Assistant Professor of Practice - Aural Skills/Music Theory - #001831

Assistant Professor of Practice

• Aural Skills/Music Theory
• #001831 Western Carolina University parental leave, paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan United States, North Carolina, Cullowhee 1 University Way (Show on map) May 12, 2026 Assistant Professor of Practice
• Aural Skills/Music Theory
• #001831 Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include the following: Letter of Application/Cover Letter addressing how the candidate's qualifications align with the responsibilities of the position. Curriculum Vitae Statement of Teaching Philosophy

• Candidates should submit a written statement describing their teaching philosophy and their approach to supporting student learning and success for students studying music at a regional, comprehensive university.

List of three professional references with full contact information (address, phone, and email) Unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master's degree level and higher

• . Additional materials may be requested at a later stage of the search process. For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Leonidas Lagrimas, search committee chair, at llagrimas@wcu.edu.
• All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred.

The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree. Posting Details Posting Information Posting Number FAC922P Quick Link for Internal Postings https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/33653 Classification Title Assistant Professor

• Practice Working Title Assistant Professor of Practice
• Aural Skills/Music Theory
• #001831 Department School of Music About WCU Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year.

Including:

• 2025
• Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024
• Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023
• Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022
• Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans

• eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire.

Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences

• many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary The primary location of this position is on-site at Western Carolina University's Cullowhee, NC campus. The Western Carolina University School of Music invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, fixed-term Assistant Professor of Practice appointment in Aural Skills and Music Theory. Anticipated begin date is August 1, 2026. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong expertise and experience in music theory and analysis, aural skills pedagogy, as well as the ability to engage students with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences through inclusive teaching practices and a wide variety of theoretical approaches and musical repertoire, including commercial and popular styles. The candidate must also demonstrate a commitment to a collegial, collaborative working environment. Primary teaching responsibilities include instruction within the required undergraduate theory and musicianship sequence in the context of music education, commercial music, and performance degrees. Successful candidates will work closely with colleagues and play an active role in student retention and academic support. All School of Music faculty participate in student recruitment activities and service responsibilities within the School of Music, the college, and the university, including advising student research projects, committee work, and other departmental duties. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position Minimum Qualifications Earned doctorate in Music Theory, Music, or closely related field. ABD candidates will be considered, but the degree must be completed prior to the start of the Fall 2026 semester. Two years experience teaching undergraduate aural skills and/or music theory Ability to work effectively with students and colleagues from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences Strong interpersonal and communication skills Preferred Qualifications A demonstrated commitment to preparing students for the contemporary demands of the evolving music profession Keyboard proficiency in applied skills such as sight-reading, reading harmonic chord progressions, and score reading. Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week 40 Number of Months Per Year 9 Posting Text Open Date 04/13/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include the following: Letter of Application/Cover Letter addressing how the candidate's qualifications align with the responsibilities of the position. Curriculum Vitae Statement of Teaching Philosophy

• Candidates should submit a written statement describing their teaching philosophy and their approach to supporting student learning and success for students studying music at a regional, comprehensive university.

List of three professional references with full contact information (address, phone, and email) Unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master's degree level and higher

• . Additional materials may be requested at a later stage of the search process. For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Leonidas Lagrimas, search committee chair, at llagrimas@wcu.edu.
• All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred.

The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree. Background/E-Verify Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment. Credential Verification All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements. EOE Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu. University Safety The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety. Applicant Documents Required Documents Cover Letter/Letter of Application Curriculum Vitae Teaching Philosophy List of references Unofficial Transcripts Optional Documents Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (

• ).