Assistant Professor of Elementary and Early Childhood Vocal-General Music Education
Department of Music
College of Fine Arts and Communication
COFAC-4020
Towson University:
Towson University (TU) is one of the nation’s top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.
Position:
The College of Fine Arts and Communication invites applications for a tenure-track, 9-month Assistant Professor of Elementary and Early Childhood Vocal General Music Education position in the Department of Music. Preferred start date is August 2027. This position focuses on elementary/early childhood vocal-general music education, with additional music education courses assigned according to faculty expertise and departmental needs. We welcome applicants with a broad range of experience in the following areas: vocal-general music at the elementary/early childhood level, music education pedagogies, foundations of music education, internship (student teaching) supervision, and related areas of vocal-general music education. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to inclusive practices in music education across urban, suburban, and rural communities. We seek an innovative, student-centered teacher-scholar who demonstrates excellence in teaching, scholarly engagement in music education, and service. Additional compensated summer teaching may be available.
Qualifications:
Minimum Required Qualifications include:
- Earned doctorate in music education required; ABD (all-but-dissertation) applicants will be considered, but appointment prior to completing the doctorate will be at the Instructor rank, and all doctoral degree requirements must be completed by August 1, 2027.
- A minimum of three years of full-time public/private school teaching experience is required.
- Evidence of a strong background in vocal-general music education at the elementary and/or early childhood levels.
- Training in common general music pedagogies, which may include Kodály, Orff-Schulwerk, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Music Learning Theory, World Music Drumming, and/or Modern Band/Popular Music.
Desired Qualifications include:
- Experience teaching in higher education in one or more of the following areas: elementary or early childhood vocal-general music methods, foundations of music education, music for elementary education majors, research and assessment, integrating literacy in the content area, introduction to music in special education, student intern supervision, and student intern seminar.
- Ability to incorporate ukulele instruction and pedagogy into courses as appropriate
- Specialization (certification/levels) in one or more general music education pedagogies
- Ability to infuse modern band/pop music pedagogy into music education coursework
- Ability to model and incorporate instruction on working with multilingual learners and students with special needs in music education coursework
- Commitment to student-centered education that meets the needs of variable learners
- Desire to collaborate and work in team situations
- Experience in curriculum development and/or program assessment
- Proficient use and modeling of technology/digital tools in face-to-face and/or online instruction
- Evidence of emerging scholarship/creative activity in music education
Responsibilities:
This position includes the following responsibilities:
- Teach and co-teach courses in the undergraduate and graduate music education degree programs, which could include, but are not limited to, research and assessment methods, music in special education, elementary and early childhood vocal-general methods/pedagogy), foundation courses in music education, integrating literacy in the content area, student intern supervision, graduate courses in music education, mentorship for graduate music education capstone projects and theses, and other courses based on applicant skills and department needs.
- Work collegially with faculty in the various aspects of the music education program.
- Engage in curriculum development and assist with program assessment, as needed.
- Recruit students and develop collaborative relationships with the local, regional, and national music education community through school visits, conference presentations, and invited teacher professional development sessions.
- Engage in a trajectory of significant scholarship/creative activity and service commensurate with the expectations for promotion and tenure at Towson University.
- Participate actively in assigned service duties with the department, college, university, and community/profession.
The Department:
The Department of Music (http://www.towson.edu/music) is committed to fostering a learning community that reflects the diversity of the surrounding region and state. The Department enrolls a diverse student population of approximately 265 students served by 80 full- and part-time faculty. This comprehensive music program offers a variety of concentrations across bachelor’s, master’s, and applied graduate certificate programs. Towson University and the Department of
Music are accredited by NASM, MSDE, and CAEP. The Department has a long history of philanthropic support for the educational needs of its students. Our alumni are respected educators in PreK-12 schools and university settings, performers at the national and international levels, commercial musicians and jazz artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators.
Application Process:
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Priority will be given to complete digital applications received by October 11, 2026. All materials must be submitted online through Taleo, the university’s application portal. A complete application includes: [1] a letter of application addressing the candidate’s qualifications for the position; [2] a curriculum vitae; [3] a reference page with names and contact information for at least three references; [4] a statement of teaching philosophy that includes discussion of inclusive teaching practices [5] a research statement outlining current and future scholarly interests; [6] unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended (official transcripts will be required at time of hire); and [7] a recent sample teaching video (up to 15 minutes of up to two clips) demonstrating vocal- general classroom instruction (university level preferred), accessible via a weblink to a streaming video platform. Additional materials may be requested later.
Please address questions to:
Dr. Kate Evans, Music Education Search Chair Department of Music
Towson University 8000 York Road
Towson, MD 21252
Phone: 410-704-2257
Email: muedsearch@towson.edu
Click here to apply. Please note that the search number for which you are applying is COFAC-4020.
Please be sure to visit the Applicant Data Form to complete a voluntary on-line form. All data collected are for internal, state, and/or federal reporting and will not be used for other purposes.
Salary and Benefits:
Targeted salary range: $67,000 – $70,000 commensurate with experience.
Benefits: TU offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent health, life and retirement plans; and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, click here for regular faculty/regular lecturer or here for contingent lecturer. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.
Background Check:
A Criminal Background Investigation is required for the hired candidate and the results may impact employment.
COVID-19 Statement:
The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland (USM) has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up-to-date booster shots (when eligible) for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM as both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety.
