Assistant Professor in Practice of Piano/Director of Collaborative Piano - Music

SUMMARY

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music seeks a highly qualified and collaborative artist-teacher to serve as Assistant Professor of Practice in Collaborative Piano / Director of Collaborative Piano. This position provides applied instruction in collaborative piano, teaches the accompanying class for undergraduate and graduate students, supports the performance and curricular needs of the School of Music through accompanying and coaching activities, and coordinates the collaborative piano program for students and faculty. The successful candidate will maintain an active presence in the artistic and academic life of the School of Music while overseeing the assignment and management of collaborative piano services across performance areas. Responsibilities align with the School of Music's commitment to providing collaborative pianists for recitals, juries, studio performances, ensembles, seminars, and other curricular activities.

This position is designed to provide artistic leadership, applied instruction, collaborative performance, and administrative coordination for the School of Music's collaborative piano program while supporting the curricular and performance needs of music students across all degree areas.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Collaborative Piano, Piano Performance or Accompanying.
• Demonstrated excellence as a collaborative pianist.
• Evidence of successful teaching and coaching experience at the collegiate or professional level.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff across multiple performance areas.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Collaborative Piano or Piano Performance.
• Experience in vocal coaching, including diction, repertoire preparation, and vocal collaboration.
• Experience in chamber music coaching and performance.
• Expertise in collaborative piano literature across vocal and instrumental repertories.
• Experience coordinating accompanying services, collaborative piano programs, or large-scale performance activities.
• Record of active professional performance and artistic engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Teaches accompanying class for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Teaches applied piano lessons for graduate collaborative piano majors.
• Teaches Collaborative Piano Seminar course and any other required coursework for graduate students.
• Supervises accompanying assignments for piano majors and support their collaborative piano training and performance experiences.
• Coaches students in collaborative repertoire, rehearsal techniques, score preparation, and performance practices.
• Prepares students for degree recitals, juries, competitions, seminars, studio performances, and other curricular requirements.
• Supervises graduate assistants and student collaborative pianists, providing guidance on professional collaborative skills and expectations.
• Coordinates collaborative pianist services, or when necessary, perform for degree recitals, juries, studio classes, seminars, and other School of Music-sponsored performances.
• Collaborates with faculty and students in instrumental, vocal, chamber music, conducting, and composition areas as assigned.
• Participates in faculty performances, recruitment events, outreach activities, and special projects as appropriate.
• Maintains a high standard of artistic excellence in collaborative performance.
• Coordinates collaborative pianist services, or when necessary, perform for degree recitals, juries, studio classes, seminars, and other School of Music-sponsored performances.
• Collaborates with faculty and students in instrumental, vocal, chamber music, conducting, and composition areas as assigned.
• Participates in faculty performances, recruitment events, outreach activities, and special projects as appropriate.
• Maintains a high standard of artistic excellence in collaborative performance.
• Participates in School of Music, college, and university service activities.
• Builds and maintains a strong collaborative piano studio through recruitment, mentorship, and professional development.
• Assists with student recruitment, auditions, scholarship events, and outreach initiatives.
• Supports the artistic and educational mission of the School of Music through collaboration with faculty, students, and external partners.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Broad knowledge of vocal and instrumental collaborative repertoire.
• Ability to manage multiple performance and teaching responsibilities simultaneously.
• Maintain collegial and cooperative relationships with piano faculty, supporting colleagues in teaching, student development, recruitment, and other activities within the piano area.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, artistic excellence, and curricular support.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is a part-time or full-time, non-tenure track faculty position in a professional experience program. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the academic unit head.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Assistant Professor in Practice will be a successful and effective professional in the discipline. A terminal or professional degree may be presented, but is not required, to support the requirements for consideration. Education requirements will be relative to position, professional experience and qualifications.

Practical experience sufficient to teach at the university level, through teaching or profession, is required. Experience teaching at the university level is preferred.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Prepares and delivers classes to undergraduate and/or graduate students.
2. Performs a predetermined amount of teaching load credits (TLC) during the regular academic year; reduction of teaching load through reassignment of duties is possible under certain circumstances.
3. Complies, administers, and grades examinations.
4. Provides services to the university and the profession.
5. May conduct supplemental instructional activities such as independent studies, internships and advising.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. May supervise the work of student and/or graduate assistants.
2. May serve on departmental, college, and university committees.
3. Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Knowledge and practical experience in the field of vocal and instrumental collaboration.
2. Ability to effectively teach undergraduate and/or graduate students.
3. Ability to manage multiple performance and teaching responsibilities simultaneously.
4. Ability to maintain collegial and cooperative relationships with piano faculty, supporting colleagues in teaching, student development, recruitment, and other activities within the piano area.
5. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
6. Ability to work effectively and patiently with students.
7. Ability to demonstrate commitment to student success, artistic excellence, and curricular support.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT

Please upload the following documents under the "Other" category:

• Letter of application that addresses teaching and collaborative piano experience.
• Link to a teaching or coaching video. (This should be an excerpt no longer than 20 minutes.)
• Links of up to three collaborative performances with instrument or voice.
  • The instrument selections should include sonatas for instrument and piano or orchestral reductions for piano.
  • The vocal selections should include arias or lied. (No longer than 30 minutes total.)

The "References" section should include contact information (phone number and email address) for three professional references who are familiar with your teaching and scholarship. (Do not send letters.)

Review of applications begins on December 15th.

Please direct questions regarding the position to the search committee chair, Dr. Tamey Anglley (anglleyts@sfasu.edu).

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Safety Statement

Stephen F. Austin State University recognizes the potential for accidents in performing job-related tasks. SFA promotes a safe working environment. Employees will be responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently. Employee evaluations will include safe job performance.

This is a security-sensitive position subject to criminal record check.

This is an IT-sensitive position subject to Computer and Network Security policy.

Sponsorship Statement

In accordance with USCIS regulations, successful applicants must be legally able to accept work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

This position is eligible for participation in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP), subject to the position being full-time and at least 4 1/2 months in length, or the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) retirement plan, subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

For resources regarding retirement and benefits, navigate to the University of Texas System Employee Benefit page.

Additional benefits for SFA employees are detailed on the SFA Benefits page.