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Assistant Professor in Vocal Performance

Posting Details

Posting Details

Business Title Assistant Professor in Vocal Performance
Department School of Music
Posting Category Faculty
Salary Plan Faculty - AAUP
Job Summary
The School of Music at Cleveland State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure track appointment in Vocal Performance at the level of Assistant Professor beginning August 19, 2024. CSU is committed to academic excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff, and student body. CSU is striving to be a nationally recognized and student focused public research institution that provides accessible, affordable, and Engaged Learning opportunities for all.

Duties of the advertised position will include coordinating the voice area and aligning content and pedagogy with current trends and best practices in a wide range of vocal styles (e.g., classical style, bel canto, musical theater, jazz, popular and world music, gospel) within the characteristics of an urban learning environment. The outstanding voice specialist and pedagogue is expected to teach undergraduate and graduate voice lessons as well as vocal pedagogy and diction courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and possibly other courses within the applicant’s specialization. The successful candidate is further expected to maintain an ongoing record of creative and scholarly achievement at a high level. Other responsibilities will include directing the Vocal Theater Workshop, serving on institutional committees, recruiting undergraduate and graduate students, and fulfilling other duties as assigned.

The CSU School of Music supports voice primaries in the following degree programs and tracks:
· Voice Performance (both B.Mus. and M.M. degrees)
· Bachelor of Arts (both the traditional and popular music tracks)
· B.M. in Music Composition
· B.M. in Music Education

The successful candidate will coordinate voice lessons for B.S. in Music Therapy students (from the Department of Music Therapy in the College of Health) and give presentations on vocal technique and health in music therapy classes.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Doctoral degree (or ABD, completion of all requirement for the doctoral degree by July 1) in vocal pedagogy, vocal performance, or a closely related field;
  • A strong understanding of foundational vocal technique and the ability to teach vocal technique;
  • Significant experience performing and teaching in at least two of the vocal styles listed above;
  • Experience teaching private voice to university students at the undergraduate level;
  • Ability to contribute to the diversity, cultural sensitivity, and excellence of the institution through teaching, service, and community engagement;
  • Effective organizational and writing skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Three or more years of experience teaching voice to undergraduate students;
  • Experience teaching private voice to university students at the graduate level;
  • Experience teaching vocal pedagogy;
  • Experience teaching diction for singers;
  • Experience directing musical theater and/or opera productions;
  • Experience coordinating a diverse group of voice teachers.
Date grant, position, or appointment expires (For Funds Available, Temporary, and Waiver of Posting
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicant Instructions
Applications will only be accepted online at https://hrjobs.csuohio.edu/postings/21965.Mailed or emailed application materials will not be accepted. Preference will be given to applications received by May 4. All inquiries about the position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Michael Baumgartner (m.baumgartner29@csuohio.edu).

List of documents applicant is required to submit:

  • Cover Letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Diversity Statement*
  • Reference Letter from 3 references – references will be contact via automated email to upload a reference letter
  • Candidates who advance past the initial application review will be required to submit video recordings of vocal performances


*Cleveland State University is an urban campus serving a racially, culturally, and economically diverse student body. Diversity is extremely important to CSU. Explain your experience serving diverse students and how you will make a positive contribution to CSU’s inclusive community. For applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experience, note how your work will contribute to CSU’s commitment to diversity and mission as an urban serving university.

CSU is an urban university with more than 15,000 students located in the heart of Cleveland, OH. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is No. 18 in the U.S. among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission: providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. CSU is the only Ohio university in the top tier of the Brookings list. For additional information about the city of Cleveland, see https://www.thisiscleveland.com/

Hire is contingent upon the maintenance of existing levels of funding from the State of Ohio. Offer of employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of the University’s verification of credentials (including evidence of a Ph.D. or a DMA) and other information required by law and/or University policies or practices, including but not limited to a criminal background check.

It is the policy of Cleveland State University to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran, or genetic information.
Hiring Range /Pay Rate
Advertising Copy
Job Summary
The School of Music at Cleveland State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure track appointment in Vocal Performance at the level of Assistant Professor beginning August 19, 2024. CSU is committed to academic excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff, and student body. CSU is striving to be a nationally recognized and student focused public research institution that provides accessible, affordable, and Engaged Learning opportunities for all.

