FACULTY POSITION
UNIVERSITY ORGANIST AND
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE OF MUSIC
The Music Department (music.duke.edu) and Chapel (chapel.duke.edu) at Duke University in Durham, NC, invite applications for the position of University Organist and Assistant Professor of the Practice of Music, with an anticipated start date in Fall 2025. We are looking for a dynamic and versatile colleague who will contribute to Duke’s vibrant musical community through exceptional teaching, innovative performance, and dedicated service. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in both the academic and spiritual life of the university, upholding the highest standards of artistic and educational excellence while inspiring students, congregants, and the thousands of annual visitors to Duke Chapel.
Position Overview:
The University Organist holds a unique role that bridges both faculty and staff responsibilities. This position involves teaching, performance, and administrative duties across both the Music Department and the Chapel. The role will evolve over time as programs in our departments expand.
Load Division:
50% Music Department
50% Chapel
Reports to:
Department Chair, Music Department
Director of Chapel Music, Chapel
Qualifications:
- A doctoral degree or equivalent professional experience is required.
- Exceptional artistic and pedagogical qualifications.
- Teaching and performing experience.
- Broad artistic expertise, particularly in ensemble work and basso continuo.
- Extensive repertoire knowledge across all musical epochs, including contemporary
music.
- Facility with leadership of hymns and liturgical music from the organ.
- Strong proficiency in historically informed performance practice.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a team setting.
Music Department Responsibilities:
The Duke Music Department seeks an organist with a strong background in harpsichord who is eager to contribute to and expand our early music program. We are looking for a collaborative artist who will enhance the organ and harpsichord studios and foster performance opportunities among colleagues with a shared passion for early music.
- Teach undergraduate and graduate-level organ and harpsichord students including, potentially, in the MA in performance practice.
- Teach one classroom course per year.
- Participate in departmental service activities such as faculty meetings and
committee work.
- Engage in scholarly activities, recitals, recordings, masterclasses, lectures, and
publications.
Chapel Responsibilities:
Duke University Chapel recognizes the creative arts as an expression of human longing for God, and seeks an organist who will contribute to the Chapel’s robust aesthetic life. We are looking for a collegial artist-performer who will enhance the myriad worship services, recitals, and concerts offered by the Chapel, and strengthen our offerings in sacred music education.
- Play for Sunday morning services, holiday services, and university events, primarily but not exclusively during the academic year; these duties are shared with the Chapel Organist.
- Plan, coordinate, and host the Chapel’s organ recital series.
- Collaborate with other Chapel Music staff and Chapel ensembles on additional
programmatic and educational offerings, such as concerts, Evensong and Vespers
services, organ masterclasses, and coaching sessions.
- Regularly participate in the shared administrative work of Chapel Music, including
monthly staff meetings.
Shared Responsibilities:- Supervise the Curator of Organs and Harpsichords.
- Collaborate with the Curator, Chapel Organist, and Director of Chapel Music to
supervise the care, preservation, maintenance, and tuning of the university’s organs and harpsichords, including those on East Campus and in the Divinity School.
Additional Considerations:- This role involves both teaching and administrative responsibilities, reflecting its dual faculty–staff nature.
- This position includes responsibilities beyond the typical academic calendar.
- Background in other genres of music, such as popular music, is welcome.
Application Materials: Applications must include:
- Cover letter (with contact information)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Links to a maximum of 5 solo and collaborative recordings of performances
- One-page statement of teaching philosophy
- Contact information for 5 references (letters will be requested directly for finalists)
Review of Applications:
Applications submitted by November 22, 2024 through Academic Jobs Online will receive full consideration, however the search will be open until the position is filled.
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
