Assistant Professor Composition Jobs in Sacramento, CA

COLLEGE: Arts & Letters

DEPARTMENT: School of Music

POSITION TITLE: Assistant Professor of Music (Latin American Music)

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: 

The Sacramento State School of Music prepares students to excel as artists, educators, and engaged citizens through individualized instruction, collaborative ensemble experiences, and a comprehensive curriculum in music and the liberal arts. We cultivate a welcoming and inclusive community that values diverse perspectives and brings them to life through performances, events, and meaningful engagement with our region. Our faculty are accomplished artists and teachers, and our students and ensembles are recognized for their high level of achievement both regionally and nationally.

We offer the following degrees and certificates:

• Bachelor of Arts in Music
• Bachelor of Music (Instrumental, Keyboard, Voice, Theory/Composition, Music Education, Jazz Studies, Jazz Education)
• Master of Music (Conducting, Composition, Performance)
• Minor in Music
• Performer's Certificate

POSITION DETAILS: 

Sacramento State seeks a highly skilled and inspiring musician/educator for a full-time, tenure-track position in Latin American Music beginning in January 2027. This position reflects the University's commitment to inclusive excellence, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and the musical traditions that reflect and serve our large Latinx/e and Hispanic student population. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

JOB DUTIES:

The successful candidate will demonstrate potential to serve a highly diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students as a progressive, inclusive, and creative educator who will ensure the visibility and growth of Hispanic and Latinx/e musical traditions within the School of Music, the University, and the Sacramento region.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to effectively lead both a Mariachi Ensemble and a Latin Jazz Ensemble at a high artistic and pedagogical level. Responsibilities will also include teaching, recruiting, and providing leadership in the candidate's relevant applied performance area consistent with School needs. The successful candidate will actively contribute to the development of inclusive and culturally responsive programming and demonstrate a strong commitment to meeting the needs of diverse learners.

Additional courses in Latin American music, musicianship, theory, or music history may be assigned in accordance with the candidate's qualifications and the evolving needs of the School of Music.

Other duties may include organizing on-campus concerts; traveling to regional festivals and conferences; recruiting both students and potential colleagues from diverse backgrounds; and serving in various faculty service roles. Successful applicants will demonstrate competence in creating inclusive learning environments and actively engaging the campus and Sacramento-area communities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree or higher in Music or a closely related field.
• Significant professional achievement in Latin American music traditions.
• Record of professional performance/recordings demonstrating artistic distinction (e.g., releases, festival invitations, commissions, awards).
• Demonstrated success teaching in classroom settings at the collegiate level.
• Evidence of strong interest and experience in student recruitment, community outreach, and leadership in Latin American music.
• Evidence of effective applied instruction at the collegiate level in the candidate's area(s) of expertise.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Specialization in applied brass, woodwinds, percussion, and/or keyboards in jazz and/or classical styles.
• Demonstrated potential for effective service on Sacramento State School of Music committees.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse student population and to embrace cultural diversity in teaching, performance, and service.

APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS:

Review of application will begin on July 1, 2026. Position remains open until filled.

Applicants must submit:

• A letter of interest indicating Assistant Professor of Music (Latin American Music).
• A detailed curriculum vitae listing qualifications and teaching experience.
• A brief essay describing inclusive teaching practices and how your work aligns with Sacramento State's identity as an HSI. Please upload this under "Diversity Statement"
• Unofficial transcripts of highest degree earned.
• Sample syllabi.
• Portfolio document with links to audio and/or video performances.
• The names, titles, and telephone numbers of three to five professional references who may be contacted.

OTHER SPECIFICS ABOUT THE POSITION:

Individuals committed to serving students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, such as first-generation college students, BIPOC students, students with disabilities, and students with intersectional identities through teaching, mentoring, service, or administration, are especially encouraged to apply.

About Sacramento State

Sacramento State is located in the heart of California's capital city, five miles from State Capitol. The lush, 300-acre campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the "Farm-to-Fork Capital," is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half of a million. Sacramento State proudly serves as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and is recognized by the California Legislative Assembly as a Black-Serving Institution. The university enrolls around 31,000 students from the Greater Sacramento Region, throughout California, across the nation, and around the world. Our 1,800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission:

"As California's capital university, we transform lives by preparing students to lead, serve, and succeed. Sacramento State will be a welcoming, caring, and inclusive leader in education, innovation, and engagement." As the regional hub of higher education, Sacramento State is dedicated to learning and student success; teaching, research, scholarship and creative activity; justice, diversity, equity and inclusion; resource development and sustainability; dedicated community engagement, and wellness and safety.

As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code, Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and guests are welcome and valued.  Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination, but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities, life experiences, and perspectives that enrich our community, teaching and learning. 

To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.

Equal Employment Opportunity
California State University, Sacramento is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.

It is the policy of California State University, Sacramento to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you need a disability related reasonable accommodation as part of the application and/or interviewing process, visit https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/human-resources/benefits/reasonable-accomodation.html.

The University is committed to creating an education and working environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. For more information on mandatory training for new employees, visit https://www.csus.edu/people-climate/human-resources/learning-development/support/csu-learn.html.  

Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at https://www.csus.edu/clery . 

The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at clery@csus.edu.

Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

Background Check Disclaimer

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University, Sacramento employees who apply for the position.

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Effective May 2023, per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all California State University, Sacramento employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications. 

Out of State Employment

Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1, 2022 must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person.

Eligibility Verification

Candidate will be required to provide official transcripts of their highest degree earned and must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.. California State University, Sacramento is not a sponsoring agent for non-tenure track (temporary/lecturer) faculty for H1-B Visa.

California State University, Sacramento is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the "Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers" issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.