+ Music Education

1031 Moore Musical Arts Center, 419-372-8578

The music education major is designed to prepare students to become elementary and secondary school music teachers. The faculty of the Department of Music Education has identified three primary learning outcomes: effective teaching, musicianship and critical thinking.

Admittance as a music education major
While all music education majors should begin the program of study as entering freshmen (pre-music education), formal admittance does not occur until after enrollment in MUED 240, which is generally taken in the sophomore year. Enrollment in MUED 240 is based on the student’s academic standing and performance achievement. Specifically, these include:

1. GPA of 2.5;
2. GPA of 3.00 for all courses with a MUED prefix;
3. GPA of 2.5 in MUCT 141 Aural Skills I and MUCT 142 Aural Skills II;
4. GPA of 2.5 for all Music Core courses taken prior to MUED 240;
5. Satisfactory progress in applied study (through regularly scheduled applied juries which determine performance achievement).

Formal admittance as a music education major

An admission interview to assess the academic progress and readiness of the student to enter the music education program occurs at the end of MUED 240. The music education faculty will review a portfolio submitted by each student, which documents evidence of skill development in the areas of teaching effectiveness, musicianship, critical thinking, and professional dispositions.

Specializations in music education
All bachelor of music degree specializations in music education prepare students for licensure to teach music in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Three degree specializations include:

• Choral—for those who wish to teach junior and senior high school choral ensembles;
• Instrumental—for those who wish to teach bands and/or orchestras at elementary and secondary levels;
• Classroom/general—for those who wish to teach elementary and secondary school general music.

To graduate in four years, a student must take approximately 34 hours of required coursework each year. Music education majors usually take between 16 and 18 credit hours per semester. The total number of hours for each specialization varies from a minimum of 122 semester hours for the classroom/general specialization.

Selecting a degree specialization
Students are required to select a degree specialization (i.e., choral, instrumental, or classroom/general) as entering freshmen. Selection is determined in consultation with an adviser and is based upon the student’s teaching interests and the proficiency or level of achievement in a specific area of instrumental or vocal performance as determined by the entrance audition.

Students who decide to change from one specialization to another must first consult with the department chair. In addition, they may be required to meet additional professional and performance requirements. Any student changing a specialization must complete at least 10 credit hours in one performance area.

To remain in a degree specialization, students must exhibit teaching competency as judged by the music education faculty.

Degree requirements
All music education degree candidates are subject to the general requirements listed under Academic Policies in this catalog, as well as general requirements listed under bachelor of music degree, none of which is superseded by individual degree requirements.

General studies
Students are required to complete the BG Perspective program, including two courses in natural sciences, two courses in social and behavioral sciences, two courses in humanities and arts, one course in cultural diversity, one BG Perspective elective, and ENG 112 (writing proficiency). At least one of the courses from either the social studies the humanities and arts must contain an international perspective. For specific requirements and a list of courses that satisfy requirements, see BG Perspective curriculum or the college office.

Electives: 3 hour math elective, IPC 102.

Consult the department check sheet and adviser for details.

Music core requirements
All music education majors are expected to complete the music core.

• Music theory—MUCT 151, 152, 251, 252 (8)
• Aural skills—MUCT 141, 142, 241, 242 (8)
• Music literature—MUCT 261, 262, 361 (7)
• Jazz pedagogy—MUSP 219 (2) or Jazz MUCT 237* (3)
• World music—MUCT 233, 234 or 235* (2)

  Total—22-27 hours

  *MUCT 233, 234 and 235 are applicable to the BG Perspective humanities and arts domain and satisfy the international perspective requirement. MUCT 237 is applicable to the BG Perspective cultural diversity in the US domain.

