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Graduate Assistantships
Introduction
Each year, the School of Music offers a number of graduate assistantships to qualified master’s and doctoral students with exceptional ability. Assistantship responsibilities may include teaching, performance, research, or operational support (or some combination thereof).
Most assistantships in the School of Music are quarter-time (.25) appointments and expect—on average—10 hours of work per week. Half-time (.50) appointments (there are fewer positions at this level) expect—on average—20 hours work per week. In addition to the stipend, the educational fees (tuition) for coursework required for degree study will be waived during the appointment period. Full-time enrollment is expected unless permission to drop below full-time is granted by the Director of the School of Music. Other required fees must be paid by the student.
2010-2011 Assistantships
The School of Music anticipates the following openings for graduate assistants in 2010-2011. Review of assistantship applications (see the link above) will begin December 15 and continue until the positions are filled. Assistantship applicants must also have an application for graduate admission on file with the Graduate School.
- Click here for more information on graduate admissions (MU Graduate School).
- Click here for more information on
the requirements for specific music degree programs.
Band/Percussion (1 position, 0.50 time)
Duties may include teaching and administration in the University Band program. This position specifically includes coordination of the drum-line for Marching Mizzou. For more information, contact Dr. Tom O’Neal, Director of Bands, at onealtj@missouri.edu or 573-882-3438.
Choral Conducting (1 position, 0.25 time)
Duties may include conducting a choral ensemble, assisting with rehearsal conducting, and assisting in the management of the choral area. For more information, contact Dr. Paul Crabb, Director of Choral Activities, at crabbp@missouri.edu or 573-882-2071.
Composition (1 position, 0.25 time)
Duties include serving as the distance-learning instructor in the Creating Original Music Project (COMP), a program directed at younger composers throughout Missouri. For more information, contact Dr. William Lackey at lackeyw@missouri.edu or 573-882-4471.
Jazz (1 position, 0.25 time)
This position supports the Jazz Studies area and includes directing one of the big bands and/or combos, as assigned by the Director of Jazz Studies. Duties also include assisting with the management of the Jazz Studies area. Applicants for this assistantship may be M.M. performance majors (on an appropriate jazz instrument), music education majors, or majors in other areas possessing the requisite jazz skills and background. For more information, contact Dr. Arthur White, Director of Jazz Studies, at whitear@missouri.edu or 573-882-3430.
Missouri Youth Orchestra Assistant (1 position, 0.25 time)
Duties include supporting the Missouri Youth Orchestra (MYO), a community youth orchestra based in the School of Music, in a variety of musical and administrative areas. Candidates for this assistantship must be M.M. performance majors (on an orchestral instrument) and will be interviewed by the MYO Director in addition to their audition. For more information, contact Dr. William Lackey at lackeyw@missouri.edu or 573-882-4471.
Music Education (1 or 2 positions)
Master’s or doctoral students may apply. Duties may include teaching music skills or methods courses for elementary and early childhood education majors, and assisting faculty in the music education area. For more information, contact Dr. Wendy Sims, Director of Music Education, at simsw@missouri.edu or 573-882-3238.
Music History (1 position, 0.25 time)
This assistantship is directed at M.A. music history candidates and includes a two-year commitment with different responsibilities and opportunities: (1) assisting music history faculty in the preparation of courses, (2) serving as the teaching assistant for Jazz, Pop and Rock (250 non-majors), (3) supervising a course informed by concert attendance (for non-majors), and (4) teaching two five-week courses, each devoted to the music of a single composer (for non-majors). For more information, contact Dr. Michael J. Budds, Music History Area Coordinator, at buddsm@missouri.edu or 573-882-0927.
New Music Ensemble (3 positions: flute, piano, violin, 0.25 time each)
Part of the Mizzou New Music Initiative, the School of Music is forming a six-member, graduate-level New Music Ensemble to support the School’s composition programs and perform outreach concerts of new music. Cello, clarinet, and percussion positions were filled in Fall 2009, and three more positions—flute piano, and violin—will be filled in Fall 2010. Candidates for these assistantships will normally be M.M. performance majors with a particular interest in new music performance. (Master’s applicants in other areas, such as composition, music theory, etc., my also apply but must demonstrate the requisite performance skills.) The normal M.M. performance audition procedures will be followed for all applicants, though candidates for these assistantships must present an additional, representative work of newer music. Click here for more information about audition repertoire. For more information, contact Dr. William Lackey at lackeyw@missouri.edu or 573-882-4471.
Orchestral Conducting (1 position, 0.25 time)
This position is directed at M.M. orchestral conducting candidates. Duties include rehearsal and performance conducting, and administration in all areas of the orchestra program. For more information, contact Professor Edward Dolbashian at dolbashiane@missouri.edu or 573-882-2736.
Piano (3 positions, 0.25 time)
Each position includes a combination of responsibilities, including possibly teaching of majors in group piano, teaching majors and non-majors in individual applied lessons, studio accompanying, opera accompanying, choral accompanying, assisting in pedagogy library. For more information, contact Dr. Janice Wenger, Keyboard Area Coordinator, at wengerj@missouri.edu or 573-882-0932.
Saxophone (1 position, 0.25 time)
Duties may include teaching of non-majors, assisting with majors’ instruction, and supporting the saxophone studio in a variety of musical and administrative areas. For more information, contact Professor Leo Saguiguit at saguiguitl@missouri.edu or 573-884-1724.
Trumpet (Second trumpet in Faculty Brass Quintet, 1 position, 0.50 time)
Duties include rehearsing and performing with the Faculty Brass Quintet, teaching applied trumpet lessons, and assisting with trumpet ensemble and studio class. For more information, contact Dr. Iskander Akhmadullin, at akhmadullini@missouri.edu or 573-882-8021.
Violin (1 position, 0.25 time)
Duties may include teaching of non-majors, assisting with majors’ instruction, and supporting the violin studios in a variety of musical and administrative areas. For more information, contact Professor Eva Szekely, String Area Coordinator, at szekelye@missouri.edu or 573-882-0930.
Voice (2 positions, 0.25 time)
Duties may include teaching of non-majors, assisting with opera workshop, helping with administration of vocal program. For more information, contact Professor Ann Harrell, Voice Area Coordinator, at harrella@missouri.edu or 573-882-3312.
Selection
Faculty members assigned responsibility for graduate teaching assistants evaluate all applicants for appointment. Special consideration will be given to the applicant’s preparation for teaching or work in the appointment area and to general musical achievement as evidenced by auditions, original compositions, term papers, teaching experience, grade-point average, or personal and professional qualities as seen in letters of reference or in a personal interview. University of Missouri policy for evaluating the English language skills (non-native speakers) of prospective teaching assistants must be followed.
Training
Faculty supervisors will provide orientation and training for all new graduate teaching assistants prior to the beginning of classes in the fall semester. This orientation and training will be sufficient in length and rigor to prepare each new graduate teaching assistant to be successful in the appointment.
Supervision and Evaluation
Graduate assistants who have sole responsibility for teaching a class or lesson, or rehearsing an ensemble, will be evaluated by a faculty supervisor. Multiple approaches will be used to supervise and evaluate graduate teaching assistants, including but not be limited to observation of teaching and the review of course syllabi, class materials, examinations, students’ repertoire and juries, and student evaluations of teaching. The supervising faculty member will provide evaluations to each graduate teaching assistant at the completion of the first semester of teaching, so that the assistant will have a clear understanding of his/her strengths and those areas needing improvement. The faculty supervisor and teaching assistant will engage in frequent and on-going conversations about the teaching/assisting responsibilities.
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