ASSISTANT PROFESSOR of MUSIC COMPOSITION / UMKC CONSERVATORY/ Music Division

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

CONSERVATORY

Music Division/ Electroacoustic & Technology-Integrated Composition

At the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, we take pride in fostering collaboration across the divisions of music, dance, and theatre, and in advancing the integration of art forms through research and creative work. Our integrated arts approach intentionally weaves together multiple disciplines to deepen learning, expand artistic practice, and enrich audience experiences.

Building on the Conservatory's recent faculty cohort in Sound, Composition, and Digital & Immersive Media, this position strengthens a distinct need in the Composition Area: a composer whose work is grounded in traditional concert music and extends that practice through electronic, computational, spatial, interactive, or emerging technologies.

The position is intended to enhance existing degree programs rather than establish a new program. It will expand students' access to contemporary tools and practices within the Conservatory's established undergraduate and graduate composition curriculum, while complementing existing strengths in concert music, jazz, opera, cross-genre composition, and media composition.

Assistant Professor of Music Composition
(Electroacoustic and Technology-Integrated Composition)

The UMKC Conservatory invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Music Composition with a focus on electroacoustic and technology-integrated composition, beginning in Fall 2027.

We seek a composer-technologist with deep concert-music fluency: an artist-scholar who can teach acoustic composition and orchestration while leading students into electroacoustic, computational, spatial, interactive, and emerging creative practices. The successful candidate will understand technology not simply as a production tool, but as a compositional medium that can deepen questions of sound, form, performance, space, and musical meaning.

Areas of practice may include electroacoustic or acousmatic composition, computer music, sound synthesis, live electronics, spatial audio, creative coding, interactive systems, algorithmic or generative composition, sound installation, AI-assisted creative practice, or closely related work grounded in compositional craft.

Primary Responsibilities

Teaching (40%): Teach undergraduate and graduate composition, contribute to the shared composition core including composition and orchestration, offer coursework in electroacoustic or technology-integrated composition, mentor graduate students, and participate in recruitment and student outreach.

Research and Creative Activity (40%): Maintain an active creative and/or scholarly profile through performances, commissions, recordings, installations, publications, conference activity, collaborations, or equivalent professional work that contributes to contemporary composition and technology-integrated artistic practice.

Service (20%): Contribute to the work of the Composition Area, Division of Music, Conservatory, and university through committees, outreach, recruitment, community engagement, and collaboration across Music, Theatre, and Dance where appropriate.

• Terminal degree (DMA, PhD, or equivalent) in music composition or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience (ABD considered)
• Demonstrated excellence as a composer grounded in traditional concert music and engaged with electronic, computational, spatial, interactive, or related technologies
• Ability to teach composition and orchestration at undergraduate and graduate levels, including work with acoustic forces
• Evidence of creative and/or scholarly achievement, collaboration, and the interpersonal skills necessary for success in higher education

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in electroacoustic or acousmatic composition, computer music, sound synthesis, spatial audio, live electronics, creative coding, interactive systems, algorithmic or generative composition, AI-assisted creative practice, sound installation, or related areas
• Collegiate teaching experience in composition, electroacoustic music, computer music, or music technology
• Experience mentoring graduate composers and connecting rigorous compositional training to contemporary artistic and professional pathways
• A developed perspective on the artistic, pedagogical, and ethical implications of emerging technologies, including AI-assisted creative practice

Salary is commensurate with experience and credentials. Our academic workloads and schedules provide for a positive work/life balance.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, discounted tuition at all four UM System campuses for employees and qualifying dependents, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

For consideration, you must apply online at Careers - Human Resources | University of Missouri-Kansas City / Academic Positions / Prospective employees: Job Opening ID 60551.

Please complete the online application form with questions, and submit the following materials:

• A one-page cover letter that explains how this position aligns with your professional goals and values, including:
• The role of your previous teaching experience in informing your approach to training composers.
• Your approach to engaging individuals through work that is artistically meaningful, educationally impactful, and socially relevant.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• One-page statement of Research/Scholarly Activity goals and plans.
• Links to representative examples of your teaching, artistic activity and scholarly work.
• Contact information for at least five professional references.

Please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as your resume attachment. Additionally, please limit the document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). Maximum size limit is 11MB.

• If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.
• For questions about the position, please contact umkcfacultysearch@umkc.edu including the Job Identification number 60551 and name of the position.
• Reasonable accommodation may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity and Title IX at (816) 235-1323.

We will check references and request higher education transcripts for applicants who progress to the finalist stage. A Criminal Background Check is required for hire.

Review of applications will begin upon receipt and continue until a qualified candidate is hired.

Employment visa sponsorship may be available for candidates currently in the United States in H-1B status or other work-authorized status.

About the UMKC Conservatory

The UMKC Conservatory is a vibrant community of artists, educators, and scholars located in the heart of Kansas City's thriving arts corridor. Committed to fostering excellence, innovation, and equity, the Conservatory prepares students to become leading performers, educators, and scholar-artists. As part of an R-1 public research university, the Conservatory offers exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and global impact.

We seek candidates who:

• help build the future of performance, education and research in the performing arts;
• demonstrate a growth mindset, with an understanding that learning is an ongoing process;
• believe that art has the power to help us understand ourselves, each other, and our culture while empowering us to move that culture forward;
• engage in work that appeals to, and positively impacts, the global population;
• adapt to the opportunities in their regions, and to expanding frameworks of collaboration.

A City on the Rise: Big City Life and Midwest Charm, Kansas City offers the best of both worlds - a vibrant, urban community with midwestern appeal and an affordable cost of living. Our UMKC campuses are centered in the hubs of cultural arts, business activity, (some great barbeque and ethnic cuisine!), trendy neighborhoods, and health science research engagement for both campuses. As one of the largest cities in Missouri, we are home to the internationally acclaimed Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, a rich history of jazz, cultural arts and music venues, a new international airport, national championship sports teams, NASCAR racing, and a community that is very engaged with our Conservatory and supportive of our university initiatives. Our beautiful state has rolling hills, rivers, lakes, and long bike/hiking trails all within a short drive for those that enjoy time in the great outdoors. Kansas City offers something for everyone!

https://www.visitkc.com/

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.