Assistant/Associate Professor of Music (Director of Jazz and Commercial Music Studies)

Position Title:

Assistant/Associate Professor of Music (Director of Jazz and Commercial Music Studies)

Compensation:

$65,000 - $67,000

Department:

School of Music

Start Date:

08/16/2027

About this opportunity:

Ball State University School of Music seeks a dynamic and dedicated musician, educator, and leader to serve as Assistant/Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz and Commercial Music Studies starting in the 2027–2028 academic year. The candidate should have a record of national and/or international accomplishments and a broad range of skills necessary to mentor students in the creation and performance of jazz and commercial music.

The successful candidate will provide leadership to the Jazz and Commercial Studies programs by:

-Leading the growth of the jazz and commercial music programs;
-Maintaining a high level of performance excellence in student ensembles;
-Coordinating the jazz and commercial music programs within the broader School of Music;
-Developing and executing a recruitment strategy for the jazz and commercial programs;
-Contribute to the refinement and development of jazz and commercial music curricula;
-Assist with teaching assignments of full-time and adjunct faculty and graduate assistants.

Our dynamic faculty function as collaborative, innovative, and adaptive members of the College of Fine Arts community, both within and beyond the School of Music, dedicated as teachers, productive in creative and/or scholarly work, engaged in public service activities, and contributing to the Ball State and Muncie communities and beyond. Additionally, lifelong learning at Ball State University extends educational engagement beyond the classroom and includes learning for professional development, personal enrichment, or other goals throughout one’s lifetime. Faculty will be expected to participate in the department’s, college’s, and university’s lifelong learning opportunities when available and may be assigned teaching responsibility in this area as part of their overall responsibilities.

Employer will consider sponsorship.

What you'll do and what you will bring:

Description:

Provide leadership to the Jazz and Commercial Studies programs by:

-Leading the growth of the jazz and commercial music programs;

-Maintaining a high level of performance excellence in student ensembles;

-Coordinating the jazz and commercial music programs within the broader School of Music;

-Developing and executing a recruitment strategy for the jazz and commercial programs;

-Contribute to the refinement and development of jazz and commercial music curricula;

-Assist with teaching assignments of full-time and adjunct faculty and graduate assistants.

Responsibilities:

- Lead the BSU Jazz I ensemble

- Coordinate jazz and commercial music ensembles, combos, and other related performing groups.

- Serve as area coordinator for faculty and graduate assistants in the jazz and commercial music programs.

- Teach academic courses in the discipline, which may include history, theory, arranging, improvisation, and other related topics.

- Teach applied music in the discipline on a relevant instrument of expertise.

- Participate in the governance of the School, College, and University as the representative of Jazz and Commercial Study

- Contribute the scholarly and creative output of the School.

- Promote engagement with the regional community, Indiana, and the Midwest.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in jazz or commercial music performance or closely related field.
• Leadership experience and skills necessary to lead collegiate jazz and commercial music studies programs, including leading the premiere ensemble in Jazz.
• Two years of faculty experience teaching jazz and/or commercial music at the collegiate level

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in jazz, commercial music, or an appropriate related field. Distinguished record of program leadership in jazz and/or commercial music at the collegiate level.
• The ideal candidate will have an active and visible performance profile at the national and/or international level.

How to apply:

Please direct inquiries regarding this vacancy to Dr. Franklin Larey, Director of the School of Music, [email protected]

The following application materials are required:

• Cover letter of application
• Curriculum vitae (Do not use the Autofill resume feature.)
• Portfolio: a supplemental document containing links to online videos representative of your performances.

In addition, applicants are asked to provide the contact information of at least three referees.

 

Consideration Date: to ensure full consideration, applications must be received by December 1, 2026.

(Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.)

What we offer:

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer 12 paid sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits.

Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Faculty and download our calculator spreadsheet.

Relocation Program: MakeMyMove

 

Looking for a place where your career, community, and quality of life can grow together? Muncie and Delaware County offer the advantages of a university community with the accessibility and affordability of a mid-sized city—short commutes, local arts and culture, parks and trails, educational opportunities, healthcare, athletics, and a strong sense of connection.

Through the City of Muncie’s MakeMyMove program, eligible new residents may access relocation incentives, university-related benefits, co-working options, and community-building opportunities designed to help them get settled and connected.

Current benefits for eligible participants may include:

• Up to $5,000 cash for relocation

• Co-working space courtesy of The Innovation Connector
• Access to the Ball State University Library
• One-semester Rec Fit pass at Ball State University
• Discounted Ball State Athletics tickets
• Help desk for connecting to local resources
• Opportunity for board participation
• Six-month YMCA membership

Relocation programs on MakeMyMove have specific eligibility requirements, and benefits may vary by program. Applicants should review the current MakeMyMove page to confirm eligibility, available benefits, and program status.

Ball State’s support for relocation resources and community partnerships aligns with Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, the University’s strategic plan. The plan calls our University to work with community partners to promote talent attraction and retention, foster economic growth in East Central Indiana, and strengthen the economic and social vitality of the communities we serve.

Explore the program and check your eligibility through MakeMyMove.