School of Music-Academic Leadership Appointments (Tenured Positions)

Academic Positions opened for recruitment

Academic leadership in the following areas are needed in the newly established School of Music:

1. Piano Studies
2. Vocal Studies
3. Strings
4. Woodwinds
5. Brass
6. Academic Studies

Who We Are

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) was established in 2014 in accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-foreign Cooperation in Running Schools upon approval of the Ministry of Education. It inherits the educational philosophy and academic systems of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and is committed to nurturing high-end talents with a global perspective, Chinese tradition, and social responsibility. It offers 4-year undergraduate programmes plus postgraduate studies at both master's and doctorate levels.  Currently, with over 7000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, CUHK-Shenzhen offers programmes in science, engineering, management and economics, humanities and social science, life and health science, data science, and medicine (from 2021 onwards). Most of the courses in CUHK SZ are taught in English.

With the strong support of the Shenzhen Government, CUHK-Shenzhen was given the responsibility to plan and establish the Shenzhen Conservatory of Music, initially as a School of the University, which expects to recruit the first batch of undergraduate students in 2021. The School of Music has 4 Streams namely Composition, Musicology, Performance and Dance.  Recruitment for the 2021 cohort will begin with the Performance Stream with majors in Piano, Strings, Woodwinds, Brass and Voice. Other majors in Performance (Conducting, Chinese Music, Musical Theatre) and the other three Streams will commence later in 2023 and 2024. A purposely-built campus is planned for completion by end of 2024.

Where is Shenzhen  

Bordering Hong Kong in the south by a river, Shenzhen was established as a Special Economic Zone in 1980. After years of hard work and with the influx of talents, Shenzhen is now well-known as a global technology hub and is dubbed by the media as the China Silicon Valley. In 2019, Shenzhen was ranked 14th in the Global Financial Centres Index and boasts the third busiest container port in the world. With the actual administrative population close to 20 million spreading over 9 Districts, its GDP surpassed Hong Kong in 2018 mounting to 2.42 trillion RMB. It has been ranked second on the list "Top 10 cities to visit in 2019" by Lonely Planet

Culturally, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra was established in 1982 and regularly performs in the Shenzhen Concert Hall, Shenzhen Grand Theatre and Shenzhen Poly Theatre. In late 2018, the Government announced a plan of its Ten Major Cultural Constructions which includes several museums, an opera house and the CUHK-Shenzhen School of Music (the Shenzhen Conservatory of Music).

Job Description

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen is looking for candidates to take up academic leadership in various disciplines for its newly-established School of Music. They will lead an international teaching team to provide the highest level of teaching and professional practices in the designated disciplines. They are expected to work under the Dean to establish the School as one of the top music institutes internationally meanwhile creating a strong impact in the southern part of China in particular the Greater Bay Area.

A. Academic Leader in Piano Studies

1. set up the area of Piano Studies and develop the teaching content following the approved syllabus from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
2. lead and coordinate all full-time and part-time teachers from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
3. network regional and international community for the promotion of the area and the preparation for the professional development of graduates;
4. plan and supervise activities such as concert performances and outreach programmes regionally and internationally.
5. oversee the areas of organ and harpsichord studies.

B. Academic Leader in Vocal Studies

1. set up the area of Vocal Studies with a concentration in classical singing styles including opera and musical theatre genres, and develop the teaching materials following the approved syllabus from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
2. lead and coordinate all full-time and part-time teachers from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
3. network regional and international community for the promotion of the area and the preparation for professional development of graduates;
4. plan and supervise activities such as concert performances and outreach programmes regionally and internationally.

C. Academic Leader in Strings

1. set up the area of Strings and develop the teaching materials following the approved syllabus from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
2. lead and coordinate all full-time and part-time teachers from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
3. network regional and international community for the promotion of the area and the preparation for the professional development of graduates;
4. plan and supervise activities such as concert performances and outreach programmes regionally and internationally.
5. supervise the training and performing of the School Orchestra.

D. Academic Leader in Woodwinds

1. set up the area of Woodwinds and develop the teaching materials following the approved syllabus from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
2. lead and coordinate all full-time and part-time teachers from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
3. network regional and international community for the promotion of the area and the preparation for the professional development of graduates;
4. plan and supervise activities such as concert performances and outreach programmes regionally and internationally.
5. supervise the training and performing of the School Wind Orchestra.

E. Academic Leader in Brass

1. set up the area and develop the teaching materials following the approved syllabus from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
2. lead and coordinate all full-time and part-time teachers from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
3. network regional and international community for the promotion of the area and the preparation for professional development of graduates;
4. plan and supervise activities such as concert performances and outreach programmes regionally and internationally.
5. supervise the training and performing of the School Wind Orchestra.

F. Academic Leader in Academic Studies

1. set up the area of Academic Studies and develop the teaching materials of academic courses including history, theory and other non-performing and non-composition courses following the approved syllabus from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
2. lead and coordinate all full-time and part-time teachers from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
3. network regional and international community for the promotion of the area and the preparation for professional development of graduates;
4. plan and supervise academic activities such as conferences, symposiums and related outreach programmes regionally and internationally.

Qualification Requirements

1. high international standing with a global vision and academic connections, management and administration experience in tertiary music institutes, well-recognized performance, and innovation, willingness to relocate to Shenzhen full time.
2. The successful candidates for Positions A-E will demonstrate a high level of artistry in his/her own performance of classical musical genres. The successful candidate of Position F should be an international scholar and/or researcher in an academic area in music.
3. These academic leaders will be appointed as a tenured professor.

Salary & Benefits

Salary will be highly competitive and commensurate with experience and accomplishments. Appointments will be made under the establishment of CUHK-Shenzhen, and employee benefits will be provided according to the relevant labor laws of Mainland China as well as CUHK-Shenzhen regulations. Subsidies from various government-sponsored talent programmes will also be made available for eligible candidates.

To apply

Please submit a current CV and a cover letter that specifically addresses how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications and responsibilities of the position addressing to the Planning Office for School of Music at psmrecruit@cuhk.edu.cn.  All submissions will be kept in strict confidence.   

The position will remain open until filled.