Assistant Professor of Music Theory & Composition

University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Music Theory & Composition beginning August 2027. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in music theory and aural skills, and in orchestration/arranging.

Additional duties may include teaching in a secondary area such as composition, applied lessons, or other departmental needs, and contributing to curriculum development as assigned by the chair.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD or DMA) in Music Theory or Composition at time of application.
• Experience and expertise in teaching/developing a music theory and aural skills program appropriate for an undergraduate-level institution.

Responsibilities

• Teaching undergraduate courses in music theory and aural skills
• Teaching undergraduate course in orchestration and arranging
• Contributing to the curriculum based on individual qualifications and departmental goals

Skills

Music theory

Aural skills

Orchestration

Arranging

Composition

Education

Doctoral degree in Music Theory or Composition

Job description

Assistant Professor of Music Theory & Composition

Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation as required.

Please note that a minimum of three references are required for all applications. The reference contact information you provide may be used to request reference letters during the screening process.

Position Title Assistant Professor of Music Theory & Composition

Department Music

College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and The Arts - 321 College

Location Main UNCW Campus

Vacancy Number 16F-806

Position Number 2559

Position Type Permanent

Job Close Date 11/09/2026

The Department of Music at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor of Music Theory & Composition to begin August 2027.

Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate courses in music theory, aural skills, and orchestration/arranging. Additionally, the successful candidate will teach in a secondary area of expertise, which may include composition courses, an applied area, or other departmental needs as assigned by the chair.

Primary Responsibilities

• Teaching undergraduate courses in music theory and aural skills
• Teaching undergraduate course in orchestration and arranging
• Contributing to the curriculum based on individual qualifications and departmental goals

Additional Opportunities May Include

• Teaching applied lessons
• Teaching courses in songwriting and/or applied composition
• Performing with a faculty chamber ensemble
• Contributing to the musical theatre and/or popular music minors
• Organizing the UNCW New Music Festival

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Doctoral degree (PhD or DMA) in Music Theory or Composition at time of application
• Experience and expertise in teaching/developing a music theory and aural skills program appropriate for an undergraduate-level institution

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Experience in teaching songwriting and/or applied composition
• Ability to contribute to the musical theatre and/or popular music minor
• Ability to contribute as an applied teacher in an area that complements current department expertise

Other Relevant Information

The Department of Music is committed to fostering an inclusive teaching and learning environment through its curricula, as well as the artistic endeavors of students and faculty. In addition, the Department of Music is dedicated to nurturing excellence in performance, teaching and scholarship by guiding and preparing students through a comprehensive curriculum that provides a strong foundation for an array of opportunities in the music profession, as well as for graduate study in a range of music specialties. The Department of Music offers two undergraduate curricula: the Bachelor of Arts in Music with options in Performance, Jazz and Commercial Music Performance, Music Technology, and General Music; and the Bachelor of Music in Music Education.

The College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (CHSSA) is home to 14 academic departments and offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs including the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Public Administration as well as combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs in Spanish and English. The CHSSA also houses the Gender Studies and Research Center and the Academic Resource Center, which offers full-service, professional advising for all CHSSA undergraduate students. In addition, the CHSSA offers a full complement of interdisciplinary minors and post baccalaureate certificates including: Africana studies, American studies, Asian studies, classical studies, conflict management and resolution, emergency and disaster management, forensic science, Hispanic studies, journalism, Latin American studies, medical humanities, Middle East and Islamic studies, Native American studies, professional writing and publishing, science and medical writing, and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. The CHSSA contributes significantly to the curriculum that comprises UNCW’s University Studies Program, through which all undergraduates gain a foundation in the liberal arts and develop the transferable skills essential for life in the twenty‑first century. The CHSSA strives in its undergraduate programs and in its University Study offerings to nurture creative thinking, intellectual curiosity, and academic integrity in students while providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge in their chosen fields. Graduate programs in the CHSSA are designed to develop intellectual competence and to prepare the student for careers in business, industry, government, teaching or for further study at the doctoral level. Applied learning is a hallmark of the student experience in the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts. Each of the CHSSA’s departments requires an applied learning experience as a part of the curriculum for its undergraduate majors. Examples include faculty-directed research, internships, service learning, and capstone courses and projects, all of which challenge students to integrate various strands of knowledge and to apply that knowledge to broader, real‑world or real disciplinary situations. Upon completion of their studies, all CHSSA students will have the necessary preparation for rewarding careers, advanced study, effective citizenship, and meaningful lives. The College of Humanities, Social Science, and the Arts offers limitless opportunities to engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary research and service while also making a positive societal impact. Come and join our vibrant academic environment that values discovery, innovation, and creativity.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world‑class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking. A public institution with more than 20,500 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate‑level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering. The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.