Chair of Brass

Berklee College of Music•Boston, MA

2d•$137,000 - $160,000

About The Position

Berklee College of Music is a global leader in contemporary music and performing arts education. Located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, Berklee serves a diverse community of more than 6,000 students from over 100 countries and is supported by internationally recognized faculty, dedicated staff, and a global alumni network whose nearly 400 Grammy Awards reflect Berklee’s lasting impact on the music of our time. Berklee seeks an accomplished musician-educator and experienced academic leader to serve as Chair of the Brass Department. Reporting to the Dean of the Performance Division, the Chair provides academic, artistic, and administrative leadership for a dynamic department serving approximately 160 undergraduate students and a faculty of ten brass specialists across private instruction and laboratory-based coursework. This 12-month administrative position includes teaching responsibilities as assigned and approved by the Dean. The Chair works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and divisional leadership to advance curricular excellence, support faculty development, promote student success, and ensure responsible stewardship of departmental resources in alignment with Berklee policies, Faculty Union Agreement provisions, and institutional priorities. This role is ideal for a forward-thinking leader who is deeply grounded in brass performance and pedagogy, fluent across jazz, popular, and classical traditions, and inspired by Berklee’s mission to educate adaptable, creative artists prepared for today’s and tomorrow’s music industry. Department Context The Brass Department curriculum emphasizes: Instrumental technique and performance health Reading and interpretation of fully notated scores and chord-symbol lead sheets Stylistic fluency across jazz, popular, and classical traditions Improvisation and ensemble performance (small ensembles, big bands, orchestral settings) Professional performance practices, including appropriate use of music technology Support student development as artists and professionals, preparing students not only as instrumentalists but as adaptable, creative musicians with clear pathways to professional careers and/or graduate-level study.

Requirements

Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
Demonstrated expertise as a brass specialist with significant professional standing.
Record of successful collegiate-level teaching.
Demonstrated experience in academic leadership, arts administration, or comparable professional settings.
Ability to work effectively within a unionized academic environment and shared governance structure.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to mentor faculty and support student success.
Proficiency with instructional and administrative technologies.
Ongoing professional engagement in the music industry.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace practices.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading faculty and staff in higher education.
Curriculum development and assessment experience.
Budget management and strategic planning experience.
Experience developing external partnerships or community engagement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for the academic and artistic direction of the Brass Department in alignment with Berklee’s mission and degree requirements.
Oversee the development, implementation, review, and assessment of departmental curriculum to ensure academic rigor, consistency, and relevance.
Ensure curriculum aligns with institutional learning outcomes, accreditation expectations, and approved program requirements.
Provide leadership and supervision for department faculty and staff in accordance with Berklee policies and the Faculty Union Agreement.
Support faculty development across all ranks through mentorship, clear expectations, and consistent communication.
Conduct faculty evaluations, including classroom observations, syllabus and materials review, student feedback analysis, and written annual evaluations.
Ensure fair, transparent, and equitable application of policies related to teaching assignments, workload, promotion, and performance improvement.
Lead faculty recruitment and hiring processes in collaboration with the Dean, HR, and union guidelines.
Support student recruitment, orientation, advising, and retention initiatives.
Ensure students receive consistent academic guidance and access to appropriate support resources.
Foster an inclusive learning environment that supports student success, well-being, and artistic development.
Manage the Brass Department’s budget, facilities, and operational resources in collaboration with the Dean and divisional staff.
Oversee departmental programming including concerts, masterclasses, clinics, visiting artists, and special initiatives.
Plan and facilitate effective department meetings and coordinate departmental initiatives from planning through implementation.
Represent the Brass Department within the Performance Division and across the institution as required.
Participate in divisional and institutional committees, initiatives, and meetings as assigned by the Dean.
Represent Berklee externally through recruitment, conferences, performances, and partnership development activities, as appropriate.
Teach courses or provide instruction as assigned and approved by the Dean.
Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position and as assigned.