Music

Graduate Teaching Assistants

Graduate Assistantships Available for Competitive Candidates

The music department has a number of Graduate Assistantship positions available each year. While studying with Central’s inspirational faculty assistants also gain valuable experience as performers and teachers.

Graduate Assistant duties require 20 hours per week that may include teaching, coaching, assisting, conducting, and assisting with course delivery and grading. Many of the following areas do not comprise a complete assignment and will be combined to create a full work assignment. Assistantships are one-year positions with the possibility of renewal for a second year. The compensation package includes a stipend plus in-state tuition waiver, health center fee, and health insurance benefits. (A limited number of non-resident tuition waivers are available).

Graduate assistants are normally selected during the months of March and April for the following academic year. For full consideration, applications should be filed before February 1. Later applications will be given consideration if positions become available.

For more information and current compensation figures, contact the CWU Graduate Office at 509-963-3101.

Graduate Assistantships are competitive and are awarded based on musical proficiency and specific skills related to the position. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality of their audition, transcripts from previous institutions, and an interview.

Applicants are accepted from qualified candidates in the following areas of expertise, however, specific assistantship opportunities and duties may vary from year to year.

Contact the faculty member listed below in your area of expertise to arrange an audition and interview.

Ensembles

The Ensemble Graduate Assistants work closely with the ensemble directors providing administrative support with rehearsal logistics and assist with rehearsal.
Applicants should possess strong organizational and communication skills.

Band Area Assistant

• Assist with the Marching Band (Fall).
• Direct the Pep Band (Winter).
• Assist the Director of Bands and Associate Director of Bands with the logistical operation of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic and Concert Bands, including annual Wind Ensemble Festival, conduct the Concert Band, as needed.
• Assist the Director of Bands with undergraduate conducting classes and instrumental music education courses.
• This position is a key attraction for students interested in the Master of Music: Conducting or Music Education specializations.

Faculty Contact: T. André Feagin, Director of Bands

Choral Area Assistant

• Assist Choral Directors with Chamber Choir and University Chorale
• Run sectionals for choral groups
• Assist with administration of Fall Choral Festival
• Assist/Teach choral methods
• This position is a key attraction for students interested in the Master of Music: Conducting or Music Education specializations.

Faculty Contact: Nicole Lamartine, Director of Choral Studies

Orchestra Area Assistant

• Serve as Assistant Conductor of CWU Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra.
• Coordinate annual Orchestra Festival
• Assist the Director of Orchestral Activities with undergraduate conducting classes.
• This position is a key attraction for students interested in the Master of Music: Conducting or Music Education specializations.

Faculty Contact: Nikolas Caoile, Director of Orchestras

Jazz Area Assistant

• Assist Director of Jazz Studies in administration of Jazz Studies area, including Moawad Invitational Jazz Festival
• If necessary and time is available, typical secondary assignment areas, depending upon qualifications, include: assist with band; assist with history of jazz or other general education, music theory/history classes; teach instrumental methods; assist with applied instruction in jazz (e.g., piano, bass).
• This position is a key attraction for students interested in the Master of Music: Conducting, Performance, or Music Education specializations.

Faculty Contact: Keith Karns, Director of Jazz Studies

Piano Assistant

• Teach sections of class piano (MUS 152-4A)
• Assist in Piano area as needed (e.g., Sonatina Festival)
• If necessary and time is available, teach secondary applied lessons and or class piano for non-majors.
• This position is a key attraction for students interested in the Master of Music: Performance or Pedagogy specializations.

Collaborative Piano Assistant

• Accompany/coach applied lessons and performances to support 350+ students in the Applied Lesson sequence (enough work here for many assistants)
• Accompany choral ensembles in rehearsals and performances
• Accompany vocal studio classes and other classes when needed
• This position can be a key attraction for students interested in the newly created Master in Music: Collaborative Piano specialization.

Faculty Contact: Yerin Kim

Composition/Music Theory Assistant

• Teach and assist in the music theory program, including MUS 144-5-6 and corresponding aural skills classes each term, assist with other theory coursework as needed.
• Provide grading and aural skills testing/tutoring support for large-enrollment core music theory curriculum
• This position is a key attraction for students interested in the Master of Music: Composition specialization.

Faculty Contact: JiYoun Chung

Applied Areas

Assistantships can be awarded to graduate students in performance and pedagogy in each area: Brass, Percussion, Strings, Voice and Woodwinds. These positions provide grading and teaching support for large enrollment classes and support to their area as needed. In addition to these duties, the CWU Music Department is committed to providing additional remedial help to students who are not fully prepared for the curriculum. These graduate assistant positions who specialize in each instrumental area increase the tutoring and mentoring services across the department including theory, music history as well as applied studies.

• Provide grading and teaching support for large-enrollment classes.
• Provide area support (Brass, Woodwinds, Strings, Voice, Percussion) as needed
• Provide additional lessons and sectionals for remedial students in their area of expertise
• Perform in ensembles to raise the quality of the educational experience for all students
• Teach methods courses when appropriate
• This position is a key attraction for students interested in Master in Music: Performance, Pedagogy, or Music Education specializations.

Faculty Contacts

Apply Now!

Graduate Office