The Music BA: Music Education Track

Preprofessional Studies Minor in Music Teaching, K-12 š

The Music Education Track at Geneseo combines the Music BA, Performance Track, with the Pre-professional Studies Minor in Music Teaching, K-12. This combination of major and minor is designed to prepare students to pursue graduate work in music education. Students interested in completing the minor must first be accepted to the Music BA Performance track on their primary instrument or voice. (see audition information here). Students completing the program are then advised on applying to Master's programs in music education where they pursue masters-level professional certification (in lieu of initial certification).

Eastman School of Music MA in Music Education with Professional Certification

In addition, students who complete the program may receive preferred applicant status to the Eastman School of Music's MA program in Music Education with Professional Certification. This status grants the student an admissions interview at the Eastman School. While the music education track and minor were developed in cooperation with Eastman, the program is broadly designed to prepare students to meet general entrance requirements for most Masters’ programs in music education, and particularly those leading to professional certification in music education in New York state.

Program Requirements (57 credits) š

Coursework

In addition to completing all degree requirements for the Music BA with a focus in Music Performance (36 credits), students must complete the additional Preprofessional Minor in Music Teaching; K-12 (21 credits).  

Methods and Musicianship Requirement

The basic requirements for the Music BA balance training in musicianship with methods for critical inquiry and exploration of our rich musical world.

Total Credits: 36

Elements & Methods
  • MUSC 189 - Elements of Music Theory Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 256 - Elements of Diatonic Harmony and Polyphony 
  • One course in the elements of music history and ethnography selected from
    • MUSC 217 - Jazz in America
    • MUSC 226 - Music History I:  1600-1800
    • MUSC 227 - Music History II: 1800-2000 
    • MUSC 231 - Introduction to Ethnomusicology
    • MUSC 232 - Folk Music in America
  • MUSC 236 - Thinking Through Music Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 315 - Music Analysis Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 331-339 Seminar in Musicology Credit(s): 3
Music Performance Requirement
Applied Study & Ensemble Participation
  • Six semesters (6 credits total) of either MUSC 160 Choral Organization or MUSC 165 Instrumental Organization
  • Six semesters (12 credits total) of one of the following:
    • MUSC 250, 350, 450 - Piano for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2 
    • MUSC 251, 351, 451 - Voice for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2 
    • MUSC 252, 352, 452 - Woodwinds for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
    • MUSC 253, 353, 453 - Brass for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
    • MUSC 254, 354, 454 - Strings for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
    • MUSC 255, 355, 455 - Percussion for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
In addition students must participate in:
  • Weekly studio class or seminar 
  • A Jury examination each semester in the Music Performance Option;
  • Performance on a Friday Afternoon Recital (FAR) each semester in the Music Performance Option or in some other public, faculty-sponsored event approved by the principal instructor.
Preprofessional Studies Minor in Music Teaching; K-12

Total Credits: 21cr

  • MUSC 141: Voice for the General Student (1cr)
  • MUSC 240: Piano (2cr)
  • MUSC 257: Harmony II (3cr)
  • MUSC 259: Elements of Figured Bass (1cr)
  • MUSC 340: Piano (2cr)
  • MUSC 365, 366: Conducting I & II  (6cr)
  • SPED 692: Introduction to Special Education (3cr)

Three of the following methods courses in trumpet, clarinet, percussion, high strings, and low strings selected from:

  • MUSC 142: Woodwinds for the General Student (1cr)
  • MUSC 143: Brass for the General Student (1cr)
  • MUSC 144: Strings for the General Student (1cr)
  • MUSC 145: Percussion for the General Student (1cr)
Proficiencies 

In addition to proficiency on a primary instrument or voice, students complete proficiencies in keyboard, solfege, aural skills, and written theory. The courses in the music education track are designed to prepare students to demonstrate these proficiencies. In addition, students will demonstrate continued proficiency on their primary instrument or voice in conjunction with their semester jury evaluations administered in fulfillment of their regular music performance degree requirements. 

Research and Writing

The MA Program in Music Education at the Eastman School includes a significant research component. Students interested in applying to the Eastman School should develop a research topic and submit a research sample, demonstrating their writing ability and their potential to conduct original research, in advance of their nomination.