Employment Opportunities

 

Posting Snapshot

The College of Music invites applications for an 1855 Professorship (open rank) with an emphasis on the Music of Black Communities. Based in Musicology, this distinguished position will build upon the College’s existing offerings in this area through teaching, scholarship, and the development of interdisciplinary initiatives and programming in the College, University, and public communities.

Position Overview

Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for the Michigan State 1855 Professorship in the College of Music. This distinguished position, created under the Office of the Provost’s initiative to advance Inclusive Excellence, seeks a visionary scholar whose work aligns with the DEI objectives of the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan. The ideal candidate will contribute to the College of Music’s mission by addressing systemic barriers and inequities through interdisciplinary research, teaching, and outreach.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Curriculum Development

• • Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses focusing on music from Black communities and related topics.
  • Design and implement innovative, inclusive curricula that integrate diverse perspectives across academic and performance areas, including musicology, jazz studies, music theory, music education, and choral music.
  • Cross-list new courses with programs both within and outside the College of Music to enhance interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

Research and Creative Activities

• • Conduct research that addresses systemic barriers and inequities in the music field, with a focus on historically marginalized and underserved communities.
  • Engage in creative activities that highlight and explore contributions from Black communities and other marginalized groups in music.
  • Foster interdisciplinary and cross-college collaborations, particularly with departments such as History, African and African American Studies, and Sociology.

Outreach and Engagement

• • Develop and maintain strong partnerships with community organizations, academic units, and stakeholders to promote music education and appreciation in historically underserved communities.
  • Organize and participate in community engaged program and activities that enhance the visibility and impact of research, creative endeavors, and teaching.

Collaborative Efforts

• • Contribute to interdisciplinary and cross-college initiatives that support integrative studies and collaborative coursework.

Inclusive Excellence

• • Actively support MSU’s commitment to advancing inclusive excellence by addressing systemic barriers and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all professional activities.
  • Provide mentorship and guidance for student organizations dedicated to the promotion of teaching and research in the music of Black communities.
  • Participate in university-wide DEI initiatives and contribute to creating a more equitable academic environment.

Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• • Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Musicology or a related field.

Experience

• • Demonstrated excellence in research, creative activities, and teaching with a focus on addressing systemic barriers and inequities.
  • Experience with interdisciplinary and cross-departmental collaboration is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• • Strong commitment to advancing inclusive excellence and tackling issues related to historically marginalized communities.
  • Ability to develop and teach innovative, cross-disciplinary courses and engage in impactful research.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills with a proven ability to work effectively with diverse groups of faculty, students, and community partners.

Application Instructions

To apply, please visit CAREERS @ MSU: https://careers.msu.edu/cw/en-us/listing/ and select posting #1003833.

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

• A cover letter outlining your qualifications, vision for the role, and how your work aligns with the 1855 Professorship goals.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV).
• A research statement detailing your research interests and how they address systemic barriers and inequities.
• A teaching statement describing your philosophy on inclusive pedagogy and your experience with interdisciplinary teaching.
• Contact information for at least three references who can provide letters of recommendation.

Application deadline:

• Review of materials will begin on January 13, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

This full-time, tenure-track assistant or associate professor appointment will begin in Fall 2025. The Choral Area at Michigan State University supports a range of knowledge seekers in undergraduate and graduate programs. It has a strong mission to create choral experiences for students across campus and in the greater Lansing community. We seek a creative, dynamic, collaborative colleague with successful teaching experience, demonstrated choral artistry, a robust and innovative scholarly profile, and leadership potential.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will teach courses in choral literature, conducting, lead an ensemble, and develop potential courses related to the candidate’s background and scholarly interests. This colleague will maintain and grow their national and/or international profile through creative artistry, research, and teaching activity. Mentoring choral conducting graduate students, including supporting scholarly work and serving on MM and DMA committees, is required. Additional duties include committee service, recruiting activities, and participation in the ongoing work of the choral area and college.

We seek a leader that will champion collaboration within the College of Music and in the community at large. This colleague will foster diversity in our student body and cultivate a positive environment where all students can thrive. We are looking for a colleague who will support the efforts of the Choral Area, College of Music, University, and beyond to advance choral music and expand the reach of those participating in the art of choral singing.

Required Qualifications:

• DMA in choral conducting or Ph.D. with choral emphasis or commensurate experience.
• Prior experience teaching in a university setting.
• Established and recognized status as a choral artist/teacher/scholar as demonstrated by creative activity, teaching excellence, and demonstrated scholarship.
• Evidence of a commitment to an inclusive and equitable approach to teaching and learning that supports a diverse student body.
• Conducting pedagogue with demonstrated success in the teaching of conducting and score study skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead vibrant collegiate choral ensembles that meet the needs of students within and outside the College of Music.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conceptualizing and teaching a systematic, inclusive, and innovative approach to choral literature, contributing to a 4-semester sequence of historical and contemporary global music.
• Record of mentoring a diverse cohort of graduate students and preparing them for the 21^st-century workplace in academic, professional, and community settings.
• Record of innovative programming, including music of historically marginalized composers and contemporary global music.
• Record of recruiting, retaining, and mentoring students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Application deadline:

Review of materials will begin on December 2, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.

To apply, please visit the MSU job postings website: https://careers.msu.edu/cw/en-us/listing/  and select posting #998536. Please provide (1) letter of application, (2) curriculum vita (including names of three references, and (3) links to choral rehearsal and performance footage, 10-12 minutes each, preferably in a YouTube format.