Assistant Professor – Music Education & Community Music (Limited Term)
Wilfrid Laurier University
Assistant Professor – Music Education & Community Music (Limited Term)
The Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for a two-year Limited Term Appointment with the possibility of renewal with budgetary approval at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of Music Education and Community Music, commencing July 1, 2025. We seek a dynamic faculty member with an emerging and visible record of contributions to the fields of music education and community music through academic publications and presentations, excellent teaching, and professional service. This position is subject to budgetary approval.
Position Summary
We recruit a colleague whose academic record demonstrates a practice with a strong theoretical foundation and shows a clear and productive publication pathway. The candidate will have experience and familiarity in Ontario school (K-12) settings and teaching at the tertiary level. Knowledge of and experience in music teacher preparation, certification, and professional development within the field is critical for this position. An explicit commitment to 21st century curricula, including expertise in group improvisation; music’s connections with other subjects (eg. film, history, literature); and the theorization of power in group dynamics, are critical to advance the next generation of teachers. The candidate will be equipped to foster diversity, and to advancing outcomes for historically marginalized groups. An interest in and dedication to community work and local contexts, as well as creative and learner-centered approaches are highly desirable.
Responsibilities:
• Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, such as MU101: Introduction to Community Music Education and MU621: Community Music Practices and Leadership;
• Contribute to service through administrative leadership & committee work;
• Supervise graduate level research;
• Collaborate actively with colleagues in program development and planning.
Applicants for this position must have the following qualifications:
• A terminal degree in a relevant field (e.g. PhD, EdD);
• Established record of publications or other formats of dissemination in Music Education, Community Music, or related fields;
• Musicianship in popular and/or classical music, with expertise in both considered an asset;
• Evidence of successful teaching record at the undergraduate or graduate level;
• Record of funding/awards as a researcher or project leader ;
• Evidence of commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in teaching and research;
• Established record of leadership in Music Education in Canada, and capacity to review work in the profession;
• Potential to supervise and serve as examiner for Master and/or PhD level research;
• Innovative research and teaching experience in areas of teacher certification, youth participatory and/or teacher action research, improvisation, arts-based, anti-racist, feminist and/or queer methodologies;
• Strong administrative skills.
The following criteria are considered assets:
• Professional connections in current public education sector who can also be a mentor and support to would-be teachers;
• Experience leading secondary school ensembles;
• Practical experience performing in popular music genres.
• Musicianship in popular and classical music.
Applications must include:
• a letter of interest that speaks to the qualifications for the position;
• a curriculum vitae;
• evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as a course outlines, peer teaching reviews, student success and feedback; course evaluations). Candidates with prior university teaching experience are expected to provide institutional teaching evaluations;
• a Philosophy of Teaching and Pedagogical Values statement, with concrete examples;
• the names and contact information of three referees. Only shortlisted applicants will have their referees contacted.
Laurier’s renowned Faculty of Music is dedicated to fostering artistic and scholarly development of the highest calibre, and to providing a creative environment for student success. Our six degree and diploma programs, coupled with the addition of the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts, makes the Faculty of Music and Waterloo, Ontario a desired location for quality university and preparatory music education. The Faculty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees (Masters and PhD), and a newly launched certificate program: Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem. The faculty is comprised of distinguished scholars, performers, educators, and community musicians who are committed to providing students a world-class education.
As global innovators in music, the Faculty of Music offers opportunities to enhance student creativity and choice with partnerships at schools like Metalworks Institute and Randolph College For The Performing Arts. The Faculty is also home to two cutting-edge research centres: The Manfred and Penny Conrad Institute for Music Therapy Research and the Laurier Centre for Music in the Community. These centres are dedicated to advancing knowledge in music therapy and community music, respectively.
Applicants may also include teaching evaluations or other evidence of teaching ability. Only complete applications will be considered. All applications must include the Position Number 2025-01, and should be addressed to:
Dr. Kirsten Yri
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5
Email: fomdeansoffice@wlu.ca
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5
Electronic applications should quote Position Number 2025-01 and be submitted through the original job posting: https://careers.wlu.ca/job/Waterloo-Assistant-Professor-Music-Education-&-Community-Music-%28Limited-Term%29-ON/729461047/
Deadline for applications is March 19, 2025.
Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Strategic Academic Plan and is one of Laurier’s core values. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from qualified members of the equity-deserving groups. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcome to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@wlu.ca. Candidates from other equity-deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity and Accessibility at equity@wlu.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as per Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obligated to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenships, however, all applicants must include one of the following statements in their cover letter:
Yes, I am a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
No, I am not a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada
Members of the designated groups must self-identify to be considered for employment equity. Candidates may self-identify, in confidence, to Michelle Corbett, Senior Administrative Officer (mcorbett@wlu.ca). Further information on the equity policy can be found at https://www.wlu.ca/about/governance/assets/resources/8.4-employment-equity.html.
Applicants are encouraged to address any career interruptions or special circumstances that may have affected their record of research and teaching, in accordance with SSHRC and NSERC definitions and guidelines. To obtain a copy of this job description in an accessible format, please contact Justine MacNeil (fomdeansoffice@wlu.ca).
Faculty of Music wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. All nominations and applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the Search Committee and a short list of candidates shall be interviewed. Only those applicants selected for the short list will be contacted.
We would like to acknowledge that Wilfrid Laurier University and its campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe (Anish-nah-bay) and Haudenosaunee (Hoe-den-no-show-nee) peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources and not to engage in conflict. From the Haldimand Proclamation of Oct. 25, 1784 this territory is described as: “six miles deep from each side of the river (Grand River) beginning at Lake Erie and extending in the proportion to the Head of said river, which them and their posterity are to enjoy forever.” The proclamation was signed by the British with their allies, the Six Nations, after the American Revolution. Despite being the largest reserve demographically in Canada, those nations now reside on less than five percent of this original territory.
Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.
Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/
Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a CV and letter of introduction will be required in electronic form.