Music Education

B.Mus

The Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education is a five-year program designed to prepare students for teaching careers in New Jersey's public schools, private or out-of-state schools. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive both the Bachelor of Music degree and an initial licensure from the state of New Jersey.

We believe our curriculum makes our program the most comprehensive preparation available to New Jersey's music education majors. Our state licensure requires that you be prepared for all facets and levels of music teaching, and our program will do just that.

Music education majors comprise the largest concentration within the Cali School, and are active in all facets of the school. They are expected to perform on a high level and participate in a variety of ensembles. Our music education students are never treated as second class citizens in terms of performance opportunities. It is our hope that this attitude carries over to life after college; we want to foster music educators who are active in their musical fields throughout their lives.

The Music Education program is four-tiered: First, as Bachelor of Music candidates, students are responsible for a large component of liberal arts, or general education requirements, such as history, foreign language, contemporary issues, math, and science. Second, as music majors, there are broad-based musical requirements, such as applied study, keyboard study, ensemble participation, music theory, and music history. Third, there is a series of requirements focused specifically on music education, which provide the necessary pedagogical techniques for working in the context of classroom, choral, and instrumental programs. And finally, there is a program of courses that are applicable across all educational concentrations, involving topics such as educational philosophy, educational psychology, democratic teaching principles, and critical thinking.

• Music Major, Music Education concentration (Guitar primary) with Teacher Certification in Music (Preschool-Grade 12) (B.Mus.)
• Music Major, Music Education concentration (Instrumental primary) with Teacher Certification in Music (Preschool-Grade 12) (B.Mus.)
• Music Major, Music Education concentration (Keyboard primary) with Teacher Certification in Music (Preschool-Grade 12) (B.Mus.)
• Music Major, Music Education concentration (Voice primary) with Teacher Certification in Music (Preschool-Grade 12) (B.Mus.)

Following is a brief year-by-year listing of program highlights:

Year One

• First year of music theory and ear training
• Begin private instruction on instrument or voice
• Begin secondary keyboard study (except keyboard majors)
• All instrumental majors study secondary voice
• Perform in major ensembles (band, choir, or orchestra)
• Initial liberal arts requirements, such as math and English
• Initial education requirements, such as psychology
• First field experience course

Year Two

• Second year of music theory and ear training
• Continued private instruction on instrument or voice
• Completion of secondary keyboard study
• Initial courses in music education, including field exposure
• Two courses in string techniques, one in percussion
• Two courses in music history
• Basic conducting course
• Continued major ensemble performance
• Opportunities for chamber ensembles, small groups, etc.
• Continued exposure to education requirements
• Application to MSU's Teacher Education program

Year Three

• One semester of private study
• Course in Choral methods and materials
• Two courses in brass techniques
• Courses in jazz improvisation and jazz pedagogy
• Final offering of theory sequence - orchestration/arranging
• Continued ensemble performance opportunities
• Lab ensemble requirement
• Important year of liberal arts courses, including foreign language, history, and science
• Initial offering in the professional education sequence

Year Four

• One semester of private study
• Music classroom field experience placement
• MUED courses in classroom methods and materials, instrumental methods and materials, and conducting
• Two courses in woodwind techniques
• Course in marching band or guitar, as applicable
• Continued ensemble performance opportunities
• Continued sequence of liberal arts courses
• Important courses in the professional education sequence, including teaching for critical thinking

Year Five

• Final semester of private study, culminating in a senior recital
• One full semester dedicated to the student teaching experience and related seminar sessions
• Built-in scheduling space to complete general education requirements and electives, as well as any other requirements not completed earlier

For more information, contact:
Prof. Marissa Silverman
silvermanm@mail.montclair.edu

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