Assistant Professor of Music (Cello)

The Department of Music at St. Olaf College invites applications for a full-time tenure track position in Cello at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin August 2027. Responsibilities will include providing applied lessons in cello to music majors and non-majors; teaching string techniques; coaching chamber ensembles; teaching courses in the candidates area of expertise; academic advising; and department- and college-wide service. Candidates with conducting experience may be considered to direct the St. Olaf Philharmonia Orchestra.

Salary: $77200 - $82000

Qualifications
The successful candidate will be a teacher-artist with an emerging national presence and demonstrated ability to teach and perform violin across diverse musical styles. The candidate should be an active participant in the string community and should demonstrate a proven ability to recruit retain and foster an inclusive vibrant undergraduate studio culture. A DMA degree or equivalent experience in cello performance and previous teaching experience at the collegiate level are preferred for this position.

About the Department
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music the Music Department at St. Olaf offers BA and BM degrees and our graduates leave St. Olaf for the nations finest graduate schools and further careers as performers (including with the Metropolitan Opera the Pittsburgh Baltimore Milwaukee St. Louis and Indianapolis Symphonies). With 17 ensembles three of which tour domestically and internationally the Music Department serves approximately 900 students each year. Our faculty include nationally-recognized award-winning teachers performers and composers. The Music Department is highly collaborative and is strongly committed to maintaining our traditions of inclusive excellence. For more information about the department visit strive to be a campus of welcome where students faculty and staff thrive by bringing their full humanitygender identity sexuality race ethnicity national origin socioeconomic class disability religion spirituality and ageto St. Olaf each day. Our goal is to generate conversations and processes that over time create greater clarity transparency trust cooperation consensus respect and measurable outcomes. Practices that support this goal include listening cultivating a growth mindset respecting those with different views being informed by data and understanding that the work is ongoing collaborative organic and ever evolving. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Community and Belongingwebsite to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.

How to Apply
Throughout your materials include how you would contribute to the development of a diverse and inclusive learning community at our college through your teaching research and/or service. A complete application includes the following:

References: Provide contact information for three professional references who can speak to your abilities in teaching and scholarship. Letters will be solicited from references by the search committee for candidates who advance to the interview stage.

Supporting Documents and URLS:

1. Cover letter outlining your qualifications and why you are interested in this particular position
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Graduate transcripts (unofficial)
4. Teaching Statement: A statement detailing your approach to teaching music performance in a liberal arts context that involves both music majors and talented non-majors including your goals as a teacher and plans for continued pedagogical development and successful recruiting for the cello this document please also include links to video recordings of up to three collegiate-level lessons with students at different proficiency levels. Each video should be no more than 30 minutes long.
5. Professional Statement: A statement discussing your approach to professional work (performing conducting etc.) and how you see that work continuing to develop in a liberal arts college environment. This statement should include links to videos of you performing as a soloist and if possible as a chamber musician demonstrating artistic and technical mastery in a variety of literature. Videos need not exceed 30 minutes in total length.

Review of applications will begin on October 19 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by that date will receive fullest consideration. Finalist interviews are expected in January 2027. Questions about the position department or College may be directed to Marty Hodel Search Committee Chair at .