Music Education

Curriculum

As a music education major at the University of Mount Union, you will study the history, theory, basic musicianship and practical skills in the field. You will have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of music courses, from jazz band to keyboard ensemble, as well as participate in a musical performance group. In addition, you will be required to take education courses that will provide you with the foundations of the teaching profession.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

• Students will demonstrate the ability to select the best methods and materials for meeting the objectives of the learning experience.
• Students will acquire and demonstrate the ability to compose and/or improvise at a basic level in one or more musical languages.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to build a conducive learning environment.
• Students will become aware of diverse culture, develop curiosity about American society and about other societies and the art, and will acquire the ability to place music, including music of various cultures of the world, repertoires beyond the area of specialization, and music of their own time, in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.  (can this sentence be simplified?)
• Students will acquire an understanding of the common elements and organizational patterns of music and their interaction, and the ability to demonstrate this understanding in aural, verbal, and visual analysis.
• Student will demonstrate a working knowledge of appropriate historical and stylistic performance practices.
• Students will work independently and cooperatively on a variety of musical problems by combining their capabilities in performance; aural, verbal, and visual analysis; composition and improvisation; and history and repertoire.
• Students will acquire and demonstrate keyboard competency.
• Students will demonstrate the understanding of basic interrelationships and interdependencies among the various professions and activities that constitute the musical enterprise.
• Students will acquire knowledge and skills sufficient to work as leaders and in collaboration on matters of musical interpretation, including rehearsal and conducting skills as appropriate to the particular music specialization and degree program.
• Students will write and carry out lesson plans that clearly articulate the purpose and objective of each lesson.
• Students will develop skills to become lifelong learners in the musical art, both as participants and as audience members.
• Students will acquire and demonstrate sufficient understanding of musical forms, processes, and structures to use this knowledge in compositional, performance, scholarly, pedagogical, and historical contexts, as appropriate to their specialization and degree program.
• Students will form and defend value judgments about music.
• Students will acquire experience in a secondary performance area.
• Students will acquire and demonstrate technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one primary performance area at a level appropriate for the particular music specialization and degree program, including an overview understanding of the repertoire in the primary performance area, an ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertoire, the ability to read at sight with fluency, and the ability to perform in a variety of solo and ensemble settings.
• Students will acquire a basic overview understanding of how technology serves in the field of music as a whole and a working knowledge of the technological developments applicable to their area of specialization and degree program.

Experiential Learning

Students who choose to major in music education at Mount Union will have ample opportunities to observe and teach in the classroom within a variety of educational settings. Getting involved in extracurricular opportunities and student organizations will better prepare you for the field of education. Whether you want to be a teacher, administrator or professor, Mount Union will put you on the fast track to finding a rewarding career, equipped with all of the necessary skills, knowledge and experience.

Careers

Music educators play a vital role in today’s schools, providing students skills that last a lifetime – discipline, teamwork and creativity. Yet, music education is so much more important than that. According to the National Association for Music Education, studies show that students who participate in school music programs tend to score higher on standardized tests, are more likely to stay in school and graduate, are more likely to stay away from drugs and alcohol and experience higher earnings in their professional life. So, just imagine the impact that you can make as a music teacher.

As a music education major at the University of Mount Union, you will couple your skills in musicianship and theory with solid preparation in teaching. Beginning in your freshman year, you will apply what you learn in actual music classroom settings, and as a senior, you’ll actually become the instructor as you complete your education as a student teacher. After completing the music education major requirements, you will truly be prepared to instill a love of music in your students and make a difference in their lives.