Part-Time Lecturer, Music Teaching and Learning, Songwriting Pedagogy

The University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music invites applicants for a position as Part-Time Lecturer Music Teaching and Learning, Songwriting Pedagogy to begin on August 16, 2024.  The anticipated period of appointment is for the fall semester only; the appointment may be renewed in subsequent semesters based on the needs of the department.

Combining the benefits of a world-class conservatory and a leading research university, the USC Thornton School of Music offers students the opportunity to pursue a thorough music education in a real-world context. Thornton offers students a full range of musical disciplines across a demanding innovative curriculum, and the opportunity to work with a faculty of national and international renown.   For more information, please visit us at http://music.usc.edu/. 

With a student cohort that is largely BIPOC, gender expansive, and with a wide range of ages and experience, the applicant must be adept at teaching, communicating and empathizing with an extraordinarily diverse student population. The University’s commitment to building an academic environment hospitable to this wide range of diversity is full and complete. To that end, we encourage applications from candidates who identify with groups that are historically underrepresented in the academy.

Duties

Principal duties include teaching one graduate-level course, MTAL 517, Teaching and Learning Popular Songwriting.  Additional duties – such as songwriting courses for undergraduates, individual instruction in songwriting, and graduate student guidance– may be assigned, depending on the qualifications of the candidate and the needs of the department.  Candidates participate in department meetings and other activities, as needed and requested.   

Qualifications 

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in music or related field required; Master’s or Doctoral Degree preferred. A record of substantive professional experience may be substituted for education. 

• A record of successful teaching in K-12 or community programs preferred.

• A record of successful teaching experience at the college level or equivalent. 

• Demonstrated experience teaching songwriting to preservice and practicing music educators preferred

• Experiential knowledge of current music industry trends, particularly as they pertain to songwriting.

• Documented professional success as a songwriter and/or producer.

• An established track record as an active performer as a singer-songwriter.

• An understanding and application of historic songwriting traditions, styles, and trends.

• Proficiency across multiple instruments.

• Significant collaborative experience with other songwriters, producers, and musicians.

Review of applications will commence immediately, and the position will remain open until filled.

The salary hiring range for this position is $4,800 to $5,600 for this 2-unit course, per semester. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To Apply

Interested candidates must apply through the USC online system.  Candidates are asked to provide a curriculum vitae and email addresses for three references.  Do not send recordings and other supporting materials unless requested.  Materials will not be returned.