Assistant Professor, Composition

University of Southern California

Flora L. Thornton School of Music

Division of Classical Music Performance and Composition

Department of Composition

Assistant Professor, Composition

The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music invites applicants for the full-time position of Assistant Professor, Composition. The position is tenure-track and the appointment begins August 2021.

Combining the benefits of a world-class conservatory and a leading research university, the USC Thornton School of Music offers students the opportunity to pursue a thorough music education in a real-world context. The new educational model, launching in Fall 2019 for undergraduates in the Classical Performance & Composition Division, renews Thornton’s commitment to a virtuosic education and asks students to reimagine what it means to be a classical musician in the 21st century. Thornton offers students a full range of musical disciplines across a demanding innovative curriculum, and the opportunity to work with a faculty of national and international renown.

The student body at USC is extraordinarily diverse: it is racially and ethnically a majority/minority population with a full range of expressions of gender, ability and sexual identities which we embrace as a source of institutional strength and community pride. The University’s commitment to building an academic environment hospitable to this wide range of diversity is full and complete. To that end, we are seeking to create as diverse a pool of candidates as possible, one which reflects the broad diversity of identities and experiences that comprise the country as well as the field of Composition.

The USC Thornton Composition Program is one of the world’s most acclaimed programs of its kind.  Taught by stellar faculty, our composition students are among the finest, win numerous awards, and have abundant opportunities to hear their work performed.  The primary goal of the program is the artistic and technical development of aspiring composers through challenging and inspiring courses and extensive individual mentoring.

We seek a creative artist-teacher with a strongly emerging career whose work broadens and challenges the field, and who may build connections between disparate musical communities.

Duties

Principal duties will include: teaching courses and individual instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels in all areas of composition and allied fields, depending upon specific expertise; providing student mentoring related to music composition; maintaining creative/performance activity of regional, national and international impact; serving on School and University committees and participating in department and faculty forums.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a masters degree, doctoral degree, or commensurate experience in Music Composition or closely related field. Successful applicants will be expected to have a demonstrated record of experience and accomplishment working in a highly diverse environment and of promoting equity and inclusion in the work that they do and in their approach to the profession. The successful candidate will have a strongly emerging career whose work broadens and challenges the field, and who may build connections between disparate musical communities. Additionally, we value candidates who have a demonstrated interest in teaching at the college level and possess the ability to attract students of the highest caliber in recruitment efforts.

Applying

Interested candidates must apply through the USC online system. Candidates are asked to provide:

• a letter of application
• curriculum vitae
• a list of three references

Please note: materials will not be returned.

Review of applications will begin in January 2021 and the position will remain open until filled.

USC values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.  Members of all racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.

*********************************

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.  USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.  We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.