• Other specialization requirements
  • Conducting
    
    • MUSP 305 and 306 required in the junior year before student teaching. Minimum total: 4 hours.
  • Arranging/Orchestration
    • MUCT 315, 320 or 325 taken according to specific specialization. 2 hours.
  • Performance
    
    • 10 hours minimum in one performance medium (e.g., trumpet, violin, voice).
  • Ensembles
    
    • Seven hours of major ensemble. Consult the department adviser for identification of approved ensembles and specific department policy.

Professional specialization requirements (all specializations)

• Music, Field Experience
  • MUED 240. Introductory Music Field Experience. Total: 3 hours. Prerequisites: a GPA of 2.5, a grade of “C” or better in each course with a MUED prefix, satisfactory progress in applied study and a 2.5 GPA in all Music Core courses. C/F hrs.: 32-40.
• Methods
  
  • See specializations below (choral, classroom/general, instrumental).
• Student teaching
  • MUED 497. Eligibility requirements for student teaching are specified under Student teaching in this section of the Undergraduate Catalog. Total: 12 hours.

Additional professional specialization requirements (specific to the specialization)

• Choral specialization (vocal emphasis)
  
  • (MUED 240, 344, 345, 346, 348) MUED 459, MUSP 310, minimum of 4 hours of instrument classes (see additional requirements, instrument classes), 3-5 hours of class piano, functional proficiencies I, II and III and one hour of studio piano.
• Classroom/general specialization
  
  • (MUED 240, 346, 347, 348, 350), 5 hours of instrument classes, 3-5 hours of class piano, functional proficiencies I, and III and one hour of studio piano.
• Instrumental specialization
  
  • (MUED 240, 342, 343-band, 346, 348, 349-strings), 8 hours of instrument classes, 3-5 hours of class piano and functional proficiencies I, II and III.

Students should consult the department adviser and program check sheet for details.

Professional education requirements
To ensure adequate professional preparation for a career in teaching, the following courses are required: EDFI 302, 408; MUED 460. (The prerequisite for EDFI 302 is PSYC 101). EDFI 408 appears as a professional education requirement but may be used instead to fulfill the cultural diversity in the United States requirement.

Performance requirements
In addition to specific course requirements, music education majors must meet the following performance-related requirements.

Performance jury examinations
Students in music education must have a major performance emphasis and must pass an examination in that area at jury examination times. Jury examinations are scheduled at selected times and are posted for each academic year. Students wishing to change their area of performance emphasis must do so with the approval of the chair of music education and the appropriate performance faculty.

Recital
A half recital (or its equivalent) is required of all music education majors. Students must be enrolled for applied study during the semester the recital is presented. The recital may not be given while student teaching. Permission to perform a recital is given by the appropriate performance faculty and is based on the student’s performance at a recital jury examination. Students are encouraged to give a full recital; however, a full recital may only be given with the consent of the performance area faculty.

Ensemble participation
Music education majors are expected to participate in ensembles throughout their undergraduate program except the semester they student teach. Students must acquire seven semesters of ensembles. Consult the department adviser for specific details.

Functional keyboard requirements
Music education majors are required to pass three functional piano proficiency examinations. Proficiency examinations must be passed to fulfill the requirements of the corresponding piano class course. The following skills are required for each proficiency examination:

• Proficiency I: (freshman level) scales, chord progressions, beginning harmonization and sight reading.
• Proficiency II: (sophomore level) improvisation of keyboard accompanying styles, harmonization, score reading and instrument transposition.
• Proficiency III: (sophomore level) classroom, ensemble, and solo accompanying.

All entering freshmen are placed according to their keyboard skills. Students with no keyboard background are placed in the introductory class piano, MUED 150. Students with sufficient keyboard experience are placed in either MUED 151 or MUED 154 depending upon their level of proficiency.

All freshmen are expected to pass Proficiency I by the end of the second semester. Sophomore-level piano course requirements are unique to each specialization in music education. They are specified in the music education handbook and are designed to prepare students for the second and third functional proficiency examinations.

