Chair of Bass

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Job Description: About Berklee and the Opportunity Berklee College of Music is the world's leading institution for the study of contemporary music and the performing arts. Located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, Berklee serves a diverse community of more than 6,000 students from over 100 countries and is supported by internationally recognized faculty, dedicated staff, and a global alumni network whose nearly 400 Grammy Awards reflect Berklee's lasting impact on the music of our time. Berklee seeks an accomplished musician-educator and experienced academic leader to serve as Chair of the Bass Department . Reporting directly to the Dean of the Performance Division, the Chair provides academic, artistic, and administrative leadership for a dynamic department serving undergraduate and graduate bass principles - and a faculty of bass specialists across private instruction and bass labs. This appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Berklee continues to expand interdisciplinary learning, industry partnerships, and innovative performance opportunities for bass students worldwide. This is a 12-month administrative position with teaching responsibilities as assigned and approved by the Dean. The Chair works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and divisional leadership to advance curricular excellence, support faculty development, promote student success, and ensure responsible stewardship of departmental resources in alignment with Berklee policies, Faculty Union Agreement provisions, and institutional priorities. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking leader deeply grounded in bass performance and pedagogy, with fluency across jazz, classical, rock, R&B, Latin, gospel, and other popular musical styles, and inspired by Berklee's mission to educate adaptable, creative artists prepared for today's and tomorrow's music industry. Department Context and Philosophy The Bass Department offers a comprehensive education in both acoustic and electric bass, recognizing the instrument's central role as the foundation of rhythm and harmony as well as a multi-timbral, polyphonic voice in contemporary music. The curriculum emphasizes: Instrumental technique and performance health Reading and interpretation of fully notated scores and chord-symbol lead sheets Stylistic fluency across jazz, popular, and classical traditions Improvisation and ensemble performance (small ensembles, rhythm sections, big bands, and orchestral settings) Professional performance practices, including appropriate use of music technology Students are prepared not only as instrumentalists, but as adaptable, creative professionals with clear pathways to professional careers and/or graduate-level study. Department programming regularly includes concerts, masterclasses, and clinics with internationally recognized artists and educators. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Academic Leadership & Curriculum Oversight Provide leadership for the academic and artistic direction of the Bass Department in alignment with Berklee's mission and degree requirements. Oversee the development, implementation, review, and assessment of departmental curriculum to ensure academic rigor, consistency, relevance, and alignment with institutional learning outcomes and accreditation expectations. Guide curricular priorities emphasizing instrumental technique, performance health, reading proficiency, stylistic fluency, improvisation, ensemble performance, and professional preparation. Faculty Leadership, Supervision, & Evaluation Provide leadership and supervision for department faculty and staff in accordance with Berklee policies and the Faculty Union Agreement. Support faculty development across all ranks through mentorship, clear expectations, and consistent communication. Conduct faculty evaluations, including classroom observations, review of syllabi and instructional materials, analysis of student feedback, and preparation of written annual evaluations. Ensure fair, transparent, and equitable application of policies related to teaching assignments, workload, promotion, and performance improvement. Lead faculty recruitment and hiring processes in collaboration with the Dean, Human Resources, and in accordance with union guidelines. Student Support & Academic Administration Support student recruitment, orientation, advising, and retention initiatives. Ensure students receive consistent academic guidance and access to appropriate support resources. Foster an inclusive, student-centered learning environment that supports artistic development, well-being, and academic success. Operational & Resource Management Manage the Bass Department's budget, facilities, and operational resources in collaboration with the Dean and divisional staff. Oversee departmental programming including concerts, masterclasses, clinics, visiting artists, and special initiatives. Plan and facilitate effective department meetings and coordinate departmental initiatives fro

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