About us: Harper College was established by referendum in 1965 and opened its doors in September 1967. Named after Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago, the College carries forward this legacy of innovation in education.
Today, Harper College stands as one of the nation's premier community colleges and one of the largest, serving approximately 29,000 students annually in Chicago's northwest suburbs. Our academic programs are designed to prepare students for rewarding careers and seamless transfer to four-year universities. Harper offers a wide range of associate degree and certification programs, advanced career tracks, workforce training, professional development opportunities, continuing education classes, accelerated degree options for adults, and developmental education programs.
At Harper College, we are committed to facilitating active learning and fostering the knowledge, critical thinking, and life/work skills necessary for participation in our global society. We collaborate with our community partners to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and economic fabric of our district. We believe that excellence in education must thrive within an ethical environment of integrity and respect. We recognize that the strength of our society is rooted in diversity, and it is through synergy that we achieve excellence. Our core values--Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence--guide everything we do.
For the second consecutive time, Harper College is a semifinalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's most prestigious recognition for community colleges that are attaining high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Latine students and those from lower-income backgrounds.
Twenty colleges are vying for the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program's 2025 Prize. Harper was also one of the 25 semifinalists for the 2023 prize.
Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
In 2023, Harper College was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.
This designation provides federal funding to enhance educational programs and support services for Latine and underrepresented students.
Latine students make up about 30% of Harper's enrollment, reflecting the College's pride in its HSI status.
Equity and Diversity Award
Harper College received the 2023 Equity and Diversity Award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA).
The award honors leadership in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity for underrepresented groups.
Harper previously won this award in 2017
Schedule Information: The successful candidate is expected to teach 30 contact hours each year in the Music Department. In addition to teaching 30 contact hours per academic year, a full-time faculty member serves on departmental, divisional and institutional committees; holds six office hours per week (some of which must be on campus); and pursues professional development opportunities related to discipline and pedagogy. Evening and weekend instruction may be required. Instruction may take place in face to face, online, blended and flex formats.
Weeks per fiscal year: Faculty are covered under a 9-month contract period (August thru May) - We seek a full-time colleague to begin August 12, 2026.
Benefits: Health, Dental, Life & Disability Insurance; Sick and Holiday pay; Personal Business; Educational Assistance: Tuition Waivers at Harper & Professional Expense
Position Description and Duties:
The Music Department at Harper College is actively seeking a student-centered diverse pool of candidates to fill a full-time faculty position specializing in directing ensembles, musicianship, and teaching music core courses. Successful candidates will assume responsibilities that encompass a broad spectrum of courses, encompassing, but not restricted to directing ensembles as well as teaching applied music and music core courses such as music theory and aural skills.
The AFA in Music and AFA in Music Production programs provides musicianship skills, theory, and proficiency with music technology essential to equipping students to pursue careers, and transfer to 4 year programs, in music performance, composition, arranging, music education, and more. Over the past 5 years, the Music Department has made great strides in updating the curriculum in our AFA in Music to have a greater focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as integrating skills with music production technology - we have already made these same commitments to our Music History and Literature Gen Ed courses. Our next phase is to focus these initiatives on our music ensemble and performance areas by bringing in someone with extensive experience as a director, musician, and entrepreneur that will support our mission. We need to ensure students performing in our ensembles are learning music from eclectic cultures and communities while incorporating student-centered learning, and teaching strong musicianship skills needed to help students transfer to 4-year programs and begin their careers in music. Furthermore, this candidate will help oversee applied music duties such as organizing juries, assisting with repertoire classes, overseeing course outcome updates in our applied music syllabi, and helping curate extracurricular events such as the Jazz Invitational, and the Jazz Festival.
Harper College provides excellent facilities to students and faculty in the Music program. The college has the following labs and facilities as part of the learning environment: Performing Arts Center, large ensemble rooms, music score library, a large-format audio studio, a fully equipped computer lab, a keyboard lab, and various rooms fit for private lesson instruction.
The successful candidate will be able to teach a wide variety of introductory courses to students of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of college readiness using traditional and alternative delivery methods. We encourage interested candidates to familiarize themselves with our course offerings. This position teaches a standard load of fifteen (15) credit hours per semester (30 credits per academic year) consisting chiefly of directing ensembles as well as teaching theory of music, aural skills, music literature courses such as Introduction to Jazz, and music business courses. This may include reassigned time to be given for chair/coordinator duties. Classes may be offered in day, evening, and/or online modalities and may also have the opportunity to teach in the, Honors Program, Social Justice Studies Program and "linked" courses (through the college's Learning Communities Program).
Candidates should possess expertise in areas such as directing/conducting and creating ensembles.
Educational Requirements: Master's degree in music or related field
Experience Requirements: The following are preferred knowledge, skills, and experiences for a successful candidate:
Demonstrated pedagogical skills with 2 years of collegiate teaching experience.
Experience in directing instrumental ensembles
Experience as a performing professional musician
Application Review Date: Applications are accepted until the position is filled though priority will be given to applications received on or before December, 1st 2025.
*You will not be able to complete the application without attaching the following documents:
CV/Resume (Does not substitute for completed application)
Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from Regionally accredited institutions
A one page single-spaced statement of your teaching philosophy. In your teaching philosophy, please include how you approach classroom management, how you assess students, and how you use instructional technology.
*Official transcripts required upon hire.
*Employment is contingent upon a Criminal Background Check
*Employment Sponsorship is not available
Harper College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an inclusive learning and working environment where individual differences and identities are respected, valued and embraced. We encourage women, people from historically underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.
