the university, as appropriate to rank and experience. Required Documents
Cover letter specific to this particular opportunity, including a description of how the applicant's unique background could enhance teaching and research in the department. Current curriculum vitae Contact information for three professional references who can speak to the candidate's suitability for this position. External letters of recommendation will be requested for selected candidates after an initial evaluation is complete. Brief statement of teaching philosophy Samples of representative creative work in recorded or score form Deadline for Applications
November 10, 2025 Contact
Inquiries about this position can be emailed to music@scu.edu Equal Opportunity
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/. Title IX
Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation. Information about Title IX can be found at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix. Information about Section 504 and ADA Coordinator can be found at https://www.scu.edu/oae/, (408) 554-4109, oae@scu.edu. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Americans with Disabilities Act
Santa Clara University affirms its commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.
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Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition Position Type
Regular Salary Range
The salary range for this position is $83,771 to $93,107, depending on the successful candidate's years of teaching experience at the college level. Purpose
The department of Music at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit, Catholic university, seeks applicants for a full-time tenure-track position in Music Theory and Composition. SCU is a welcoming and inclusive community of teaching scholars whose work is grounded in the university's fundamental values. Those values, which include academic excellence, social justice and community engagement, are infused with a culture of care that defines our community-upholding the dignity of all. The university draws on the many resources of the greater Bay Area, including Silicon Valley, where we are located. This faculty member will maintain an active scholarly and artistic agenda as a composer, which may also include related areas of creative work and scholarship such as instrumental performance or scholarly publications in music theory or pedagogy. As a member of the music faculty, they will be responsible for coordinating our theory and composition curriculum in alignment with the department's ongoing curriculum revision. Areas of recent growth in the department include Jazz, Global Music, Music Production, and Film and Video Game Scoring. With roots in the European Classical tradition, but grounded in a global context and inclusive of popular music practice, our theory and musicianship programs share a common goal: to build essential skills, deepen musical understanding, and empower the creativity of our students. The culture of our program emphasizes activity-based, multi-sensory learning, and this faculty member will be empowered to further develop this pedagogy to meet the diverse needs of the 21st-century musician. Required Qualifications
Terminal degree in Music (Ph.D. or DMA) or a related field by appointment start date. Demonstrated potential for effective and inclusive teaching and mentoring of a diverse undergraduate student population. Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that promote access and academic success for all students. Responsibilities
Teaching
Teach lower- and upper-division courses in the major and university core curriculum, as assigned by the chair, including courses such as Music Theory, Beginning Composition, Applied Instruction in Composition, and newly designed courses within the specific areas of the candidate's expertise. SCU is on the quarter system and a typical load is two courses per quarter assuming active engagement with research or creative work. High-quality teaching is prioritized at SCU; therefore significant faculty-student interaction is expected. The university offers many different opportunities to develop teaching skills through Faculty Development, including regular lunchtime workshops on pedagogy, teaching and technology grants, communities of practice, teaching mentors, and a scholarship of teaching and learning faculty group. Research/Creative Work
Develop a program of research or creative work at SCU that will result in meeting the Music Department's established scholarship/creative standards. Each department has collectively created a document that outlines the standards for scholarship or creative work that lead to tenure and promotion in that department. SCU offers significant support to early career faculty in the development of their program of research or creative work. All new faculty will be assigned mentors, placed into a cohort learning community with other new faculty, and offered faculty retreats, workshops and numerous professional development opportunities to build their programs of research/creative work. Additionally, the incumbent may be eligible to be appointed as a Sinatra Assistant Professor during their probationary period, which carries additional salary and funding for research or creative activity. Service
Provide effective service to the Department of Music, the College of Arts and Sciences, the University and the profession through contributions other than teaching and scholarship, such as service on committees, participation in professional organizations and activities, leadership, and community service performed by virtue of professional expertise or association with the university, as appropriate to rank and experience. Required Documents
Cover letter specific to this particular opportunity, including a description of how the applicant's unique background could enhance teaching and research in the department. Current curriculum vitae Contact information for three professional references who can speak to the candidate's suitability for this position. External letters of recommendation will be requested for selected candidates after an initial evaluation is complete. Brief statement of teaching philosophy Samples of representative creative work in recorded or score form Deadline for Applications
November 10, 2025 Contact
Inquiries about this position can be emailed to music@scu.edu Equal Opportunity
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/. Title IX
Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation. Information about Title IX can be found at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix. Information about Section 504 and ADA Coordinator can be found at https://www.scu.edu/oae/, (408) 554-4109, oae@scu.edu. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Americans with Disabilities Act
Santa Clara University affirms its commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr