Music Education

Choral Emphasis
Bachelor of Music Education

Division of Fine Arts

The Bachelor of Music Education is one of several Fine Arts degrees offered at YHC. The mission of the music education program is to successfully prepare musician/scholars to teach music on the P-12 level through field experiences, music instruction, performance, pedagogical practice, and education methods studies. The curriculum educates by providing students with the academic tools to interpret texts and musical scores. In this way, they are challenged to think critically and analytically in order to make both academic and artistic decisions. The BME also inspires and empowers students through musical performance. Studying an applied instrument inspires personal growth and is a primary means for exploring self-expression. Guiding students towards their eventual recital performances will often empower them with self-confidence and independence. 

Instrumental Emphasis

The YHC BME degree is unique in that it works in partnership with the Teacher Preparation Program for all certification purposes. Experiential meaning-making is facilitated for students in the YHC TPP through opportunities to analyze, evaluate and create experiences and connections; pedagogical practice that values the art and science of teaching is modeled for students and explored through coursework. Candidates internalize pedagogical understanding and transfer this knowledge to the field; professional transformation is an ongoing experience based on learning and growth; and advocacy, which in the field of music education takes on many forms.

The Fine Arts majors are all built on the same liberal arts core. Additionally, the BME degree shares some accrediting and assessments with the Department of Education and includes hands on experience in local P-12 public schools.

When viewing requirements for your major, please select appropriate catalog year.

Curriculum for Choral Emphasis

Curriculum for Instrumental Emphasis

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What classes will you take?

  • A diverse set of classes in the liberal arts core
  • Major classes in [Bachelor of Music Education], including:
    • MUSI 2270 Intro to Music Education: An orientation to music education. The course includes: Observations of elementary and secondary music programs; pedagogy as it relates to public teaching programs; the early history of education and music education; Music teacher roles, advocacy, methods and standard practices in modern band, choral, elementary general music and orchestral music programs. Explorative field experience hours in local P-12 Music classrooms is included in this course.
    • MUSI 3371 Elementary Music Methods: The course is designed to develop the skills and resources necessary to allow graduates to perform as music specialists in the elementary general music.  The creation of music lessons and adequate preparation to assist in teaching any elementary subject area through music instruction will be included.  The unique relationship of the elementary music specialist as a member of the grade level team and as a member of the instructional team to maintain and increase student achievement will be addressed. Students will explore creative methods of elementary music instruction such as Orff- Schulwerk, Dalcroze- Eurhythmics, and Kodaly. Elementary Music field experience in a local primary or elementary school is included in this course.
    • MUSI 3372 Secondary Music Methods: This course will emphasize the study of the principles, practice and theories of music education in the secondary schools including performance ensemble classes, general music theory, piano and musical theater classes. Primary emphasis will be on preparing teachers to be effective directors of secondary music programs. Choral and Band field experience in a local middle or high school is included in this course.

What can you do with a degree in music education?

The Bachelor of Music Education prepares you for a range of graduate school and career options. The primary focus of the degree is for certification and future employment in a P-12 public or private school as a general music, band, choir, theory, or strings teacher. A graduate with this degree could also pursue a career in church music, applied instrumental or vocal instruction, arts administration, conducting, and performance.