The School of Arts Royal Conservatoire Antwerp of the AP University College Antwerp has an open vacancy for the position of teaching assignment Organ Professor (classical music)
Deadline for application: 15 November 2023
Starting date: September 2024
1. Screening of the job market
The Royal Conservatoire Antwerp of the AP University College Antwerp organizes a screening of the job market for the teaching assignment Organ Professor (classical music).
2. Who can apply?
This is an open screening, in other words, staff members of the Royal Conservatoire – AP University College Antwerp as well as external individuals are welcome to apply.
3. Job description
To train creative musicians through individual and group-oriented classes, rehearsals, pedagogical projects, research, etc.
4. Profile
The candidate:
- is an artistic personality, established both nationally as well as internationally, as a soloist and chamber musician;
- combines artistry with pedagogical talent and can demonstrate his/her pedagogical skills (please include supporting documents as part of your application);
- shows great enthusiasm, which is passed on to the students, allows sufficient room for self-development of the students and motivates them;
- is proficient in both basso continuo and classical liturgy;
- has a good network with regard to the Belgian organ venues;
- has an affinity with other keyboard instruments;
- has an extensive list of recordings as an organ player;
- is interwoven or has close relations with the Belgian music scene and the Belgian art education system;
- has relevant artistic and pedagogical references as a team player (evidence must be enclosed in the application);
- is open to collegial cooperation in the context of pedagogical projects;
- is experienced in or open to interdisciplinary collaborations;
- is interested in deepening his/her artistic practice through academic research and is prepared to stimulate artistic research among students;
- is flexible and committed.
The candidate:
- lives or works in Belgium or is willing to work in Belgium
- is committed to the philosophy of the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp AP University College
- has a fluent knowledge of Dutch and English or is willing to become proficient in both
- for international candidates: has a European nationality or has a work permit for Belgium (proof of this must be submitted in the application)
5. Selection criteria - Procedure
Phase 1 – please send in your application by November the 15th 2023 (9.00 a.m.)
Interested candidates are requested to submit:
- a letter of motivation;
- curriculum vitae, including a list of concerts and recordings;
- three written artistic references relating to the appearance and artistic career as an organist (i.e. letters of recommendation);
- proof of European nationality or work permit for Belgium;
- some written pedagogical references or proof of pedagogical assignments, preferably at higher education level;
- a teaching statement (max 2 pages (A4)) on the candidate’s personal vision regarding the artistic-pedagogical trajectory they wish to realize within the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp.
Phase 2 – first selection based on application:
A first selection by the Artistic board of Classical Music will take place based on the submitted documentation. The artistic board can decide to involve additional experts to make this selection.
Phase 3 – screening on January the 29th and 30th 2024
Selected candidates will be invited to participate in a screening test, which will be evaluated by a commission comprising of internal and external experts. The screening consists of the following parts, divided over the two days:
- a public recital: performance of works or excerpts of choice on 2 different instruments (30 min to be divided freely):
o at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp: Patrick Collon organ from 1977 *
o in the Brabantse Olijfberg in Antwerp, Lange Winkelstraat 5: Walcker 1905 **
- a public lesson with 2 students of different level and with different repertoire: 1 student at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp and 1 student at the Brabantse Olijfberg
- an interview that will include, but not be limited to, the written motivation, the chosen compositions, the organ repertoire, the view on the study methodology and the content and structure of the curriculum, the evaluation of students, (class) concerts, a case study, etc.
* See detailed info on the Patrick Collon organ
** See Detailed info on the Walcker organ
The following components will be considered for the ranking of the candidates by the commission:
- the submitted application
- the public lessons
- the pedagogical experience
- the interview
- the recital
- the artistic personality
The screening commission will write a motivated report on the result of the screening, and this will contain the ranking of the candidates.
Phase 4 – possible employment:
Based on the results of this screening, the artistic board will consider the possibilities for a possible employment and will conduct the necessary negotiations in that regard.
If this results in employment, the candidate will be offered a remuneration as a guest professor. The assignment volume of this contract (amount of employment) will be calculated based on the number of students: depending on the actual number of students enrolled in the class, the salary will be calculated proportionally.
If no candidates apply for this screening, or if none of the candidates applied are ranked by the screening commission, or if the interviews for possible employment do not result in a positive recommendation, the artistic staff can initiate employment interviews with a candidate lecturer outside this screening procedure to temporarily fill in the vacancy.
In that case, the external candidate-teacher will be evaluated at the end of the academic year, with the assessment proceeding in accordance with (phase 3 of) the usual screening procedure.
6. Practical information
Interested candidates are requested to submit the application (description: see Phase 1) by mail to conservatorium@ap.be before November the 15th 2023 (9.00 a.m.).
Further inquiries should be directed to:
Inge Simoens, Head of Classical Music, inge.simoens@ap.be or tel. +32 473 86 22 02
More information on the Music program can be found here. The screening regulations can be consulted here (only in Dutch).