Music (Percussion), Tenure-Track Faculty

Job Title

Music (Percussion), Tenure-Track Faculty

School

Music

University Expectation

MTSU seeks candidates committed to innovative teaching, robust research/creative activity, and meaningful service. We also seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty who value working with diverse students.

Salary

The salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Job Summary/Basic Function

The School of Music at Middle Tennessee State University invites applicants for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position (#131130) in percussion at the rank of assistant or associate professor. The start date for the position is August 1, 2027.

The successful candidate will be a dynamic and engaging pedagogue and performer with a proven record of excellence as a studio teacher, ensemble director, and performer. Primary teaching responsibilities will include courses and lessons on both the graduate and undergraduate level, including applied percussion, percussion ensemble, steel band, and other percussion chamber groups. The faculty member may also be asked to teach courses such as percussion methods, percussion literature and pedagogy, and other courses as needed. The selected candidate will be actively involved in recruiting percussionists and serve as the coordinator for percussion activities. In addition to teaching, the tenure-track percussion faculty member will maintain an active profile as a performer, composer, or clinician at the regional, national, or international level through recitals, master classes, and outside clinics.

The MTSU School of Music serves approximately 250 undergraduate and graduate music majors pursuing Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Music degrees, as well as many students enrolled in specialized minors. For more information, visit www.mtsu.edu/music.

Required Education

A terminal degree in percussion performance is required by the appointment date.

Required Related Experience

Three (3) years of full-time teaching at the collegiate level are required by the appointment date.

Other Desirables

Applicants with experience coordinating an instrumental area, professional recording experience, and working with non-traditional ensembles such as salsa bands or steel bands will receive special consideration.

Documents Needed to Apply

To successfully apply, applicants must provide the following as separate attachments when submitting the application.

• Cover letter.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Statement of teaching philosophy addressing the strengths they will bring as a teacher and scholar and the ways in which their pedagogical style fits the ideals presented in the job description.
• Statement of research or creative activities (as appropriate to the discipline).
• Link(s) to two(2) 15-minute videos of percussion lessons.

AND Link(s) to three (3) videos of solo performances given in the past five (5) years. This may be accomplished by providing links either in their curriculum vitae or in a document attached as "Other Document 1." The links must be active and working at the time of application submission and remain so until the search is complete.

• A program for a potential future recital that showcases the applicant as a performer and their strengths as an artist. The program should include 45-60 minutes of music, broken up into set groupings. This document should be submitted as "Other Document 2."

Special Instruction to Applicants

When applying, applicants must provide complete contact information, including email addresses, for three professional references. References will be contacted to provide a reference letter if the applicant is selected for an interview. In addition, if the applicant is selected for the position, official transcripts of all degrees conferred, including translations and evaluations of international transcripts from an approved credentialing agency, will be required before a contract is issued. All submitted materials become the property of MTSU and will not be returned. Submission of materials is the applicant’s responsibility. Applications without all required materials are incomplete and will not be considered.

If you need help with the application, please contact Mitzi Dunkley, Faculty Recruitment Specialist, at (615) 898-5128. If you have position-specific questions, please contact Karla Barnes at Karla.Barnes@mtsu.edu.

MTSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave for Administrative/Classified Staff/12-month Faculty
• 13 paid University holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
• Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents

Click here for additional information.

MTSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment is required before employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU are available at https://police.mtsu.edu/annual-security-report/ or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at (615) 898-2424.

MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug-Free campus.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you will be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered.

For individuals requiring reasonable accommodation to apply: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with MTSU, please call 615-898-2929 or email emp@mtsu.edu.

Application Review Date: 12/01/2026