The posting
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Position Summary
The Penn State School of Music invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure line, renewable Assistant Teaching Professor of Music (Choral) beginning Fall 2027. We seek an inspiring new colleague who is committed to creative, inclusive, and expansive approaches to music performing, teaching, and learning. This appointment emphasizes excellence in teaching, conducting, and student mentorship within the School of Music’s outstanding comprehensive choral program.
The successful candidate will join a collaborative team of choral faculty and contribute to ensemble leadership, undergraduate instruction, and shared curricular responsibilities. The position is designed for a colleague who values student-centered teaching, multiple musical and pedagogical perspectives, and collegial program development. We encourage applications from candidates with multi-genre capabilities (e.g. jazz, contemporary commercial, and/or other diverse styles.)
Responsibilities
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Conducting assigned choral ensembles, likely Vocal Dimensions (jazz) and University Choir (SATB) with the possibility of additional ensembles aligning with the candidate’s expertise
- Teaching undergraduate courses in choral conducting and related areas (e.g., basic or intermediate conducting) or other courses that align with professional and research areas of expertise.
- Teaching undergraduate choral music education courses, such as choral methods or choral emphasis, as aligned with program needs and the candidate’s expertise
- Contributing to graduate instruction through periodic teaching of graduate choral literature or related seminars as part of a rotating, shared faculty model
- Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and supporting student success through inclusive and evidence-based teaching practices
- Participating actively in recruitment, outreach, and engagement activities that support vocal, choral, and all other programs in the School of Music
- Engaging in service activities that contribute to the School of Music, the College of Arts and Architecture, and the professional choral ecosystem at large
Teaching assignments may vary by semester to support balanced faculty loads and diverse student learning experiences. The standard teaching professor assignment is 3-4 courses/semester.
Required Qualifications
- Earned doctorate (DMA or PhD) in choral conducting, music education, or a closely related field by the start date, or an MM or MA plus equivalent professional experience appropriate to the rank
- Demonstrated effectiveness as a choral conductor and teacher at the secondary, collegiate, and/or professional level
- Evidence of strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching, mentorship, and student-centered learning
- Ability to work collaboratively within a diverse academic and artistic community
Preferred Qualifications
- Successful track record of preparing and presenting vocal jazz ensembles
- Experience teaching and/or performing in vernacular styles such as jazz or rock
- Documented success recruiting, retaining, and mentoring undergraduate students
- Experience with community engagement, outreach, or partnership-based choral initiatives
- Active engagement with professional organizations such as ACDA, NAfME or NATS
- Interest or experience teaching in complementary areas (e.g., studio voice instruction, music education, music technology, vocal pedagogy, or other topics aligned with the candidate’s strengths)
About the School of Music
The Penn State School of Music takes pride in its student-centered philosophy and the quality of the individualized instruction provided by its faculty. Enrolling approximately 250 majors, the school grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of programs that help students develop as performers, composers, teachers, and scholars. Nearly 5000 non-major students enroll in high-quality general education music courses each year.
Students of all majors at Penn State’s University Park campus can make music in ensembles ranging from three-person chamber music groups to the 310-member Blue Band. The School offers three jazz ensembles, four orchestras, five bands, and six choirs, along with genre-specific opportunities such as Opera Theatre, Other Arts new music ensemble, Essence of Joy choir, Rock Ensembles, Jazz Combos, and a wide variety of like-instrument ensembles such as Cello Choir and Trombone Choir. A fast-growing area of distinction is creative technology: film and video-game scoring, composition, live-sound production, immersive audio, and recording technology, complemented by Jazz and New Music festivals. Students may also pursue interdisciplinary study across music and the humanities, AI, perception and cognition, acoustics, and mathematics. The academic areas (music theory and musicology) and our storied music teacher preparation program are points of intense pride for the School.
As part of its educational mission, artistic vision, and outreach, the School of Music presents more than 400 concerts annually in venues including our award-winning 420-seat recital hall, the 2,500-seat Eisenhower Auditorium, Eisenhower Chapel at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, and the renovated Esber Rehearsal Hall. Penn State students and faculty publish, present research, and perform in top venues throughout the United States and around the world.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit the following materials within a single pdf.
- Cover letter (2 pages). Describe your interest in this position and provide specific examples of experience that align with the required and desired qualifications. Explain how your teaching, ensemble leadership, and musicianship prepare you to contribute to creative, inclusive, and student-centered choral learning in a comprehensive School of Music.
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of Creative and Scholarly Interests (1 page). Describe the core ideas, practices, and questions that shape your work as a conductor, musician, and educator. Explain how your personal musical practices and creative activity inform your approach to choral education. How will your range of skills support student learning and artistic development?
- Links to recent, representative video recordings of choral conducting (rehearsal and performance; total duration not to exceed 30 minutes)
- Names and contact information for three professional references
Review of applications will begin November 23, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
