USC Music Faculty Position

  

University of Southern California

Flora L. Thornton School of Music

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Faculty Director – Non-tenure track

Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television Program

 The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music invites applications for the position of Faculty Director of the Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television Program, to begin August 2012.  This is a full-time, non-tenure track faculty appointment, at the rank of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor of Practice, with rank depending upon qualifications.  This non-tenure track faculty appointment is initially for a period of three years, and is renewable upon review. 

The Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television (SMPTV) Program is an intensive one-year graduate certificate program for advanced composers preparing to enter the profession.  One of the world’s most acclaimed programs of its kind, SMPTV faculty are comprised of working professionals in the film, television and video game industry.  With a legacy that includes such luminaries as Elmer Bernstein, Buddy Baker, David Raksin and Jerry Goldsmith, the SMPTV program offers its graduates unrivalled practical experience and industry connections.  In partnership with the USC School of Cinematic Arts, student composers have numerous opportunities to work with student filmmakers.  In addition, students score a number of projects with professional union musicians at some of the most notable soundstages in Los Angeles.  USC Thornton alumni include Bruce Broughton, James Horner, James Newton Howard, Marco Beltrami and others. 

Duties:  The Faculty Director will teach one or more courses each semester in his/her area of expertise.  In addition, he/she will provide oversight of all aspects of the SMPTV program.  Charged with maintaining the highest level of quality of experience and currency with today’s multi-media marketplace, the areas of program oversight include:

·      Maintaining a diverse curriculum adaptable to the changing needs of the industry, particularly with respect to the use of technology;

·      Actively participating in the recruitment of highly qualified students;

·      Guiding and mentoring a faculty consisting of working professionals;

·      Integrating a professional production environnment that ensures the logical flow of educational training and practice experience, from the classroom to the real world;

·      Establishing a broad base of internship opportunities with many of the most prominent professionals in the field;

·      Working in productive partnership with the School of Cinematic Arts to promote and nurture opportunities for student collaboration, both within the curriculum and through extra-curricular creative activity;

·      Cultivating realtionships with organizations and individuals for the purpose of enhancing resources for the program. 

Qualifications:  Bachelors Degree in music or related field required;  advanced degree in related field strongly preferred.  The successful candidate will have a substantial record of professional success in the field of music for film or other visual media – as a composer or in some other aspect of the profession.  Extensive knowledge of the profession, including the ability to forge productive relationships that can be leveraged for the benefit of the program, is required.   A record of successful experience teaching in an academic environment is required. 

Interested candidates must apply through the USC online system (www.usc.edu/jobs) or by going to the following quicklink:  jobs.usc.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=61612.  Candidates are asked to provide a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation (recommendation letters should be emailed directly by referee to search committee chair via ditmer@usc.edu).  Applicants must not send other materials, although additional materials may be requested at a later date.

Review of applications will begin on December 9, 2011 and the position will remain open until filled.

Combining the benefits of a world-class conservatory and a leading research university, the USC Thornton School of Music offers students the opportunity to pursue a thorough music education in a real-world context.  We offer students a full range of musical disciplines across a demanding and innovative curriculum, and the opportunity to work with a faculty of national and international renown.

The University of Southern California is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Applications from women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged.