The Department of Music at the University of Prince Edward Island has openings for Sessional Instructors for the Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 semesters. These positions are subject to final budgetary approval. Individuals qualified to teach the following courses are encouraged to apply. Please note that applicants on the Sessional Roster of the Department of Music will be given priority.

Please note: the course offered below will be taught in person, unless otherwise specified as an online course.

FULL YEAR 2024-2025

MUS-1150/1170 – Aural Skills I & II

MUS-1150 aims to develop comprehensive musical fluency: a thinking ear and a hearing mind. The instructor will guide students work toward mastering fundamental musicianship skills, including: perception and performance of diatonic melodic material; perception and performance of non-complex rhythms in all meters; and basic contextual listening, ensemble, and improvisation.

Classes: 2024 Fall Term M/W/Th 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM (3 credit hours)

MUS-1170 builds on the foundation of MUS-1150 and is designed to strengthen fluency in sight singing and dictation while introducing more complex metrical, rhythmic, and tonal patterns.

Classes: 2025 Winter Term M/W/Th 12:30 PM - 1:20 PM (3 credit hours)

Qualifications: The successful applicant(s) will hold a minimum of a master’s degree with significant experience in the practice of music theory and/or aural skills.

MUS-2150/2170 – Aural Skills III & IV 

MUS-2150 aims to develop advanced musicianship skills, including: perception and performance of chromatic and modulating melodies, and of non-traditional and atonal collections; perception and performance of complex rhythms; and advanced contextual listening, ensemble, and improvisation.

Classes: 2024 Fall Term M/W/F 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM (3 credit hours)

MUS-2170 continues the development of advanced musicianship skills introduced in MUS-2150, focusing on the consolidation of listening and transcription, sight singing and improvisation in both individual and ensemble contexts; and the development of strategies for handling complex contemporary idioms.

Classes: 2025 Winter Term M/W/F 11:30 AM - 12:20 PM (3 credit hours)

Qualifications: The successful applicant(s) will hold a minimum of a master’s degree with significant experience in the practice of music theory and/or aural skills.

MUS-2450/2460 – Percussion Techniques

These practical courses introduce the students to the performance and pedagogy of the instruments of the percussion family. The instructor will guide students towards: developing a rudimentary performance ability on, and pedagogical understanding of various percussion instruments; learning effective methods for teaching someone how to do the same; understanding the functioning and necessary technique for effective performance on each instrument; and becoming familiar with standard percussion-related materials.

Qualifications: The successful applicant will hold a minimum of a master’s degree in percussion with significant experience in the practice of percussion pedagogy and performance.

Classes: T/Th 11:30 AM - 12:20 PM (both terms) (2 credit hours)

MUS-4450/4460 – Brass Techniques

These practical courses introduce the students to the performance and pedagogy of the instruments of the brass family. The instructor will guide students towards: developing a rudimentary performance ability on, and pedagogical understanding of various brass instruments; learning effective methods for teaching someone how to do the same; understanding the functioning and necessary technique for effective performance on each instrument; and becoming familiar with standard brass-related materials.

Qualifications: The successful applicant will hold a minimum of a master’s degree in brass with significant experience in the practice of brass pedagogy and performance.

Classes: T/Th 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM (both terms) (2 credit hours)

MUS-4530/4540 – Secondary Music Education Methods

These courses examine music in the junior and senior high schools with emphasis on methods and materials for general music, choral, and instrumental classes. The teaching of musicianship through performance is examined, as is the growing trend toward integrating performance, analysis, and composition in secondary schools.

Qualifications: The successful applicant will hold a minimum of a master’s degree in Music and/or Education, with significant school-based experience in a Canadian public K-12 system.

Additional application materials: In addition to the items listed further below, please submit a one-page statement of teaching philosophy and methodology, and prospective detailed course syllabi.

Classes: M/W 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM (both terms) (2 credit hours)

Applied Music (Clarinet)

Duties include individual studio instruction of the techniques and artistry of clarinet performance.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will hold a minimum of a master’s degree in clarinet performance, with substantial experience as a performer, and teaching experience at the university level.

Classes: Scheduled with each student (0.5 credit hours per student)

Applied Music (Saxophone)

Duties include individual studio instruction of the techniques and artistry of saxophone performance.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will hold a minimum of a master’s degree in saxophone performance, with substantial experience as a performer, and teaching experience at the university level.

Classes: Scheduled with each student (0.5 credit hours per student)

Applied Music (Percussion)

Duties include individual studio instruction of the techniques and artistry of percussion performance.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will hold a minimum of a master’s degree in percussion performance, with substantial experience as a performer, and teaching experience at the university level.

Classes: Scheduled with each student (0.5 credit hours per student)

Applied Music (Classical Guitar)

Duties include individual studio instruction of the techniques and artistry of classical guitar performance.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will hold a minimum of a master’s degree in classical guitar performance, with substantial experience as a performer, and teaching experience at the university level.

Classes: Scheduled with each student (0.5 credit hours per student)

Applied Music (Jazz Guitar)

Duties include individual studio instruction of the techniques and artistry of jazz guitar performance.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will hold a minimum of a master’s degree in jazz performance, with substantial experience as a performer, and teaching experience at the university level.

Classes: Scheduled with each student (0.5 credit hours per student)

Applied Music (String Bass)

Duties include individual studio instruction of the techniques and artistry of string bass performance.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will hold a minimum of a master’s degree in music, with substantial experience as a performer, and teaching experience at the university level.

Classes: Scheduled with each student (0.5 credit hours per student)

Qualifications:

Unless specified otherwise above, applicants must hold a minimum of a master’s degree in music with substantial experience related to the respective course content. Please note that applicants on the Sessional Roster of the Department of Music will be given priority.

Application Instructions:

Please submit a letter of application outlining the specific course(s) you wish to teach and how your background is relevant, an updated C.V., and the names and contact information of two current references to:

Department of Music
University of Prince Edward Island
Email: music@upei.ca

UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute. UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

Closing date for applications is August 25, 2024.