Assistant Professor of Music Theory/Composition

Application Deadline:

January 8, 2026

Position Details:

This full-time faculty position is on-campus and in-person.

The TCU School of Music invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor (Tenure-track) of Music Theory/Composition beginning Fall 2026.

The successful candidate will teach music theory/composition courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels; other courses according to the needs of the Music Theory and Composition Divisions and the candidate’s interests as assigned by the Director of the School of Music; participate in professional and School of Music activities and engage in research and creative activities as appropriate for a faculty member at a major research university.

Required Qualifications
• Doctorate in Music Composition or Theory (completed by August 2026)
• College-level experience teaching music literacy, including harmony and aural skills for first- and second-year students

Preferred Qualifications
• Evidence of national or international recognition as a scholar and/or composer
• Experience teaching advanced courses in the composition/music curriculum (Form and Analysis, Counterpoint, Instrumentation, Private Composition, Orchestration, and other advanced courses)

Department Details:

The TCU School of Music is a nationally recognized, award-winning institution that allows students to excel and grow as artists in an environment large enough for world-class musical opportunities, yet small enough to ensure a personalized musical experience.

The School of Music, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1949, offers world-class musical opportunities to prepare the educators, conductors, performers, scholars and composers of tomorrow. Approximately 350 students are pursuing BA, BM, BME, MM, MME, and DMA degrees or Artist Diploma Certificates. In addition to the 250 performances presented each year, the symphony orchestra, concert chorale, wind symphony, symphonic and jazz bands, percussion orchestra, marching band, mariachi, and other ensembles perform at major conferences and venues nationally and internationally. Along with the focus on performance, the School of Music prepares future educators through nationally recognized piano pedagogy and music education programs, resulting in highly successful job placement post-graduation. Music education students are prepared for certification in winds and percussion, vocal, strings, elementary, and Mariachi education. Students benefit from community partnerships with organizations such as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Opera, Cliburn in the Classroom, and local school districts. Music majors as well as students from other disciplines across the university work with 50 full-time and 27 part-time faculty who actively compose, publish, perform, adjudicate, and give master classes on and off the TCU campus. Festivals and events such as PianoTexas, the Latin American Music Festival, and the Jazz Festival, that bring nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians to work with TCU students. In addition to being the first All-Steinway School in Texas, the new TCU Music Center features the 717-seat state-of-the-art Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU, enhancing the School of Music presence on the campus and the entire Fort Worth community.

For more on the School of Music, please visit https://finearts.tcu.edu/music/

School/College Description:

The TCU College of Fine Arts is home to six academic units: the School of Art, the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance, the School of Music, the Department of Design, the Department of Fashion Merchandising, and the Department of Theatre. We offer 33 undergraduate degree programs and 24 advanced degree programs to prepare the next generation of creative leaders in the arts. Students in the College of Fine Arts study with renowned professors and guest artists, annually present more than 350 public performances, and regularly present art, design, and research in juried exhibitions and competitions.

University & Fort Worth Description:

ABOUT TCU

Founded in 1873, Texas Christian University sits on 302 acres nestled in a primarily residential part of Fort Worth, just minutes away from downtown. The University includes seven schools and colleges, in addition to the John V. Roach Honors College and the Burnett School of Medicine.

Currently, TCU enrolls more than 10,200 undergraduates and 1,700 graduate students. Twenty-eight percent of students self-identify as a member of a minority group, five percent are international students, and forty-five percent are from out-of-state. Our students are supported by more than 2,200 faculty and staff. The University has more than 700 full-time faculty members and is a top 100 National University as classified by US News and World Report and has a Carnegie Classification of R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity.

ABOUT FORT WORTH

Like TCU, Fort Worth has the approachable, friendly charm of a smaller town, but offers the amenities, cultural activities, diversity and unique personality of a much larger city. Fort Worth, Texas, is the 13th largest city in the United States with an ever-growing population nearing 1 million. Fort Worth and TCU have grown together in a nearly 150-year relationship. You’ll find that many Horned Frogs remain here after graduation, thanks to the region’s thriving job market. Fort Worth is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, and the number 1 tourist destination in Texas. In 2018, bizjournals.com ranked Fort Worth the 7th most affordable city to live and work in the United States and U.S. News and World Report named Fort Worth one of the Best Places to Live. Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington all rank among the top 25 most diverse cities in the country.

Fort Worth is known for its vast array of cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities. The city boasts three world class art museums—the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The Bass Performance Hall is one of the premier performance venues in the country. Concerts, film festivals and other events are held regularly at Sundance Square, Panther Island and Near Southside venues.

Required Application Materials & Application Instructions:

• A letter of application detailing qualifications for this position
• A current curriculum vitae (CV)
• A one-page teaching philosophy statement
• A list of 3 professional references

Candidates may be asked to submit additional materials in later stages of the application process.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.