Assistant Professor of Practice - Aural Skills​/Music Theory

Assistant Professor of Practice - Aural Skills/Music Theory - #001831

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include the following:

• Letter of Application/Cover Letter addressing how the candidate’s qualifications align with the responsibilities of the position.
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy – Candidates should submit a written statement describing their teaching philosophy and their approach to supporting student learning and success for students studying music at a regional, comprehensive university.
• List of three professional references with full contact information (address, phone, and email).
• Unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master’s degree level and higher*.

Additional materials may be requested at a later stage of the search process.

For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Leonidas Lagrimas, search committee chair, at llagrimas
.

* All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master’s degree transcript, if you hold such a degree.

The master’s degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.

The primary location of this position is on-site at Western Carolina University’s Cullowhee, NC campus.

The Western Carolina University School of Music invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, fixed-term Assistant Professor of Practice appointment in Aural Skills and Music Theory. Anticipated begin date is August 1, 2026.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong expertise and experience in music theory and analysis, aural skills pedagogy, as well as the ability to engage students with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences through inclusive teaching practices and a wide variety of theoretical approaches and musical repertoire, including commercial and popular styles. The candidate must also demonstrate a commitment to a collegial, collaborative working environment.

Primary teaching responsibilities include instruction within the required undergraduate theory and musicianship sequence in the context of music education, commercial music, and performance degrees.

Successful candidates will work closely with colleagues and play an active role in student retention and academic support. All School of Music faculty participate in student recruitment activities and service responsibilities within the School of Music, the college, and the university, including advising student research projects, committee work, and other departmental duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in Music Theory, Music, or closely related field. ABD candidates will be considered, but the degree must be completed prior to the start of the Fall 2026 semester.
• Two years experience teaching undergraduate aural skills and/or music theory.
• Ability to work effectively with students and colleagues from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• A demonstrated commitment to preparing students for the contemporary demands of the evolving music profession.
• Keyboard proficiency in applied skills such as sight-reading, reading harmonic chord progressions, and score reading.

Per the details, Position Type:
Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week: 40

Number of Months Per Year: 9

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and…