Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz StudiesThe University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies.
Position DetailsLocation Hattiesburg
118 College Drive Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001
United States
Division School of Music
Position Type Faculty
Employment Status Full Time
Grant Funded No
Pay Grade Generic Grade
Posting Close Date December 1, 2026
Special Instructions to ApplicantsRequired Documents:Cover letter addressing the candidate's qualifications, experience, vision for leading a contemporary collegiate Jazz Studies program, and potential to contribute to a modern music curriculum Curriculum vitae Contact information for four professional references Video recordings of rehearsals and/or ensemble instruction Video or audio recordings of performances
(Please submit all audio or video via YouTube or Vimeo links in a Word file or PDF)
Supporting Materials:Additional materials may be requested at a later date.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).
Job SummaryThe School of Music at the University of Southern Mississippi invites applications for the position of
Director of Jazz Studies.
This nine-month, tenure-track position will begin in August 2027.
The Southern Miss School of Music enjoys a longstanding national and international reputation for musical excellence. Its accredited programs provide opportunities for musical and professional growth at the undergraduate through the doctoral levels. Our diverse student body works with distinguished faculty members who perform on world-class stages and bring their rich experiences to our Hattiesburg campus every day. Ensembles include the Southern Chorale, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, Southern Opera and Musical Theatre, Jazz Lab Bands, and numerous outstanding studio ensembles. Students regularly perform at regional, national, and international events, attend master classes with internationally known guest artists, and become award-winning teachers, performers, and creators around the globe.
The Jazz Studies program has been in existence for over 50 years. Its ensembles include two big bands and several diverse combos, including the award-winning Southern Miss Jazztet. It has hosted many outstanding artists including Gregory Tardy, Joel Frahm, The KC Chamber Jazz Quintet, and the Amina Figarova Jazz Sextet. Notable guest artists who have performed with Jazz Lab Band 1 include Ellis Marsalis, Jeff Coffin, Jovino Santos Neto, John Fedchock, Carl Allen, and Mike Clark.
We seek a dynamic musician, educator, and program builder with a forward-looking vision for jazz education and a demonstrated commitment to preparing students for an evolving professional music landscape.
The successful candidate will provide artistic, curricular, and administrative leadership for the Jazz Studies program and will play a central role in its continued growth and development. The Director of Jazz Studies will lead an active and visible program that honors the traditions and history of jazz while embracing contemporary practices, emerging technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, entrepreneurship, and the diverse ways musicians build sustainable careers in the twenty-first century.
Recruitment and program growth will be a significant priority of this position. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain an active recruitment strategy; cultivate relationships with prospective students, school music programs, community colleges, professional musicians, alumni, and other partners; and establish a strong regional and national presence for the Jazz Studies program.
The program includes large and small ensembles as well as courses in performance, improvisation, theory, arranging, and history. Jazz ensembles and most core jazz courses are open to all majors, so the director works with students from both the School of Music and broader university.
Professionally, the Director of Jazz Studies will maintain an active record of creative activity as a performer, composer, arranger, or some combination of these. That record should reach regional, national, and international audiences, consistent with the tenure and promotion expectations of a comprehensive school of music at a Carnegie R1 research institution. This full-time, nine-month, tenure-track appointment comes at the rank of Assistant Professor.
For full consideration, applications must be submitted by
November 16, 2026.
Questions may be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Joseph E. Jones (
joseph.e.jones@usm.edu).
Primary Duties and Responsibilities- Provide artistic and administrative leadership for the Jazz Studies program, including developing a clear vision for its continued growth and distinction
- Direct jazz ensembles and jazz combos as assigned, maintaining a high standard of performance
- Create meaningful performance opportunities on and off campus for students and increase the regional and national visibility of the Jazz Studies program
- Teach courses in jazz appropriate to the candidate's expertise and the needs of the school
- Develop and implement a comprehensive recruitment strategy, including regular engagement with prospective students, school programs, community colleges, festivals, conferences, guest artists, and other recruitment opportunities
- Encourage innovative programming and creative projects that reflect both traditions in jazz and innovations in contemporary music
- Collaborate with other school and academic disciplines, professional musicians, arts organizations, and community partners
- Cultivate guest artist residencies, festivals, clinics, touring opportunities, recording projects, and other initiatives that enhance the student experience and profile of the program
- Teach, mentor, and advise graduate students in jazz, developing appropriate curricula related to the area
- Oversee management of scholarship and operating budgets for the area
- Coordinate with administration the teaching assignments of adjunct faculty and graduate assistants
- Maintain an active professional profile as a performer, educator, scholar, composer/arranger, producer, or other creative practitioner
- Foster an inclusive and collaborative culture that supports artistic excellence as well as student achievement, retention, and professional development
- Participate in school, college, university service as appropriate
Minimum QualificationDMA in jazz studies, music performance, or a closely related field Demonstrated record of excellence as a jazz performer, educator, conductor/director, composer/arranger, or other jazz professional Demonstrated experience directing jazz ensembles and/or coaching small ensembles Evidence of successful teaching at the collegiate, secondary, or comparable professional level Demonstrated knowledge of jazz history, repertoire, performance practices, and pedagogy Evidence of or potential to recruit, mentor, and retain students Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, administrators, professional musicians, and community partners Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Familiarity with (or ability to learn) Canvas, the university's online learning management systems (LMS).
- Familiarity with (or ability to learn) Microsoft Office, including Outlook and Teams.
- Familiarity with university-level recruitment and/or retention strategies.
Preferred QualificationsSuccessful assistance in recruiting students and building or growing a collegiate jazz program Experience developing innovative curricula or programs that respond to changes in the professional music industry Evidence of successful interdisciplinary collaborations and/or partnerships with professional and community organizations Experience incorporating contemporary commercial music, popular music, global influences, or other complementary styles and practices within a jazz curriculum Professional profile as a performer, educator, conductor, composer/arranger, producer, or creative artist Collegiate teaching and ensemble-directing experience Experience teaching or mentoring students in music entrepreneurship, career development, audience development, marketing, branding, project management, or other aspects of professional musicianship Experience with participating in festivals, guest artist programs, tours, recordings, community engagement initiatives, or other high-impact projects Skills and/or experience with fundraising, grant writing, donor cultivation, or development of external partnerships Budget management skills and/or experience
About The University of Southern MississippiSince our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions.
Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.
We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit
www.usm.edu.
The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.
