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Inside the Department

Faculty Position Available: Assistant Professor of Composition

The Department of Music at Stanford University invites applications for a tenure-track composer at the rank of Assistant Professor. The envisaged starting date is September 1, 2027. 

We are searching for a creative and innovative composer who will show every promise of attaining professional distinction. The successful candidate must have a commitment to high quality undergraduate and graduate instruction, and ability or potential in teaching and mentoring a diverse student body. 

Candidates should have an interest and expertise in one or more additional areas of performance and/or research, including, but not limited to, theory within or beyond the traditions of Western art music, music performance, and computer music. The successful applicant will also have demonstrated interests that afford effective interactions with a broad range of colleagues. Teaching responsibilities will involve courses primarily in composition and analysis, at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as the supervision of individual composition research. Courses may also be taught in the candidate's additional areas of expertise. 

To be considered, applicants must hold a DMA or PhD in Composition or a closely related field, or demonstrate equivalent professional distinction. 

Letters of application should be received on or before October 1, 2026, via the Stanford Faculty Positions website and must include the following:

  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum vitae
  • List of works and performances
  • Three to five letters of reference

Additional supporting materials will be requested at a later date. Please do NOT send scores or recordings at this stage of the search.

The expected base pay range for this position is $115,133 - $135,388.

Stanford University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the qualifications of the selected candidate, budget availability, and internal equity. 

Inquiries may be directed to Bryan Hardester, Director of Finance and Operations, bhardest [at] stanford.edu (bhardest[at]stanford[dot]edu).

The application process will close on October 1, 2026.