Assistant Professor of Music

Assistant Professor of Music

Position Category: Faculty

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: .75 (academic year full-time)

Location: Thousand Oaks

University Background:

The mission of California Lutheran University is to educate leaders
for a global society who are strong in character and judgment,
confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service
and justice. Founded in 1959 in beautiful Ventura County, the
university has an enrollment of about 3,500 undergraduate and
graduate students who come from across the nation and around the
world from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. As a
federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cal Lutheran is
looking for candidates with a dedication to and success in working
in diverse communities. The university is committed to an inclusive
learning and work environment that values individual differences
and respects each person’s dignity.

Basic Function:

Under the direction of the Dean and the Department Chair, the
Assistant Professor is responsible for providing academic
instruction to students for the assigned undergraduate courses. The
Assistant Professor is also to serve as an academic mentor to
students; serve on faculty or university committees; and engage in
scholarly activities, and/or creative endeavors which contribute to
the academic mission of the University, as outlined in the faculty
handbook.

The Music Department at California Lutheran University invites
applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor whose primary
responsibility will be to conduct the university choirs (including
an all-student SATB mixed choir and treble choir), guide all
vocal-related activities, and teach courses in the Music Department
beginning in Fall 2027. The successful candidate will be a
visionary, enthusiastic, and collaborative choral pedagogue and
musician committed to building and maintaining a vibrant choral and
vocal program. Proven or potential success with recruitment is
expected. Teaching responsibilities include coursework in the
candidate’s secondary areas of expertise and may include music
theory, music history, conducting, private vocal lessons, or other
subjects. Additional responsibilities involve the planning and
performance of the annual Christmas Concerts.

California Lutheran University is a Hispanic Serving Institution.
We seek candidates with experience or sensitivity to working with
students from underrepresented ethnic and racial backgrounds and
educational attainment, including first-generation and/or immigrant
students. The successful candidate will have a record of and a
commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, justice, and belonging,
and who can serve as a mentor for African-American, Latina/o,
and/or Native American students.

The Music Department is a student-centered learning community that
prides itself on providing a strong music education within a
nurturing atmosphere. Faculty members are experienced professionals
who are committed to teaching excellence. The music program is
widely respected for its performance ensembles, its classroom
teaching, and its studio instruction. Cal Lutheran’s majors have
gone on to be successful performers, educators, composers,
conductors and music-industry specialists. We embody the spirit of
a strong conservatory education within a liberal arts
setting.

Representative Duties:

• Primary responsibilities for this position include conducting
the CLU Choir (an all-student SATB mixed choir), Cielo (treble
choir) and overseeing all vocal-related activities within the
department.

• Organize the annual University Christmas Concerts. E

• Proactively seek opportunities to recruit and retain students
for the Music Department. E

• In coordination with the department chair and full-time faculty
in the Music Department, plan and engage in domestic and
international tours. E

• Additional teaching responsibilities will include coursework in
the candidate’s secondary areas of expertise. This may include
music theory, aural skills, music history, conducting, private
vocal lessons, or other subjects. E

• Engage in service to the CLU Music Department and the
University, particularly within the university’s ceremonial
traditions that involve vocal groups (Christmas concerts,
university convocations, baccalaureate, graduation, others). E

• Support music students by regularly attending performance
forums, student recitals, and student ensemble performances. E

• Participate in departmental efforts to create meaningful
curricular initiatives. E

• Willingly engage in service and leadership roles as requested
by the Music Chair, Associate Dean, Dean, or other university
leaders. E

• Provide academic and professional mentoring to students. E

• Provide academic instruction to students through lecture, lab,
or performance courses. Create assignments and activities in
one-on-one, classroom, and distance mediated instructional settings
for development of cognitive abilities, communication skills, and
higher order thinking skills among students. E

• Observe and evaluate student performance in meeting course
objectives and student learning outcomes through assignments,
projects, discussions, and examinations; provide feedback in a
timely manner to student inquiries in class, online, or during
established consultation office hours. E

• Maintain current, accurate records of course enrollment,
attendance, student academic progress, and course curriculum;
prepare and submit grades, data, and reports related to the course
and student progress in a timely manner. E

• Maintain a program of scholarly and/or creative activity that
is relevant to the area of choral music. E

• Teach and hold regular office hours in person on campus at
least four days per week. E

• Provide a course syllabus to students in each class within the
first week of the class, as outlined in the faculty handbook.
E

• Adhere to the responsibilities related to teaching, advising,
service, and scholarly, professional, and creative activities, as
outlined in the faculty handbook. E

• Maintain professional and ethical standards in all duties
E

• Attend and participate on committees and in the department,
division, campus, and University meetings.

