Assistant Professor, Vocal Performance

The Music Department of Columbia College Chicago seeks applicants for a full-time tenure-track or tenured faculty position in Vocal Performance beginning August 2022.

We are seeking an experienced professional with particular expertise in vocal performance who will contribute to the discipline in a wide variety of styles and practices through their expertise as an innovative creative artist-performer. The successful candidate will teach at the undergraduate and potentially graduate level; create, revise and supervise curriculum in their area; advise the department chair in the continued development and operations of the Music Department’s vocal music resources; and provide other departmental and college service as assigned. 

In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates must exhibit excellent teaching and scholarly credentials, maintain a performing career at the highest level, and be passionate about undergraduate and graduate education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have performance and/or teaching experience in the African, Asian, Latinx, or Indigenous Diasporas who can mentor and support the college’s highly diverse student body.

Columbia College Chicago’s Music Department focuses on contemporary, jazz, and popular music, and places afro-centric music at its core. Its progressive curriculum prepares students for diverse collaborative careers in the creation and performance of original songs, compositions and productions, inclusive of a broad range of styles, genres, and traditions.  At the undergraduate level the Music Department offers a BA degree in Music; a BMus degree in Contemporary, Jazz, and Popular Music; and a BMus in Composition and Production.

The School of Fine and Performing Arts (SFPA) houses academic programs in visual arts, performing arts, and business, entrepreneurship, and marketing. Home to more than 110 full-time faculty and over 3,000 students, the SFPA community is deeply committed to rigorous exploration of a wide range of artistic practices and economies, within an inclusive curriculum characterized by a strong focus on a diversity of contemporary styles and current industry trends. Across SFPA, we challenge the next generation of artists, scholars, managers, performers, designers, makers, and entrepreneurs to master the skills and interrogate the foundations of their creative disciplines; imagine new futures; and contribute to the vibrant arts communities of Chicago and beyond.
 
Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach at the undergraduate and, as appropriate, at the graduate level in areas assigned by the Department Chair.
• Engage with the broader scholarly and professional communities.
• Advise and mentor students.
• Contribute to the development, planning and implementation of a high-quality, inclusive curriculum consistent with the Columbia College Chicago commitment to equity and social justice.
• Commit to continuing professional development.
• Coordinate and supervise vocal faculty.
• Provide service to the college, profession and community.
• Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work aligns with our commitment to dismantling systems of privilege and oppression. All faculty members are expected to advance the College's DEI mission. For more information on the office of Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion please visit: colum.edu/diversity.

Required Qualifications

• An MA/MFA or DMA in contemporary vocal studies by the date of appointment.
• Experience with and evidence of commitment to the development of inclusive curriculum consistent with the Columbia College Chicago commitment to equity and social justice.
• Documented experience as an ensemble director; and
• At least 5 years of college/university teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate level, or equivalent. 

Desired Qualifications

• Working knowledge of current hardware and software used for digital music production as it relates to contemporary vocal studies;
• Knowledge of music theory, composition/song writing, and performance practice as they relate to contemporary vocal studies;
• An active record of creative practice at top national level demonstrating a broad expertise in contemporary styles, including Pop, Latin and Jazz; and
• Documented experience with Learning Management Systems and remote instruction;

Application
To apply for this position, submit the following materials online:

• A letter outlining the applicant’s background, qualifications, and vision for the position.
• A curriculum vitae.
• An Evidence of Inclusive Excellence Statement describing actions you have taken to support and advance diversity, equity, access and inclusion in service, teaching, or research/creative activity.  Please be succinct with your response.
• Contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior consultation with the applicant.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, apply by April 4, 2022.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

About the College

Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Located in downtown Chicago’s South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's most lively urban cultural areas. Its many competitive advantages include its strong reputation in the creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity with each other to shape new forms of creative practice.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.
• This is a non-union position.
• This position is overtime exempt.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.