Skip to content

Assistant Professor of Percussion

Requisition Number:

69973

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Faculty

Schedule:

Full-Time

Date Posted:

09-Feb-2026

Job Summary

The College of Music at the University of Colorado Boulder seeks an accomplished teacher and performer of percussion. This is a tenure-track, full-time faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. Appointment will commence on August 13, 2026.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The College of Music, founded in 1920, is recognized as one of the top comprehensive music schools in the country. The College of Music offers seven degree programs in over 28 fields of study, at the bachelor's level through the doctorate. Our dedicated and encouraging community of 550 degree-seeking students, 70 full-time faculty, 30 part-time faculty, and 40 professional, technical and administrative staff produces over 350 performances and numerous guest lectures, masterclasses, and outreach events each year!

Comprising 40 graduate and 60 undergraduate brass and percussion majors, students in the department pursue the following music degrees: BA, BM in Performance, BME, MM in Performance and in Performance/Pedagogy, DMA in Performance and Pedagogy, and Artist Diplomas. The College of Music offers comprehensive degree programs in Composition, Conducting, Jazz Studies, Music Education, Musicology, Performance, and Theory. CU Boulder is in one of the most picturesque and desirable geographic locations in the country, within easy driving distance of a major metropolitan area and the Rocky Mountains.

The warm and collegial climate of the College of Music reflects the genuine respect among faculty and staff and the unified goal of providing a nurturing and encouraging environment for the students.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Teach applied percussion, weekly studio class, percussion ensemble, coach chamber music, and related courses in the percussion area; participate in regional, national, and international recruitment; maintain an active creative career; serve on graduate committees and supervise graduate theses and projects; advise students; and undertake other College and University service activities as appropriate. Oversee acquisition, maintenance and management of all percussion equipment. Engage in collaborative relationships across departments. The final assignment of duties will be based on the needs of the department and the expertise of the candidate.

We are especially interested in candidates who will help cultivate a collaborative atmosphere in the College of Music; and who can contribute through their teaching and service, to the excellence of the academic community; and who will work to build relationships with other departments within the College and the University.

What You Should Know

This position will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track).

What We Can Offer

Annual salary range for Assistant Professor rank is $73,000 - $81,500. Onboarding assistance is available within department guidelines.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be inspired. Be talented. Be Boulder.

What We Require

  • Experience as a teacher at the collegiate level.
  • An established record of excellence as a national/international performing experience in some of the following areas: Drum Set, Orchestral Percussion, Timpani, Keyboard Percussion, Chamber Music, World Music and other professional level endeavors.
  • An earned master’s degree in Percussion Performance or equivalent professional experience.

What We Would Like You to Have

  • We seek individuals with proven success teaching and recruiting at the collegiate level. 
  • An earned doctorate degree is preferred.
  • Experience in graduate advising and job placement.
  • Additional expertise in one or more of the following areas: Orchestral Performance, Marching Percussion, Jazz and/or Commercial Music, Percussion Pedagogy, Music Technology, Music Entrepreneurship and/or Business.

Special Instructions

For full consideration, please apply by March 1, 2026. The position will remain open until filled. 

The following application materials are to be submitted online:
  1. Current Curriculum Vitae.
  2. Cover Letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
  3. Links to Representative Performance Recordings: please submit one (1) PDF containing links to five (5) performance recordings spanning a minimum of three (3) distinct percussion disciplines.
  4. Links to Representative Applied Teaching Samples: please submit one (1) PDF containing two (2) online links to representative applied teaching samples.
During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for three (3) references. We may request confidential letters of recommendation later. This information will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee.

For questions, please contact: Professor Mike Dunn or Dr. Ryan Gardner, Co-Chairs, Percussion Search Committee, Michael.Dunn-1@colorado.edu or Ryan.Gardner-1@colorado.edu. 

Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu