Assistant Professor, Division of Music, Piano: Jazz (9 Mo TT)

Samford University 
School of the Arts 
Division of Music 

Assistant Professor, Piano (Jazz)

(9-month, Tenure-Track) 

December 13, 2024

Samford University’s School of the Arts Division of Music invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian university environment to apply for the position of Assistant Professor of Piano, beginning August 2025. This tenure-track full-time faculty position is a 9-month appointment. 

The School of the Arts is a community of artists and designers working together in music, theatre and dance, art and design, architecture and interior design, and Christian ministry. The Division of Music, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1956, offers the following degrees: bachelor of music (instrumental, vocal, piano, and organ performance, music and worship, composition, piano performance and pedagogy), bachelor of music education (vocal-choral, instrumental), bachelor of arts (music, commercial music [including concentrations in music industry, music production, performance, and songwriting] and worship leadership [including concentrations in ministry, songwriting for worship, and worship production]), bachelor of science in music, master of music (church music, piano performance and pedagogy, vocal performance, instrumental performance), and master of music education.

For more information, see the Division of Music’s web page: https://www.samford.edu/arts/music/                                                          

Qualifications

Qualified candidates are required to hold a minimum of a master’s degree in piano performance, jazz studies, or related field from an institutionally accredited university (or equivalent). Candidates should demonstrate evidence of excellent teaching skills; stylistic fluency in jazz, with additional competencies in commercial, and/or worship music; expertise in piano, and extensive performance experience.

Responsibilities   

Responsibilities include teaching applied piano to undergraduate and graduate students, including both majors and elective students in programs ranging from piano pedagogy and performance to commercial music; maintaining national prominence as a teacher/performer; fulfilling teaching assignments in related areas and as assigned by the Chair of the Division of Music; maintaining creative/scholarly and service contributions as a faculty member; and actively recruiting students to the University. 

The primary teaching load will be in applied piano. This position may include additional teaching assignments based on candidate strengths and school needs, including, but not limited to, piano pedagogy courses, class piano, keyboard harmony, ensemble coaching/directing, collaborative performance, and other responsibilities related to keyboard studies, commercial music, and worship. A commitment to academic excellence in pedagogy and artistry is expected, along with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.

Application

Review of applications will begin January 6, 2024, and applications will be accepted until February 7, 2025. Please submit one PDF file comprising: a letter of interest; a complete curriculum vitae; links to no fewer than three video recordings of recent continuous live performances from the past year (additional materials may be requested by the committee, if needed); an application for faculty position, and a faculty applicant Christian mission statement.    

Salary is dependent upon academic qualifications, professional experience, and previous academic teaching experience. The successful candidate must pass a background check and applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as Samford will not sponsor any employment visas for this position.

“Application for Faculty Position” can be found at: (https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/Human_Resources/application-for-faculty-employment.pdf)

“Faculty Applicant Christian Mission Statement” can be found at: (https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/academic-affairs/Faculty-Applicant-Christian-Mission-Statement.docx).

Please submit all materials in PDF format to:

FACAPP@samford.edu

Subject: Piano Search  

For questions about the position contact:  

Dr. Cindy St. Clair, Chair  

Piano Search, School of the Arts, Division of Music  

Samford University  

Phone: 205-726-2501 

cbsander@samford.edu  

 About Samford University

Samford University (www.samford.edu) is a leading nationally ranked Christian University. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87^th oldest institution in the U.S. and the largest privately supported and fully accredited institution for higher learning in Alabama. Located in the Birmingham, Alabama, suburb of Homewood, with 425 full-time faculty and more than 6,100 students representing 45 states and 16 countries, Samford is ranked #2 in the nation for student character development and #8 in the nation for the quality of career preparation provided to students as listed in The Wall Street Journal (2025). The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting. The University seeks and prefers employee applicants of the Christian faith and offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package. Samford University and the School of the Arts embrace diversity in their faculty, students, and staff and encourage applications from those who would add to the diversity of our academic community.

In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University. As a faith-based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination.