PROGRAM FOCUS
- Successful Teacher Preparation & Placement (over 90% placement rate)
- Student-success oriented faculty and curriculum
- Comprehensive education in music (pedagogy, literature, history, theory, and performance)
- Service to the university General Education program
- Provide cultural opportunities to the community
DEGREES
- B.S. Ed. in Music Education (Certification K-12 Instrumental and Vocal) – 120cr.
- Collaborative degree with College of Education & Human Services
- Broad certification allows graduates to compete for any music position available
- High certification standards allow graduates to transfer certification readily to neighboring states
- Ample pre-service observation and teaching opportunities
- Numerous extracurricular learning possibilities (workshops, conferences, clinics, etc.)
- Performance audition required - all band/orchestral instruments, voice, piano (no guitar or organ)
- Music Minor – 18-21 cr.
ACCREDITATIONS
- National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
- Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
CLASSES
- Average student-faculty ration = 12:1 (many music courses are lower)
- Plenty of personal attention and individualized instruction
- All taught by faculty – no Graduate Teaching Assistants
- Areas of coverage
- Music Theory/Aural Skills
- Music History
- Instrumental/Vocal Techniques
- Conducting
- Music teaching methods/pedagogy courses
- Applied Music
- Most music courses are open to majors and non-majors, capacity permitting
- Friendly, nurturing, supportive, non-competitive learning environment
STUDENTS
- Enrollment – 45 majors and 20 minors
- Ave SAT = 1000 (Does not include the Writing portion)
- 100% “Pass” rate on Praxis II exam for graduates
- Majority have had 0-2 years private instruction on their instrument/voice
- Majority are first family member to attend college
- Very friendly, caring, & generous
- Student Organizations (open to all members of the university, unless noted)
- Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma - service organizations
- Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia - Men's social fraternity
- Sigma Alpha Iota - Women's honorary sorority
- MENC, ACDA – professionally-affiliated groups
- Music Student Advisory Council – representative music student group (music majors only)
FACULTY
- 7 full-time; 2 part-time
- All full-time faculty have terminal degree in music
- Faculty teach all courses – no Graduate Teaching Assistants
- Faculty serve as academic advisors
- Active professionals (research, presentations, publications, performance)
- Student-centered focus to instruction
ENSEMBLES
- Large and small/chamber instrumental and choral ensembles
- Large
- Golden Eagle Marching Band
- Wind Ensemble
- Symphonic Band
- Concert Choir
- Symphony Orchestra
- Small/Chamber
- Chamber Singers
- Jazz Band
- Percussion Ensemble
- Brass Ensembles
- Woodwind Ensembles
- Large
- Ensemble participation is required of majors & minors
- All ensembles are open to university and community
- ** Some ensembles may require audition prior to enrollment **
- Instruments are available for loan through the department
FACILITIES
- Two performance halls
- Marwick-Boyd Auditorium (1600 seats)
- Hart Chapel Theatre (300 seats)
- Technology Lab (PC-based workstations)
- SmartMusic Studio
- SmartClassroom
- Digital Piano Lab
- 14 practice rooms, each with a piano (open to all university and community members)
- Chamber rehearsal room
- Listening-Resource Lab
