"Professor of Practice - Piano Technology - (494908 )"

Job Details

Department: Moores School of Music

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Description:

The Moores School of Music at the University of Houston seeks candidates for a non-tenure track Professor of Practice in Piano Technology, with an appointment beginning in the fall of 2025. This role is designed for a highly qualified practitioner with a significant record of professional experience and teaching excellence at the university level. The successful candidate will serve as the lead piano technician for the Moores School of Music and oversee all operations of the Piano Technology program.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the tuning, regulation, voicing and maintenance on the School of Music pianos. (Roughly 200 instruments)
• Meet with artists prior to concerts to perform piano selections and ensure instruments meet artist needs.
• Ensure special extra attention is paid to the School of Music Concert Instrument fleet to ensure exceptional playability and function. (12 – 9’ concert grands, 3 – semi concert grands)
• Coordinate the moving and storage of all large school of music instruments (Harps, Pianos, Organs, etc.)
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the piano technical staff, apprentice technicians and work-study students to fulfill the daily requests for maintenance and use of instruments.
• Work with applied faculty to help coordinate care of non-keyboard instruments as needed/requested.
• Set the restoration shop goals, quotas, and end-product goals and ensure a proper workflow balance for the restoration center.
• Recruit and train top-tier students in the field of piano technology to meet and exceed industry set standards.
• Maintain working relationships with major piano manufacturers, parts suppliers, and dealers.
• Advise on the replacement, procurement, and restoration of new and existing inventory for instruments.
• Perform routine maintenance & tuning on school of music pipe organs and historic instruments
• Lecture on topics related to keyboard technology to School of Music students and faculty.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in related field preferred
• Min 5 years of experience in a concert setting or university.
• RPT Certification and/or training from a recognized piano technology program
• Extensive working knowledge of voicing and regulation standards
• Proven excellence in piano technology
• Demonstratable leadership abilities
• Outstanding communication skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and ability to adapt to new technologies
• Flexibility for Change

Applicants for the position are expected to exhibit the following core values and competencies:

• Passion, energy, equanimity and tenacity.
• Integrity, innovation and collegiality in all work.
• An ability to attract resources, including grants or other external sources of support that advance the school’s mission.
• An aptitude for building dynamic degree programs and recruiting top-tier students.
• An ability to find creative solutions to difficult problems.

The Moores School of Music faculty are also committed to:

• Excellence in the arts, arts education and arts scholarship.
• Fostering student growth and success, both in the short term and in career trajectories.
• Collaboration with others, both within and across disciplines.

Application

Applicants will submit the following electronically: 1) cover letter; 2) CV; 3) list of at least three professional references. Additional materials may be requested later. Candidates should be prepared to submit a teaching video URL upon request.

Review of applications will begin now and continue until the position has been filled. If you have questions, contact Search Committee Chair, Brian Chin, bkchin@Central.UH.EDU.

Salary

Salary and benefits package is competitive and commensurate with credentials. Initial appointment is three (3) years, after which the faculty member is eligible for reappointment.

Starting Date

Fall 2025

About Moores School of Music

The University of Houston’s Moores School of Music (MSM) is one of the leading comprehensive music schools in the nation. Its remarkable faculty of internationally recognized performers, composers, and scholars, outstanding student body, modern facilities, and broad range of programs make MSM the natural choice for around 500 students annually. The school’s commitment to academic excellence and the highest performance standards has ensured its role as a vital resource in the educational and cultural life of Houston and beyond. The University of Houston is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and is a member of Texas Association of Music Schools.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One research university, the leading public research university in Houston, and the third-largest university in Texas. In 2022, UH enrolled more than 47,000 students in 279 undergraduate and graduate academic programs. UH awards more than 11,000 degrees annually and has more than 360,000 alumni. The City of Houston, Texas is the fourth-largest city and one of America’s great arts destination cities for the twenty-first century.

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidates.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individuals conducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e., communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and/or water treatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure the security and integrity of the research is maintained.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.