Assistant Professor of Music - Piano
Music
Position Overview
The University of Kansas School of Music is seeking highly qualified applicants for a full-time, academic year (nine month), tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Piano position to begin Fall 2024. KU piano is one of the fastest-growing piano programs in the country, with a proven record in student excellence and educational innovation.
Primary responsibilities of this position including teaching applied piano lessons at the undergraduate and graduate level, along with related courses including but not limited to piano repertoire courses, doctoral seminars in performance and pedagogy, and supervising and editing doctoral projects, recitals, and related activities.
Additional responsibilities include recruiting students and maintaining a full piano studio as well as sustaining artistic distinction with faculty colleagues and students in regional, national, and international activities. The faculty member will also be engaged in recruiting students in performance and pedagogy; serve on graduate and faculty committees; performing as a soloist and collaboratively with members of the KU School of Music faculty; and establishing a research/creative agenda reflective of artistic growth and expanding a high-level reputation in the field.
Faculty members joining the KU School of Music will have numerous opportunities for collaboration and be welcomed into a culture of growth and development. Professors in the KU Piano area maintain a national and international teaching presence, and mentor student performances and presentations in festivals, competitions, and at conferences.
The University of Kansas is especially interested in hiring faculty members who can contribute to the climate of diversity in the School of Music including a diversity of scholarly artistic approaches. In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the university actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education.
KU offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, generous leave programs, and tuition assistance for eligible employees and their dependents. For more information visit
https://newhires.ku.edu/. Candidates must have valid work authorization at the time of hire.
Job Description
Teaching – 40%
Specific course assignments and locations are assigned at the discretion of the coordinator of your area, in consultation with you. You are expected to have established, posted office hours of at least two hours per week and be available to meet with students by appointment.
Research/Creative Work – 40%
It is an expectation of your position that you engage in a program of creativity activity/research and share your work with colleagues and/or the public at large, through publication or other activities as detailed in your department or program’s faculty evaluation plan and promotion and tenure policy.
Service – 20%
It is an expectation of your position that you fulfill your share of service duties needed to facilitate the efficient operation of your department or program, and the University, as well as serve in regional, national, and/or international activities of your discipline. Activities that foster effective relationships with alumni and other constituencies may also constitute service.
Required Qualifications
- Doctoral Degree in Music OR a Master's degree in music with three years of professional performance experience.
- Demonstrated record of productive teaching experience at the collegiate or equivalent level.
- Previous experience recruiting students.
Contact Information to Applicants
Scott McBride Smith
Search Chair
smcbsmith@ku.edu
Additional Candidate Instruction
For additional information and to apply, go to
https://employment.ku.edu/academic/26652BR. A complete application will include the following items: (1) a letter of interest; (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a 1-2 page statement discussing personal teaching philosophy within a comprehensive university school of music, including objectives and means of achieving those objectives; (4) the contact information (e-mail and telephone) for 3 reference who can be contacted for recommendation; and (5) internet links to video recordings of recent live performances containing at least two pieces in contrasting styles; and a teaching video showing the applicant working with one private student. Other materials upon request only.
In addition, because learning about each candidate's engagement in areas of diversity is an important part of KU's mission, applicants will be presented the following question at the time of application:
- Describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds, and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Applicants may be asked to submit other items during the interview process.
Initial application review begins January 12, 2024. and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is received. Priority consideration given to applications received by the initial review date above.
