The Yale Institute of Sacred Music (ISM) and Yale Divinity School (YDS) invite applications for a faculty position with the interdisciplinary program in Music and the Black Church who will also serve as its Associate Director. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, or Professor in the Practice, depending on education and professional experience, for 3–5-year terms, beginning as early as January 1, 2026 and renewable upon successful reviews. The position is for a scholar and musician to teach courses and develop student ensembles (choral and instrumental) focused on Black sacred music with particular emphasis on the Gospel tradition, who will also share administrative duties for the program. Since its 2021 founding, Music and the Black Church has presented a host of courses, symposia, and concerts in addition to launching initiatives like the Church Music Skills program, which trains students in gospel voice, keyboards, and percussion. The successful candidate will provide musical and intellectual leadership by pursuing an artistic/scholarly agenda, guiding the overarching planning and development of the Program, supporting student advising, organizing events and lectures, partnering with other ISM and Divinity School programs, and fostering and strengthening connections with the broader Yale and New Haven communities. The successful candidate is expected to teach two courses per year that center the practice of Black Sacred Music as well as direct the ensembles in a robust schedule of concerts, touring, and recording.
Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline is required, but graduate training in both music and religion is highly preferred. Significant and celebrated experience in Black Sacred Music, is also expected. Three to five years college/university teaching experience strongly preferred.
Applicants should submit to Interfolio a cover letter, curriculum vitae, five videos of representative performances, and names of three persons from whom letters of reference may be obtained. The position will remain open until it is filled. Questions may be directed to search committee manager Rachel Segger at rachel.segger@yale.edu.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives.
Additionally, in accordance with this Policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions; race; color; national or ethnic origin; religion; age; disability; protected veteran status, or other protected classes as set forth in federal and Connecticut law.
Professional Conduct Review for New Faculty Hires
The final candidate, upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment/faculty appointment, may be required to disclose whether they are, or have been, the subject of any disciplinary proceeding (investigation, hearing, etc.) at previous institutions or employers, and may also be subject to a background screening. Candidates who materially misrepresent information on their resume or other application materials are ineligible for hire/appointment. Final candidates may also be required to sign a release to allow Yale to solicit information regarding any substantiated conduct violations from current and/or past employers.
