Careers at Virginia Tech

The School of Performing Arts seeks an Assistant Professor of Practice in Music with primary responsibility for teaching and developing the applied French Horn studio. The initial contract, effective August 10, 2026, will be for a three-year term, renewable per university and school policies.

The successful candidate will teach applied horn lessons, build and sustain a vibrant studio, coach chamber ensembles, and contribute to performance-area activities including juries, auditions, and student recitals. In addition, the faculty member will lead a secondary area aligned with the candidate’s expertise and departmental need; this may include teaching courses in Music Business and Music Industry, Music Technology, or Music Theory. The position supports recruitment and outreach, student mentorship, and collaboration across the School and College.

Duties and Responsibilities
· Teach applied French Horn at the undergraduate (and, as appropriate, graduate) level; organize studio classes; prepare students for juries, auditions, and degree recitals.
· Coach brass chamber ensembles and collaborate with music performance faculty and conductors on performance activities.
· Contribute substantively to one of the following areas:
· Music Business and Music Industry
· Music Technology
· Music Theory
· Develop and deliver courses that connect performance training with industry‑relevant skills.
· Advise and mentor students, support recruitment and audition processes, and engage in outreach that strengthens the brass area and the School’s profile.
· Contribute to School, College, and University service; collaborate with colleagues across the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design and campus partners where appropriate.

About the School of Performing Arts and the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design
The Music program in the School of Performing Arts offers comprehensive degree pathways and performance opportunities that integrate traditional training with contemporary, career‑centered experiences. Faculty collaborate across the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design to support student learning and creative work.

· Terminal degree in music or a closely related field (e.g., D.M.A. or equivalent) by the start date, or evidence of distinguished professional stature in horn performance and pedagogy.
· Demonstrated excellence in applied horn teaching and studio development.
· Ability to teach in at least one secondary area (Music Business and Music Industry, Music Technology, or Music Theory).

· Success in recruiting and retaining applied horn students and in coaching chamber ensembles.
· Experience designing curricula and courses in Music Business and Music Industry, Music Technology, or Music Theory; familiarity with contemporary industry practices and tools where relevant.
· Credential or degree in the candidate’s secondary area.
· Record of collaborative engagement across arts and allied fields; experience contributing to audition and portfolio processes.
· Commitment to working effectively with learners from a variety of backgrounds.

For full consideration, interested applicants are required to submit the following:

• Cover letter describing qualifications for the applied horn studio and secondary teaching area.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Teaching statement (maximum of two pages) and optional supporting evidence (e.g., sample syllabi, list of student successes).
• Links to recent performances provided as unlisted YouTube links.
• A one-page personal statement of teaching philosophy including the candidate's ideas for supporting an educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community.
• Names and contact information for three references.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

Salary range is $58,000 - $63,000 per year

40+

February 15, 2026

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.