Limited Term Appointment - Composition

Faculty/Academic Area: Faculty of Music 

Department: Music Academic 

Campus: Waterloo 

Employee Group: WLUFA 

Requisition ID: 7465 

Limited Term Appointment – Composition

The Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for a one-year (renewable) Limited Term Appointment at the rank of Lecturer in Composition, commencing July 1, 2024. This position is subject to budgetary approval.

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching group and one-to-one composition, in addition to courses such as songwriting and arranging which match the candidate’s qualifications and expertise. Other areas of expertise may include but are not limited to jazz harmony, community music, orchestration, conducting, curation, and collaborative creation. The successful candidate will also serve on audition, jury, and graduation recital panels as necessary, be actively engaged in recruitment initiatives, and engage in committee work in the Faculty.

The successful candidate will be a composer with a national and/or an international profile, whose works demonstrate proficiency in a variety of musical genres and traditions, including art music.

Applicants for this position must have the following qualifications:

• Masters degree in Music with specialization in Composition, terminal degree in the field of music composition is an asset;
• Composition teaching experience (3+ years), University level preferred, or equivalent;
• Evidence of successful teaching (or teaching assistant) record at the undergraduate level or equivalent;
• Evidence of high professional stature as a composer
• Evidence of capacity to work in diverse compositional styles;
• Evidence of diversity and inclusion in pedagogy;
• Strong administrative skills;
• Expertise to teach additional core and elective courses in music.

​As long-time innovators and leaders in music education, 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.

Applications must include:

• a letter of interest that speaks to the qualifications for the position including a list of possible courses the candidate has expertise to teach;
• a curriculum vitae;
• links to recordings of recent compositions;
• 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 of three referees that can speak to professionalism, teaching effectiveness, character, and collegiality. Only shortlisted applicants will have their referees contacted for letters.

Laurier’s renowned Faculty of Music is dedicated to fostering artistic and scholarly development of the highest caliber. 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 highly sought-after location for exceptional university and preparatory music education. The Faculty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees (Master 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 a creative environment for student success.​

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. 

Only complete applications will be considered.  All applications must include the Position Number 2024-02, and should be addressed to:

Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner

Dean, Faculty of Music

Faculty of Music

Wilfrid Laurier University

Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5

Email: fomdeansoffice@wlu.ca

Electronic applications should quote Position Number 2024-02. Complete applications should be emailed to the address above (please do not use the Apply Now feature).

Deadline for applications is May 1, 2024.

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.

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).

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.

While proof of vaccination requirements will be paused May 1, Laurier community members should remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses, as recommended by public health. The university reserves the right to re-implement the vaccination requirement at any time in response to public health conditions.