Assistant Professor of Percussion

Overview

The Department of Music at Utah State University invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Percussion to coordinate and teach in its percussion program. This is a 9-month, tenure-track faculty appointment beginning August 2027.

The successful candidate will provide instruction to percussion students, coordinate the department’s percussion ensembles, teach percussion methods courses for music education majors, and contribute to the teaching, creative activity, and service mission of Utah State University. The position also provides opportunities to collaborate with faculty across the department and contribute to the broader musical community of the university and region.

Responsibilities

• Teach applied percussion lessons, mentor students in their musical development, supervise student recitals, and prepare and lead percussion juries.
• Recruit talented percussion students and demonstrate a commitment to student success through mentorship, advising, and support for students’ academic and professional development.
• Coordinate the Caine Chamber Percussion Ensemble and the university’s large Percussion Ensemble.
• Teach percussion methods courses for music education majors in both the fall and spring semesters.
• Perform with the faculty jazz ensemble as needed.
• Teach classroom courses in the Department of Music as needed.
• Maintain an active program of research and creative activity in percussion, including professional performances, recordings, commissions, publications, or conference presentations.
• Collaborate with departmental colleagues to strengthen the percussion program and contribute to the broader music curriculum.
• Provide service to the department, college, university, and profession.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications (applicants must meet all requirements to be considered):

• D. or D.M.A. in percussion performance or a closely related field, completed by the time of appointment; ABD candidates will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in both classical and jazz percussion performance.
• Evidence of effective teaching and the ability to engage and support student learning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• An active record of professional performance at the regional, national, or international level.
• A record of research or scholarly activity in percussion, such as publications, recordings, commissions, or conference presentations.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Curriculum vitae/resume, to be uploaded in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV.”

Cover letter addressing qualifications and interest in the position, to be uploaded under “Documents 1–10.”

Names and contact information of at least three references to be typed at the beginning of the application

Links to at least three recent video recordings (public or unlisted) of classical and jazz percussion performances and/or studio or classroom teaching to be pasted into the fillable form within the application. 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Starting at Minimum $60,000, commensurate with experience

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

College/Department Highlights

Department of Music

The Department of Music serves approximately 250 music majors and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Housed in the Chase Fine Arts Center, the department has teaching studios, rehearsal spaces, faculty offices, Daines Concert Hall, and the Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall. The department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance, music education, music therapy, conducting, and related disciplines. https://artsci.usu.edu/music/

College of Arts & Sciences

The College of Arts & Sciences encompasses programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The college supports discovery, creativity, and student success through teaching, research, creative activity, and community engagement. Faculty and students collaborate across disciplines to address complex challenges, generate new knowledge, and prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lives of impact. https://artsci.usu.edu/

Caine School of the Arts

The Caine School of the Arts, within Utah State University’s College of Arts & Sciences, promotes the arts and arts education on campus and throughout the community. The school fosters public engagement in the arts, provides professional stewardship of performance and exhibition facilities, and collaborates with university leadership, patrons, and donors to strengthen arts programs and initiatives. https://artsci.usu.edu/caine/

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected].

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

*updated 08/2026