Duties of the advertised position will include coordinating the voice area and aligning content and pedagogy with current trends and best practices in a wide range of vocal styles (e.g., classical style, bel canto, musical theater, jazz, popular and world music, gospel) within the characteristics of an urban learning environment. The outstanding voice specialist and pedagogue is expected to teach undergraduate and graduate voice lessons as well as vocal pedagogy and diction courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and possibly other courses within the applicant’s specialization. The successful candidate is further expected to maintain an ongoing record of creative and scholarly achievement at a high level. Other responsibilities will include directing the Vocal Theater Workshop, serving on institutional committees, recruiting undergraduate and graduate students, and fulfilling other duties as assigned.

The CSU School of Music supports voice primaries in the following degree programs and tracks:
· Voice Performance (both B.Mus. and M.M. degrees)
· Bachelor of Arts (both the traditional and popular music tracks)
· B.M. in Music Composition
· B.M. in Music Education

The successful candidate will coordinate voice lessons for B.S. in Music Therapy students (from the Department of Music Therapy in the College of Health) and give presentations on vocal technique and health in music therapy classes.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Doctoral degree (or ABD, completion of all requirement for the doctoral degree by July 1) in vocal pedagogy, vocal performance, or a closely related field;
  • A strong understanding of foundational vocal technique and the ability to teach vocal technique;
  • Significant experience performing and teaching in at least two of the vocal styles listed above;
  • Experience teaching private voice to university students at the undergraduate level;
  • Ability to contribute to the diversity, cultural sensitivity, and excellence of the institution through teaching, service, and community engagement;
  • Effective organizational and writing skills.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Three or more years of experience teaching voice to undergraduate students;
  • Experience teaching private voice to university students at the graduate level;
  • Experience teaching vocal pedagogy;
  • Experience teaching diction for singers;
  • Experience directing musical theater and/or opera productions;
  • Experience coordinating a diverse group of voice teachers.

Applicant Instructions
Applications will only be accepted online at https://hrjobs.csuohio.edu/postings/21965.Mailed or emailed application materials will not be accepted. Preference will be given to applications received by May 4. All inquiries about the position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Michael Baumgartner (m.baumgartner29@csuohio.edu).

List of documents applicant is required to submit:

  • Cover Letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Unofficial transcripts or a statement about graduate courses
  • Diversity Statement*
  • Reference Letter from 3 references – references will be contact via automated email to upload a reference letter
  • Candidates who advance past the initial application review will be required to submit video recordings of vocal performances

*Cleveland State University is an urban campus serving a racially, culturally, and economically diverse student body. Diversity is extremely important to CSU. Explain your experience serving diverse students and how you will make a positive contribution to CSU’s inclusive community. For applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experience, note how your work will contribute to CSU’s commitment to diversity and mission as an urban serving university.

CSU is an urban university with more than 15,000 students located in the heart of Cleveland, OH. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is No. 18 in the U.S. among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission: providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. CSU is the only Ohio university in the top tier of the Brookings list. For additional information about the city of Cleveland, see https://www.thisiscleveland.com/

Hire is contingent upon the maintenance of existing levels of funding from the State of Ohio. Offer of employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of the University’s verification of credentials (including evidence of a Ph.D. or a DMA) and other information required by law and/or University policies or practices, including but not limited to a criminal background check.

It is the policy of Cleveland State University to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran, or genetic information.
Posted Date 04/03/2024
Close Date/Application Deadline
Open Until Filled Yes
Review Begins 05/04/2024
Tentative Start Date August 19, 2024

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
    • Public Job Posting
    • Internal Job Posting
    • Agency Referral
    • Advertisement/Publication
    • Personal Referral
    • CSU Website
    • Other
  2. * If you selected 'Public Job Posting" or "Other" please provide source.

    (Open Ended Question)

  3. * Do you require any type of accommodation, should you be invited to campus for further screening? Please contact CSU at (216) 687-3636 if you need accommodation.
    • Yes
    • No
  4. * Are you able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation?
    • Yes
    • No

Application Documents

Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Unofficial Transcripts
  4. Diversity Statement
Optional Documents
  1. Evidence of Teaching Experience (e.g. Course Evals, etc.)
  2. License /Certificate
  3. List of Courses Taught
  4. Other Document
  5. Research Plan
  6. Teaching Philosophy
  7. Teaching Statement
  8. Research Statement