Clinical Assistant Professor, Double Bass - School of Music - University of Illinois : Job Details

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The School of Music at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is accepting applications for a non-tenure track position of Clinical Assistant Professor in Applied Double Bass. We seek an imaginative, dynamic colleague who will be a collaborative member in the School of Music, and we encourage applications from candidates who bring diverse perspectives and innovative approaches to pedagogy and recruiting. This position will be half-time (50%) with an expected start date of August 16, 2025.

Located on the Urbana-Champaign campus, the University of Illinois School of Music is a center for creativity and collaboration through performance, research, and education. Historically rich in tradition, the School of Music is a resource for music scholarship of all kinds, and offers two music minors, along with various undergraduate and graduate degrees in music for its more than 700 students in many different fields of study. Hosting a diverse population of faculty, students, and staff, the School of Music embraces innovation and discovery while providing an array of musical and engagement opportunities within the artistic and educational communities of Urbana and Champaign.

The position offers the opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking music program within a world-class research university. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated excellence in teaching Applied Double Bass and the ability to recruit a studio of students. The candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with faculty, and the School is committed to providing resources for recruiting and professional development. We seek candidates who possess a collaborative spirit suited to enhancing a collegial music culture. All our applied faculty teach on-site in the School of Music.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Teach a weekly applied double bass studio class and weekly double bass lessons to music majors and non-majors at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Instruct courses aligned with candidate's qualifications and School of Music needs; potential courses may include orchestral repertoire for double bass, string pedagogy, chamber music coaching, entrepreneurship, conducting, music production, recording engineering, grant writing, etc.
• Participate in the assessment of double bass studio juries and AD, MM, and DMA degree recitals.
• Evaluate application materials from students seeking admission to the School of Music.
• Maintain an active presence within the School of Music by participating in events such as the School's Open House (October), Bass Day, audition weekends in January and February, and other special events or gatherings when scheduling permits.
• Develop and implement a strategy to grow and expand the double bass program and to recruit new undergraduate and graduate students.
• Collaborate effectively with faculty colleagues and take an active role in advancing the long-term goals of the double bass program.
• Attend Strings area and School faculty/staff meetings and participate on School committees as needed.
• Mentor and advise both undergraduate and graduate students, and serve on graduate exam committees.
• Build and nurture a strong, diverse, and connected learning studio community.

Roles and responsibilities:

All employees of the School of Music are also expected to embrace the following core ideals:

• Demonstrate a commitment to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, one that reflects the entire State of Illinois.
• Support the University of Illinois' dedication to being a community of care.
• Demonstrate a commitment to student success and well-being through both teaching excellence and broader mentorship.
• Seek opportunities for collaboration with colleagues on and off campus, and within and across disciplines.
• View recruiting and retention, particularly of members of underserved communities, as fundamental to the position and to the School's success.
• Work as a cooperative member of the School's communities and serve as a model of integrity and collegiality.
• Exhibit passion for your work, the School, and the role of music in our society.

The School of Music values collaboration and appreciation for the many differing styles of music the School supports, and values teaching practices that integrate scholarship with cultural and critical theories, and performances emphasizing diverse musical practice.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in double bass performance; however, significant professional experience and a distinguished teaching record may be considered in lieu of a master's degree.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching at the secondary, undergraduate, and/or graduate levels for at least three years.
• Demonstrated success as a performing artist and/or teacher.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum three years' teaching experience at an accredited higher education institution strongly preferred but not required.
• A clear and engaging approach to teaching that encourages technically proficient, healthy, and stylistically informed performance.
• An openness to diverse musical styles and ways of learning and teaching.

Appointment Information:

This is a half-time (50%) academic position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2025. Clinical Assistant Professors at Illinois are classified as specialized faculty. Approximately 30% of faculty in the School of Music are specialized. While this appointment will begin as a one-year appointment, upon successful completion of the first year, the appointment may be renewed with a multi-year agreement. Specialized faculty at UIUC are represented by a union, the Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition (NTFC) Local #6546, that negotiates salaries and benefits. More information about this type of faculty position can be found in University Communications #25 and #26 here: Previously determined salary range for the half-time position is $32,000-$35,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information:

For full consideration, applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 30th, 2025. Interviews may be conducted before the closing date, but no hiring decision will be made until after the close of the search. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. For full consideration, please submit the following:

• Letter of interest addressing the applicant's interest in the position, along with the applicant's success in teaching, collaboration, and recruiting.
• Link to a private YouTube page of solo and/or chamber music performances.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Diversity, equity, access, and inclusion statement, and how this intersects with the applicant's teaching, research, and/or service.
• Names and contact information of three (3) references.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Prof. Larry Gray, Search Chair, [email protected], or Micki Hallam, Search Coordinator at [email protected]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-###-####.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-###-####, or by emailing [email protected].