Assistant Professor – Music Theory – Tenure-Track

Western Michigan University invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor, Music Theory, for the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music in the College of Fine Arts. This position requires in-person instruction on the WMU Main campus in Kalamazoo Michigan. This is a tenure-track, academic year appointment (Fall/Spring). The anticipated start date is August 15, 2027.

Major Responsibilities:

• Teach undergraduate theory and aural skills courses as assigned.
• Teach upper-level and graduate seminars in areas of expertise.
• Coordinate staffing of music theory course sequence.
• Supervise graduate teaching assistants.
• Participate in the coordination and development of music theory curriculum.
• Other teaching duties as assigned.
• Attend departmental meetings and engage in service to the University as assigned.
• Research and creative scholarship appropriate to tenure-track position.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Music Theory from an accredited institution by the time of appointment.
• 1-year prior teaching experience in theory and aural skills as the instructor of record.
• A record of professional research and creative scholarship.
• Expertise with online platforms and related instructional technology.

Desired Qualifications

• Full-time teaching experience at the collegiate level.
• Expertise in an area outside of the Western European Classical Canon (e.g., Pop/Rock, Film, World Music).
• Familiarity with course and curricular assessment of Music Theory courses and programs.
• A vision for how a music theory curriculum should be adapted to the changing landscape of musical practices.

The University: Western Michigan University is a learner-centered, discovery-driven, and globally engaged public university that stands out among America’s more than 4,000 higher education institutions. Founded in 1903, WMU has grown to become a major national research university enrolling more than 16,000 students from across the United States and 100 other countries. Based in Kalamazoo, WMU is a friendly, top-rated college town situated close to large urban centers, great jobs, and abundant recreational areas. WMU delivers high-quality undergraduate instruction, has a strong graduate division, and fosters significant research activities. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has placed WMU among the 76 public R2 institutions in the nation designated as a doctoral university with higher research activities.

The College: The College of Fine Arts (CFA) consists of the Gwen Frostic School of Art, the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music, the School of Theatre and Dance, and the Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation which houses the Product Design and Interior Architecture and Design programs. All units in the College are nationally accredited. Facilities for the learning and practice of the arts at WMU are exceptional and compare favorably with other schools nationally with similar mission and scope. With a student body of about 1,322 the CFA entering class regularly has one of the highest academic profiles of any college.

The College of Fine Arts is housed in the Dalton Center, the Richmond Center for Visual Arts, South and Central Kohrman Halls, Dunbar Hall, and the Gilmore Theatre Complex all gathered around or near Fountain Plaza. Students perform in three theatres, a 400-seat recital hall, three professional art galleries, and dance performance studios mounting over 400 performances annually. New technology-based curricula, a motion capture and virtual imaging technology lab, specialized computer labs, and other discipline specific laboratories. State-of-the-art facilities host exhibitions of student, faculty, and visiting artist works.

The Irving S. Gilmore School of Music: The Western Michigan University Irving S. Gilmore School of Music is dedicated to the advancement of the musical arts through traditional study and performance, while promoting the development of new musical paths, which prepare students for an ever-changing profession. This all-Steinway School does this by serving local, state, national, and international communities through performance, educational and therapeutic applications, composition, research, and technological innovation.

Salary: Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, with an excellent benefits package.

Expected Start Date: August 15, 2027

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin January 11, 2027 and continue until the position is filled.

Required application documents:

• A letter describing qualifications, accomplishments, and professional experiences related to the position.
• A current CV that includes a list of qualifications, accomplishments, and professional experiences related to the position.
• A list of 3-5 references, including their names, titles, and contact information.

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.