Assistant Professor of Music Theory
Department of Music
College of Fine Arts and Communication
COFAC-4025
Towson University:
Towson University (TU) is one of the nation’s top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.
The Department:
The Department of Music serves a community of over 200 music majors and graduate students, as well as offering courses and performance opportunities to students specializing in other fields. Towson students engage in a range of rigorous scholarly, creative, and collaborative work that reflects a broad base of musical interests. Our students have the valuable opportunity to work with a music faculty including internationally recognized composers, performers, scholars, and public intellectuals who prioritize student achievement, scholarly skills, creativity, and community. The Department regularly hosts guest artists for masterclasses and guest lectures and has a long history of philanthropic support to sponsor the educational needs of its students. TU alumni are nationally and internationally renowned composers and performers, educators in PreK-12 and university settings, technological innovators, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators.
The Department offers three undergraduate degree programs for music majors: the Bachelor of Science in Music, the Bachelor of Music (classical performance, jazz/commercial performance, or composition), and the Bachelor of Science in Music Education. The Department also offers minors in general music, music industry, jazz/commercial performance, and music technology. Graduate degrees include the Master of Science in Music Education, the Master of Music, the Master of Music in Music Pedagogy, and the Graduate Certificate in Applied Music.
Position:
The College of Fine Arts and Communication invites applications for a tenure-track, nine-month, full-time Assistant Professor of Music Theory in the Department of Music. The primary responsibility of this position is teaching music theory and musicianship. The Department seeks a student-centered educator able to bring professional experience and innovation to the undergraduate theory curriculum. Preferred candidates will be conversant with a wide range of musical practices and traditions. The preferred start date is August 2027.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities of the position include 1) teaching undergraduate and graduate music theory and musicianship classes, with the possibility of contributing to the other areas of instruction based on candidate interest and experience; 2) maintaining a productive scholarly agenda consistent with Towson University’s reputation for excellence in interdisciplinary research; 3) contributing to the development of an innovative music curriculum; 4) demonstrating meaningful commitment to inclusive pedagogy and student engagement; 5) serving on department, college, and university committees; 6) participating in departmental recruitment activities; and 7) student advising.
Qualifications:
Applicants should hold a doctorate in music theory or a closely related field. ABD candidates will be considered but must have completed a doctoral degree prior to appointment. Candidates must demonstrate excellence in teaching theory and musicianship skills, a promising scholarly agenda, and capacity to serve the administrative needs of the Department of Music, the College of Fine Arts and Communication, and Towson University. Candidates with at least two years of university-level teaching experience are preferred.
Application Process:
Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications completed by November 15, 2026. All materials must be submitted online through the university's application portal. A complete application portfolio includes 1) a letter of application addressing the candidate’s qualifications for the position; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) a statement of teaching philosophy; 4) a statement of current and future scholarly research; 5) a recent video demonstration of classroom teaching; 6) three letters of recommendation; and 7) unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended (official transcripts will be required at time of hire).
Note: Towson University is conducting a search for an Assistant Professor of Composition. Applicants wishing to be considered for both positions must submit a separate application for each.
Enquiries should be addressed to the Theory Search Committee via email: musictheorysearch@towson.edu
Theory Search Committee via email: musictheorysearch@towson.edu
apply here: https://towson.taleo.net/careersection/fac_ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=260000QL
Benefits: TU offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent health, life and retirement plans; and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, click here for regular faculty/regular lecturer or here for contingent lecturer. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.
Background Check:
A criminal background investigation is required for the successful candidate, and results may affect employment.
COVID-19 Statement:
The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland (USM) has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up-to-date booster shots (when eligible) for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM as both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety