MUSIC DEPARTMENT, Director of Piano Studies

Northwest Nazarene University

Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), a comprehensive Christian university, offers over 60 areas of study, 19 master’s degrees in seven different disciplines and one doctoral degree. In addition to its 90-acre campus located in Nampa, Idaho, the University also offers 26 online degree programs as well as courses at a regional campus in Idaho Falls. Founded in 1913, the university now serves over 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and more than 11,000 continuing education and concurrent credit students. NNU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities, and has been rated by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top master’s level universities in the West and a “Best Value” for delivering a high-quality education at a remarkably affordable price. The university’s location in the Boise valley provides a wealth of regional opportunities: easy access to local ski resorts, mountain hiking, and river rafting; and a wide array of cultural opportunities from the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra to the National Old-time Fiddlers Festival. NNU has a long and deep association with the Church of the Nazarene, and all University faculty commit themselves to living out their faith in a community shaped by serious scholarship and vital Christian piety.

The Music Department
NNU Department of Music offers degrees in Bachelor of Arts, Music Education, Applied Music Emphasis, Worship Ministry, and Music Industry. Music majors engage in a full complement of theory, history, methods and applied coursework. NNU students participate in a variety of ensembles and private study with faculty members and professional musicians from the Treasure Valley, including members of the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra which performs monthly on campus. The Department of Music also offers an iMac-based Center for Digital Media along with a recently renovated recording studio. On campus performances are held in our state-of-the-art Brandt Center’s 1500 seat hall along with intimate recital halls. Our ensembles perform frequently, traveling locally, throughout the Northwest, and internationally. NNU has a wonderful array of pianos in practice rooms and performing halls and is moving towards the completion of the All-Steinway School designation.    

Description of Position
The Director of Piano Studies is a full-time, nine-month tenure-track position. Teaching duties include applied piano, piano pedagogy, and accompanying to undergraduate students; additional teaching duties determined by needs of the department and candidate's strengths.

Position Responsibilities and Goals

• Teach applied piano and other piano related activities within the department.
• Engage in recruiting a quality studio of undergraduate pianists. 
• Develop relationships with local piano organizations to continue an active collaboration with the community.
• Oversee and help maintain a robust inventory of pianos throughout the NNU campus through coordination with the piano technician and the Chair of Music.
• Foster a thriving concert culture through organization of guest recitals and maintaining a national performance/research profile.
• Attend and adjudicate all end-of-semester keyboard juries. Track student progress from semester to semester, with regard to technique and repertoire.
• Teach other courses as needed for the music major based on candidate’s experience and strengths.

Northwest Nazarene University is sponsored by the Church of the Nazarene and seeks to reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the body of Christ in its faculty, staff administration and students. All those interested are encouraged to apply and will be evaluated equitably. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications
We seek a creative, passionate, dynamic, and inspiring teacher and colleague to join our faculty at NNU.  The successful applicant will have demonstrated performance and teaching experience along with the ability to recruit and build an outstanding studio.  The University requires that all candidates have a Christian perspective (preferably in the Wesleyan tradition), and must be comfortable with and in agreement with the mission and lifestyle values of NNU. 

• Required: Master’s degree in piano, collaborative piano, or piano pedagogy with evidence of professional experience.
• Preferred: DMA and at least five years of teaching experience in higher education; established performance profile, and evidence of establishing a robust studio.

Compensation
The salary and rank will be determined by the educational background and experience of each applicant and will be discussed with individual candidates as they are invited to interview for this position. Full-time personnel will be offered access to a benefits package including health, vision and dental insurance for employee and family, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending plan, tuition benefits for employee and dependents, opportunities for professional development, and a retirement program.