• Perform related duties as assigned. E

• Evening and weekend hours may be required. E

E = Essential Duties

Knowledge Of:

• Current theory and practice within the discipline of choral
conducting and singing.

• Appropriate repertoire for college-based choral ensembles.
Effective pedagogical approaches to teaching students with diverse
musical backgrounds and experiences.

• Experience and success working with a diverse student
population, including students from historically underserved groups
and first-generation students, as well as students with documented
learning disabilities.

• Principles and best practices of effective teaching.

• Student learning outcomes and methods of assessment.

• University curricula.

• Community and campus resources, services, programs, and
professionals available to students.

• Methods of gathering, analyzing, and preparing data

• Modern computing technology.

• Record-keeping techniques concerning student enrollment,
attendance, and progress.

Ability To:

• Demonstrate a thorough and accurate knowledge of the subject,
field, or discipline.

• Deliver course curricula in various learning styles.

• Exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse
academic, social, economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of
University students.

• Exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the needs of
students with disabilities.

• Integrate current and emerging instructional delivery
technologies into the learning process to enhance teaching and the
educational experience.

• Maintain professional standards that protect student
confidentiality.

• Work constructively with their colleagues and to treat faculty,
staff, administrators, and students with respect and
professionalism.

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing using tact,
patience, and courtesy

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of
action.

• Demonstrate commitment to professional excellence and
continuous growth within the subject, field, or discipline.

Minimum Qualifications:

Possession of a terminal degree (D.M.A. or Ph.D.) in Choral
Conducting, Vocal Performance, or Choral Music Education from an
accredited institution. ABD will be considered with a set date for
when the doctorate will be successfully earned.

Preferred Qualifications:

Licenses and Other Requirements:

None

Physical Abilities:

Detect to understand appropriate written correspondence;
communicate clearly to exchange information in person and via the
telephone or video; operate a computer and other office
productivity machinery; stationary position for extended periods of
time; move or transport light objects; position self to store
and/or retrieve files.

Working Environment:

Indoor classroom environment; subject to visiting a variety of
classroom sites on campus.

Hiring Range $73,000 – $82,000

Posting Number: Faculty001332020

Open Date: 10/01/2026

Close Date: 11/08/2026

Application Procedure/Special Instructions We look forward
to reading your application.

Please include the following materials with your application:

1. Cover Letter: Please tell us about yourself and explain how you
meet the qualifications for the position. Please also describe how
you plan to support the mission and Hispanic-Serving Institution
designation of California Lutheran University. Two pages
maximum.

2. Curriculum Vitae or Resume: Please provide a curriculum vitae or
resume detailing your educational background, professional
experience, teaching experience, publications, service,
appointments or positions, honors, awards, and other relevant
accomplishments.

3. Please include a list of professional references whom the
University may contact.

4. Statement of Teaching: Please discuss your teaching philosophy
and provide concrete examples of your pedagogy. Two pages
maximum.

5. Statement of Research: Please describe your program of
research/scholarly creativity, noting any work completed in
collaboration with undergraduate students. If you have not
previously conducted research/scholarly creativity with
undergraduate students, please describe your plans for future
scholarship and student collaboration. Two pages maximum.

6. Other – Inclusive Excellence Statement: Please explain how you
will encourage and facilitate inclusive excellence through your
teaching, mentorship, research, and service. Two pages
maximum.

Semifinalists candidates will be asked to submit videos of them
conducting in a performance or rehearsal.

To apply, visit https://careers.callutheran.edu/postings/13659

California Lutheran University is committed to providing equal
opportunity in employment for all persons, regardless of race,
religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical
disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status,
sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender
identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable
law. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program,
activity or facility of the University on the basis of these
factors in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state
laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules, and University’s
policies, procedures, and processes.

Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process
can be provided to individuals with qualifying disabilities. Please
contact the Human Resources Department for further information or
to request an accommodation.

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