Assistant Professor - Professional Practice, Contemporary & Commercial Music, Jazz, and Music Production

University of New Orleans•New Orleans, LA

10d

About The Position

The School of the Arts/Music Program at LSU New Orleans invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor, Professional Practice in Music. The successful candidate will be a versatile musician, educator, and creative practitioner whose work is rooted in the foundations of American music, with a strong understanding of jazz and Black American musical traditions and their influence on contemporary music. The position calls for expertise in areas such as performance, songwriting, film scoring, composition, arranging, recording, and audio engineering; knowledge of music technology, music business, and/or contemporary performance practice is highly desirable. The candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses based on the Music Program’s needs and the candidate’s expertise. Teaching may span improvisation, music history, film scoring, songwriting, theory, arranging, music production, recording and audio engineering, music technology, music business, and other contemporary music subjects. Additional work includes recruitment, course creation, audition reviews, community outreach, departmental performances and events, collaboration across the Music Program and School of the Arts, and support for unit administration. The candidate is expected to maintain an active professional, scholarly, or creative record appropriate to the position. The Music Program is developing a broader educational model connecting the historical foundations of jazz and Black American music with contemporary and commercial music, songwriting, composition, recording, production, technology, and the music industry. The successful candidate will support existing areas of study and help strengthen and expand the contemporary curriculum, while mentoring students as innovative musicians, collaborative artists, and creative professionals. Applications must be submitted through the university’s official application portal and include a curriculum vitae, a letter of interest, samples of creative or professional work, a one-page teaching philosophy, and contact information for three professional references. Review begins April 15, 2027. For full consideration, submit a complete application by 11:59 PM on April 14, 2027. The position will remain open until filled; later applications may be considered if a preferred candidate is not identified in the first round. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and is subject to university and budgetary approval. The position may require a criminal background check, and applicants may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

Requirements

A minimum master’s degree in Music, Contemporary or Commercial Music, Jazz Studies, Music Production, Composition, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated professional and/or academic expertise in contemporary and commercial music, jazz, music production, or related creative disciplines.
Evidence of successful teaching, mentorship, or equivalent professional educational experience.
Demonstrated ability to teach and contribute across multiple areas of a university music curriculum.
Working knowledge of contemporary music technology and its application in creative and educational environments.
Demonstrated understanding of jazz, American music, and the historical and cultural foundations of Black American musical traditions.

Nice To Haves

A Ph.D., DMA, or other relevant doctoral degree.
Demonstrated expertise in multiple areas of contemporary music practice, including songwriting, arranging, commercial composition, music production, recording engineering, music business, film and media scoring, and/or music technology.
Professional experience with digital audio workstations, recording systems, audio production, editing, signal flow, and contemporary studio practices.
Experience teaching music history, improvisation, harmony, or related courses.
Evidence of professional recognition through performance, recording, composition, production, songwriting, publishing, or other creative work.
Experience in curriculum development, particularly in contemporary music, commercial music, songwriting, or music production.
A successful history of entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary collaboration, fundraising, grant writing, community engagement, or creative industry partnerships.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, mentor, and develop students from diverse musical backgrounds and artistic interests.
Expertise in performance, songwriting, film scoring, composition, arranging, recording, and audio engineering.
Knowledge of music technology, music business, and/or contemporary performance practice.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate and graduate courses according to Music Program needs and the candidate’s areas of expertise.
Teach subjects that may include improvisation, music history, film scoring, songwriting, theory, arranging, music production, recording and audio engineering, music technology, music business, and other contemporary music topics.
Recruit students.
Create courses.
Review auditions.
Conduct community outreach.
Participate in departmental performances and events.
Collaborate with faculty across the Music Program and School of the Arts.
Support the administrative functions of the unit.
Maintain an active record of professional, scholarly, or creative activity appropriate to the position.
Support existing areas of study and help strengthen and expand the Music Program’s contemporary curriculum.
Mentor and develop students as innovative musicians, collaborative artists, and creative professionals.