Any of these proficiency examinations may be passed ahead of schedule. Proficiency I must be completed prior to entry into any of the 300-level methods courses. All proficiencies must be passed by the semester prior to student teaching. Summer session is considered equivalent to one semester.

All piano classes must be passed with a grade of “C” or better. This is indicated in the course descriptions. Additional information about functional piano requirements is available from the group piano coordinator. Students are responsible for knowing and meeting all proficiency requirements.

Additional requirements

• Second major—Ordinarily, students in music education do not pursue a second major; however, a second major can be pursued provided the student is willing to take additional credits beyond the minimum required for graduation. Students with this interest should consult the departmental adviser.
  
• Field experiences—Field-based experiences are an essential part of professional teacher preparation. In compliance with state and learned society requirements, students are required to participate in such experiences as a part of certain music education courses beginning in the sophomore year.
  
• Instrument classes—Music education majors pursuing the instrumental specialization are required to take the following seven instrument classes, including voice: MUED 130, 136, 140, 145, 146, 170 and 180. (It is strongly recommended that these courses be taken beginning in the freshman year.) Students in the choral and classroom/general specializations are required to take 4 hours of instrument classes including 1 woodwind, 1 brass and MUED 180 (strings).
  
• Conducting requirements—All music education majors must pass second semester conducting with at least a grade of “C.” Those students receiving a grade of “D” or less will be required to repeat MUSP 306 (conducting).
  
• Methods requirements—Music education majors must pass all required methods courses (MUED 240 and applicable music methods courses) with at least a grade of “C.” Those students receiving a grade of “D” or less will be required to repeat the course(s) in question.
  
• Student teaching—The requirements for student teaching in music are established by the State of Ohio, the College of Education and Human Development and the Department of Music Education. To be eligible for an assignment in student teaching, the student must meet the general requirements of the College of Education and Human Development and those prerequisites established by the Department of Music Education. An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
  
  • Departmental prerequisites—Music requirements for student teaching include the successful completion of MUED 240 and 346 (both with a “C” or better); 343, 345, 347 or 349 (with an “S” as appropriate to the specialization); 342, 344, 346, 348, 350 (all with a “C” or better as appropriate to the specialization); MUSP 306 (“C” or better) and the required functional piano proficiency examinations (with a “C” or better). (Refer to course descriptions for additional details.) Instrumental specialization students should complete the eight-semester-hour instrument class component prior to student teaching.
  • Registration—Each student teacher must register in two places: with the University’s Office of Student Teaching in the College of Education and Human Development and with the coordinator of student teaching in the College of Musical Arts. Students must provide their own transportation to assigned schools. Students without transportation are expected to live in the assigned community. Requests for stations close to the campus because of apartment leases, etc., may not be honored.
  • Station assignment—Students will be assigned to teaching stations and supervisors at the discretion of the coordinator of student teaching. Requested stations or supervisors cannot be guaranteed.
  • Pre-teaching interview—Any school system has the right to interview a prospective student teacher. If the student is not accepted, the coordinator reserves the right to designate a reassignment. If necessary, the coordinator may request that the student seek an interview with school authorities.
  • Radius—The radius for student teacher placement is not more than 50 miles from campus.
  • Withdrawal from student teaching—Once an assignment has been accepted by a school system, a student teacher may not withdraw except in cases of emergency (e.g., extended illness with documentation).
  • Changing semester of teaching—Students requesting to change their assigned semester of student teaching may have to wait one or more semesters if no opening in the semester requested exists.
  • Time requirement—All students must complete the time requirement for student teaching.
  • Written requirements—Student teachers must complete all written requirements connected with their final evaluations.
  • On-campus activities—For a student to be effective, total commitment to teaching is necessary. Students may not take an academic course, present recitals, participate in ensembles or take private lessons during student teaching.
  • Graduate students—Graduate students seeking teaching licensure must meet all undergraduate teaching requirements.
  • Summer student teaching—Student teaching during summer term is not permitted.