"Assistant Professor of Percussion / UMKC Conservatory / Music Division"

Assistant Professor of Percussion / UMKC Conservatory / Music Division

Company: University of Missouri - Kansas City

Job Location: Kansas City

Category: Music

Type: Full-Time

Hiring Department

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

CONSERVATORY

Music Division/Percussion

The UMKC Conservatory is a vibrant community of artists, educators, and scholars located in the heart of Kansas City's thriving arts corridor. Committed to fostering excellence, innovation, and equity, the Conservatory prepares students to become leading performers, educators, conductors, and scholar-artists. As part of an R-1 public research university, the Conservatory offers exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and global impact. https://conservatory.umkc.edu/

We seek candidates who:

• help build the future of performance, education and research in the performing arts;
• demonstrate a growth mindset, with an understanding that learning is an ongoing process;
• believe that art has the power to help us understand ourselves, each other, and our culture while empowering us to move that culture forward;
• engage in work that appeals to, and positively impacts, the global population;
• adapt to the opportunities in their regions, and work within frameworks that embrace transdisciplinary possibilities.

Job Description

The UMKC Conservatory invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in Percussion at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning in Fall 2026. We are seeking a multifaceted artist, pedagogue, and scholar with documented achievements in teaching, and performing. The ideal candidate will maintain an activity profile that includes accomplishments across all these areas and will collaborate with colleagues to promote a vision that enriches the training and growth of percussion students.

Primary Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate applied percussion.
• Teach coursework in areas of interest and specialty as needed, including literature, pedagogy, chamber music, and percussion ensemble.
• Teach coursework for the Conservatory at-large as needed and deemed appropriate.
• Maintain a professional profile that reflects the career of a distinguished teacher/performer.
• Contribute to the enhancement of all facets of the Performance Division, including chamber music and large ensembles.
• Maintain an active agenda of creative activity, including publications, presentations, and/or performances at the regional, national, and international levels.
• Curate, maintain, and oversee the UMKC Percussion Inventory.
• Engage in a variety of service activities including committees, outreach, and community partnerships.
• Engage in recruitment activities including a possible percussion summer camp.
• Collaborate with faculty across the Conservatory providing interdisciplinary experiences that train students in an integrated artist-scholar framework.

Qualifications

• DMA in Percussion (ABD considered if completed by the time of appointment).
• Professional experience as a performer at the national/international level.
• Evidence of successful teaching experience, preferably at the University level.
• Demonstrated potential for ongoing research and scholarly productivity.
• Excellent musicianship and artistry applicable to classroom and performance settings.
• Active involvement in professional organizations, especially PASIC, with long-term potential for leadership.
• Organizational and interpersonal skills necessary for success in higher education.
• Previous artistic leadership, collaboration, and community engagement through performance or educational initiatives.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience and evidence of success in scholarly productivity/performance acclaims. This is a 9-month, benefit-eligible, full-time (1.0) faculty appointment eligible for tenure and promotion.

Application Materials

For consideration, you must apply online at www.umkc.edu/jobs, click in Academic Positions (Job Opening ID 57077).

Applicants should submit the following materials:

• A one-page cover letter that explains how this position aligns with your professional goals and values, including:
  • Your commitment to community-engaged, practitioner-based music-making, and how this shapes your approach to teaching and performing.
  • How this position would support the continued development of your teaching and performance agenda.
  • Your approach to engaging varied populations through work that is artistically meaningful, educationally impactful, and socially relevant.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact information for at least three professional references.
• Links to representative scholarly and/or artistic work.

Please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as your resume attachments. Limit document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.).

If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.

For questions about the position, please contact umkcfacultysearch@umkc.edu including the Job Identification number 57077 and name of the position.

Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity and Title IX at (816) 235-1323.

Higher education transcripts are required for candidates advancing as finalists. Candidates will receive prior notification if references will be contacted. A successful criminal background check is mandatory for employment.

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin October 1st and continue until a qualified candidate is hired.