Assistant Professor of Music

Valparaiso University invites applications for the tenure-track position of Assistant Professor of Music (organ, church music, and music theory) in the Department of Music and Director of Chapel Music in the Chapel of the Resurrection. Valparaiso University (“Valpo”), a community of learning grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith, prepares students to lead and serve both church and society. Located one hour southeast of Chicago on a 310-acre campus, Valpo is a comprehensive university with an enrollment of approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Valpo is consistently recognized as one of the best private universities in the Midwest and has an increasingly diverse student body with vibrant DEI initiatives; thus, we seek individuals with a commitment to mentoring students from marginalized communities. Valpo is also in the process of becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Responsibilities for this position include serving as Director of Chapel Music and University Organist for the worshipping community of the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University; recruiting organ and church music students; teaching studio organ and organ masterclass (colloquium); teaching within the core music curriculum, including courses in music theory, aural skills, and other areas in accordance with interest and qualifications; and engaging as a member of the Department in the service work of the unit. Candidates who also bring skills in composition, music technology, and/or choral conducting (sacred) should highlight those in the application. Candidates should hold a DMA or Ph.D (ABD considered) in music or a related field and should be interested in working at a university engaged in issues in Christian higher education in the Lutheran tradition.

Valparaiso University’s Department of Music serves the entire campus with opportunities to study and perform. Students majoring in music may elect to pursue one of three degree tracks: the Bachelor of Arts in Music, the Bachelor of Music Education, and the Bachelor of Music Therapy.  Church music students benefit from active involvement in the music ministry of the Chapel of Resurrection, which supports eight weekly services in a variety of worship styles. The Department of Music’s choral ensembles and instrumentalists are frequent contributors to the worship life of the Chapel.  Student organists have the opportunity to lead worship from the Chapel’s 103-rank Reddel Memorial Organ (Schlicker-Dobson). More information about the Department of Music and the music ministry at Valparaiso University may be found at valpo.edu/music and valpo.edu/chapel.

As a campus with an increasingly diverse student body, we are keenly interested in applications from individuals committed to mentoring students from underrepresented communities and strongly encourage those from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, research statement, and contact information for three references to Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/163222. In your cover letter, please include brief statements of (a) how you might contribute to the university’s distinctive mission and (b) what experiences you have had which will enable you to mentor a diverse student body. Candidates who submit names of references should expect that the search committee will contact these references in confidence and that credentials will be confirmed prior to hire. Candidates should also expect that the search committee will review their LinkedIn profile. Employment will require a satisfactory criminal background check. Applications will be considered until the position is filled; however, applicants are encouraged to apply by March 15, 2025 for timely consideration.

Valparaiso University does not unlawfully discriminate and aims to recruit persons of various backgrounds and experiences to develop and support its culturally diverse intellectual community. Its entire EOE policy can be found at http://www.valpo.edu/general-counsel/policies/equal-opportunity-policy/ .