Assistant Professor of Trombone

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota's School of Music invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor of trombone. The position is a 100% appointment in the nine-month academic year.

We seek a collaborative artist-teacher with strong performance credentials who can recruit and mentor diverse students and engage with community and interdisciplinary programs across performance, education, and therapy.

Qualifications

• One or more graduate degrees in music or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven artist-teacher track record across solo, chamber, and/or orchestral contexts.
• Ability to recruit and mentor students from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Proactively recruit and maintain a nationally recognized trombone studio across undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Teach applied lessons, conduct studio class, coach chamber ensembles.
• Develop and teach workshops or courses in secondary areas (e.g., community engagement, career readiness, technology).
• Maintain an active professional performance career to expand the school's musical world.
• Advise students on academic and career goals.
• Provide service through faculty governance.
• Contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Skills

Performance and teaching

Student recruitment

Collaborative music making

Verbal and digital communication

Education

Graduate degrees in music

Job description

About the Job

The School of Music in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities invites applications and nominations for a tenure-track faculty position in trombone at the rank of assistant professor. This is a 100%-time position over the nine-month academic year.

We seek a collaborative and creative colleague eager to help us build the future of music studies in higher education. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record as a performer and teacher in solo, chamber, and/or orchestral performance, along with a strong interest and aptitude in one or more global traditions. They will also have an outstanding potential to recruit undergraduate and graduate students into the trombone studio from a variety of backgrounds. At the University of Minnesota, our trombone students may be pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in performance, music education, music therapy, and other programs, and we seek a colleague eager to work with students from across these disciplines. We are particularly interested in applications from individuals who bring innovative performance expertise, including, but not limited to, working with marginalized communities, nurturing emerging career pathways, the creation of new work, or the merging of traditional and contemporary approaches to performance.

The successful candidate will be invited to join a remarkable group of faculty in a state with a strong commitment to secondary musical education, a region with vibrant Somali, African American, Indigenous, Hmong, and Latinx communities, among others, and a School eager to challenge structures of racism and colonialism.

Responsibilities

• Proactively recruit and maintain an outstanding, nationally recognized studio in trombone, and potentially euphonium, serving students from a range of musical backgrounds at the undergraduate and graduate degree levels, including students interested in performance, music education, and music therapy.


• Teach applied lessons, conduct studio class, coach chamber ensembles, and otherwise prepare students for impactful career opportunities.


• Develop and teach workshops or courses in one or more secondary areas, including-but not limited to-community engagement, career readiness, composition, technology, or other areas of interest.


• Maintain an active professional performance career that deepens and expands our musical world.


• Advise students on academic and career goals.


• Provide service through participation in faculty governance.


• Contribute to community and civic engagement activities that strengthen the School of Music's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• One or more graduate degrees in music or equivalent professional experience.


• An established record as an artist and teacher able to prepare students to navigate the contemporary musical landscape.


• A demonstrated ability to recruit and mentor students with a wide range of career goals.


• A demonstrated commitment to collaborative music making in a variety of different contexts.


• Strong verbal, written, and digital communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• The knowledge and skills needed to teach related auxiliary instruments.


• An expertise in community engagement/civic practice, musical creation, and/or entrepreneurship.


• An interest and expertise in one or more aspects of popular music studies, global and diasporic music traditions, and/or music and cultural heritage.


• Experience with current and emerging technologies and applications

About the Department

The School of Music has been an important part of the University of Minnesota since 1902, serving both music majors and students from the many diverse programs offered across our campus. Our distinguished alumni, representing a wide range of states, provinces, and nations, are making significant contributions to music and artistic life around the world as performers, educators, scholars, and therapists. The mission of the School of Music testifies to our commitment to the highest levels of excellence in scholarly, creative, and pedagogical endeavors, and to our dedication to providing opportunities for quality artistic development, academic learning, and direct engagement with the Twin Cities community. Our faculty members are recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise in performance, scholarship, education, therapy, and creative studies. The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $75000 - $95000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off


• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program


• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans


• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts


• University HSA contributions


• Disability and employer-paid life insurance


• Employee wellbeing program


• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution


• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity


• Financial counseling services


• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost


• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.