Assistant Professor of Practice - Aural Skills/Music Theory

Department: School of Music

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on-site at Western Carolina Universitys 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

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.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

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:

1. Letter of Application/Cover Letter addressing how the candidates qualifications align with the responsibilities of the position.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. 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.
4. List of three professional references with full contact information (address, phone, and email)
5. Unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the masters 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@wcu.edu.

*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 masters degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The masters degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.