Lecturer: Music Theory and Composition

SENIOR LECTURER / LECTURER in Music Theory and Composition

South African College of Music

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

As one of the largest and most diverse tertiary music institutions in South Africa, the South African College of Music pursues a wide range of musical activities. Alongside the opera school, there is a strong tradition in the field of African, Jazz and Classical music performance as well as musicology, composition and music technology.

We are seeking to appoint on 1 January 2027 (or soon thereafter) a Senior Lecturer/ Lecturer in Music Theory and Composition with an established national profile as a composer, as well as experience in teaching music theory and composition in the Western idiom. The successful candidate will contribute to the teaching of music theory, composition and orchestration across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with a particular emphasis on historical and contemporary compositional practices within the Western art music tradition and its extensions into applied and interdisciplinary contexts.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE:

At Senior Lecturer level:

• MMus in composition or equivalent.


• An established national and emerging international profile as a composer, demonstrated through performances, recordings, publications, commissions, or equivalent professional output.


• Experience in postgraduate supervision.


• A doctoral degree will be advantageous.

At Lecturer level:

• MMus in composition or equivalent


• Established national profile as a composer, demonstrated through performances, recordings, publications, commissions, or equivalent professional output.


• Readiness for postgraduate supervision.

At both levels:

• Experience in teaching undergraduate music theory (harmony, counterpoint, analysis), supported by evidence such as course outlines, teaching evaluations, or assessed student work.


• Demonstrated knowledge of orchestration, instrumentation, and arranging for various ensembles, sufficient to teach undergraduate and postgraduate students.


• Proven keyboard proficiency sufficient for teaching and demonstration.


• Evidence of stylistic versatility, including the ability to engage with applied composition contexts (e.g., film, media, interdisciplinary work).


• Evidence of engagement with a broad range of compositional techniques, from tonal practice to 20th- and 21st-century approaches, through teaching and/or compositional portfolio.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ROLE INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in music theory, composition, and orchestration.


• Postgraduate supervision (analytical and creative components).


• Ongoing research and/or creative output.


• Administrative and departmental contributions.

The 2026 annual cost of employment, including benefits, is R 1, 207 358 at Senior Lecturer level and R 974 ,126 at Lecturer level.

Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• A letter of motivation that speaks to the requirements of the role.


• Curriculum Vitae (CV)


• Evidence of teaching undergraduate music theory (harmony, counterpoint, analysis),


• Copies of relevant qualifications and ID


• The names of three referees, including their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address, and telephone number

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency assessments References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any enquiries for the position to be addressed to Ms. Natasha Khan at [email protected] or Ms. Mary Yiga at [email protected] or 021650 3469

Closing date:    24th July 2026

Website:          https://humanities.uct.ac.za/college-music     

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at www.hr.uct.ac.za/hr/policies/employ_equity

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The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.