Faculty in Composition and Experimental Sound Practices

The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts seeks to appoint a faculty member with primary responsibilities anchored in composition in the School's Composition and Experimental Sound Practices and Performer-Composer curricula. She/He/They must be a composer with an established reputation, an active career in contemporary or experimental music and with a proven ability in teaching a wide range of ability levels. In addition to teaching individual composition lessons, a candidate for this position should be able to teach classes in composition for film, television, games and other media. Note that the School of Music does not support recording by full orchestra; the students create this work electronically or with smaller ensembles. She/He/They must be able to contribute to the school's broadly integrated subject areas on all degree levels, including composition and experimental sound practices, the core curriculum for undergraduates and other areas of the curriculum addressing the diverse range of musical styles and sources of inspiration exhibited among the student body. CalArts faculty are recognized pioneers in their fields.

Duties include:
  • Giving individualized and small group instruction in composition,
  • Teaching classes in composition areas, potentially including notation, instrumentation, orchestration, computer and experimental music, and practical classes in composition for film and other media, and classes in the history and theory of film music,
  • Overseeing projects at DMA, MFA and BFA levels,
  • Serving as artistic and academic mentor for students, especially those who desire a career as composers for film and other media,
  • Helping to guide curriculum development and
  • Recruiting for the composition program.

CalArts prides itself on its faculty profiles-that blend innovative and exploratory creative work with demonstrated accomplishments as artist-teachers. CalArts is known for its teaching with experimental models for training, research, creative facilitation and learning. Our faculty are expected to contribute to the dynamic and creative vitality of the CalArts community as artists, educators and participants in the evolution of the Institution.

Minimum qualifications: Masters degree equivalent professional experience or higher and two years of college level teaching or equivalent, evidenced experience teaching advanced students.

CalArts is proud of its diverse student body and deeply committed to supporting the cultural and artistic aspirations of all its students. A commitment to increasing opportunities for low-income students and currently disenfranchised groups is necessary, as is the desire to work to support institutional goals of equity and diversity in an ongoing way. CalArts is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

CalArts has a multidisciplinary approach to its studies of the arts through six schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater. CalArts encourages students to explore and recognize the complexity of the many aspects of the arts. It is supported by a distinguished faculty of practicing artists and provides its students with the hands-on training and exposure necessary for an artist's growth. CalArts was founded in 1961 and opened in 1969 as the first institution of higher learning in the United States specifically for students interested in the pursuit of degrees in all areas of visual and performing arts. The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts offers BFA and MFA Programs in Music with Specializations in Performer-Composer, Composition and Experimental Sound Practices, Jazz, InstrumentalArts (all standard instruments), VoiceArts and Music Technology: Interaction, Intelligence and Design. World Music Performance and Musical Arts/Experimental Pop Specializations are also offered on the BFA level. African Music and Dance, Indonesian Music and Dance, North Indian Music and World Percussion Specializations are also offered on the MFA level. Finally, a unique DMA Performer-Composer Program brings very advanced practitioners into this community of artists. The school supports curriculum integration among these programs. Certificate and Advanced Certificate pathways are also available. See website for further information about the Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts: http://music.calarts.edu/ .

Candidates for this position must legally be able to work in the U.S.

How to apply:

Review of applications will begin on 01/04/2022. For full consideration please apply by that date. Please go to this link to apply: http://apply.interfolio.com/98840

Applicants who advance to the second round of the search process will be invited to online interviews, following which short-listed applicants will be invited to campus for presentations, teaching demonstrations, and in-person interviews.

All submissions are confidential.

Applications should include:
  • Letter describing professional background and artistic and educational philosophies. In this letter, please include a statement with a discussion of past and/or potential contributions to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.
  • Detailed curriculum vitae,
  • Names and contacts of three references (will be contacted when candidate is on the short list)
  • List of courses or subject areas previously taught or within the candidate's ability to teach and any related administrative experience.

Do not send work samples at this time. We will request them if the application moves forward to the short list.