Assistant Teaching Professor of Music (Bassoon)

Penn State University • University Park, IL

4d

About The Position

The Penn State School of Music invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term, renewable Assistant Teaching Professor of Music: Bassoon, beginning Fall 2026. We seek an inspiring colleague who is committed to creative and inclusive approaches to music performing, teaching, and learning. The successful candidate will join a collaborative team of studio faculty, contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction for music majors, minors, and non-majors, and enjoy shared responsibility for creating and developing curricula. The position is designed for a colleague who values student-centered teaching, a high level of personal musicianship, and multiple musical and pedagogical perspectives. This position will involve a substantial secondary teaching assignment based on the applicant’s strengths (see responsibilities, below, for specifics).

Requirements

• Master of Music in Bassoon Performance (or closely related field)
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a performer and teacher.
• Ability to teach in and/or administer a substantial secondary area of contribution to the School of Music.
• Ability to work effectively with learners from varied backgrounds and to collaborate within a diverse academic and artistic community.

Nice To Haves

• Terminal degree in Music (DMA or equivalent) preferred.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, mentoring, and retaining undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Engagement with community, professional, or outreach activities related to instrumental music; experience teaching diverse student populations in inclusive learning environments.
• Collegiate teaching experience beyond applied studio instruction.

Responsibilities

• Teach applied bassoon lessons, studio classes, and reed making to undergraduate and graduate majors and minors; prepare students for juries, auditions, and degree recitals.
• Teach Bassoon Techniques (for music education majors), and bassoon literature and pedagogy courses as assigned.
• Actively recruit undergraduate and graduate bassoonists; participate in recruitment, engagement, and outreach activities that support the bassoon studio and the School of Music.
• Maintain an inclusive, high-achieving studio and a collaborative culture with ensemble areas.
• Perform with The Pennsylvania Quintet (resident faculty wind quintet) and participate in additional on-campus faculty performances as part of professional development.
• Teach or provide administrative leadership in a secondary area of the candidate’s expertise: for example, music education, theory, technology/recording, arts leadership/career development, community engagement, musician wellness, chamber music, popular music, or other. (Examples are illustrative, not exhaustive.)
• Participate in auditions, serve on committees, and contribute appropriate service to the School, College, and profession.
• Maintain national and regional visibility as a performer/pedagogue.

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time