Music Education

This National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredited program serves teacher candidates who wish to be certified in general, instrumental, and choral music teaching in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Pennsylvania. This certification is also accepted as initial certification in many other states. This major combines the studies of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the College of Education.

Course Highlights

Foundation courses in the Music Education program are identical to those in the Bachelor of Arts in Music program. Basics such as music history, conducting, harmony and theory, and aural skills are all covered. Teacher certification training includes techniques courses in strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. 

As students progress, specialized teaching courses prepare the undergraduate to teach in general, instrumental and choral music classes. At Kutztown, training to become a music educator additionally requires students to take part in many musically-inclined courses such as guitar in the classroom, developing a musical theatre production, and jazz ensemble techniques.

Field Experience

The Music Education program includes 12 credits of clinical experience (student teaching) in K-12 teaching in elementary, middle, and high school settings. The program provides opportunities for field experiences and observations in rural, suburban, and urban locations.

Piano Proficiency

National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) requires music majors to acquire keyboard competency. Music majors must pass the Piano Proficiency prior to Clinical Experience. The piano proficiency will be offered each semester during jury week. Students may enroll in class or studio piano as a music elective until the proficiency is passed.

Requirements for piano proficiency for the BS in Music Education:

• Major Scales: Students will play all of the major scales, two octaves, hands together in parallel motion, performed at a metronome marking of quarter note = 63, two notes per beat.
• Minor Scales: Students will play all of the minor scales, two octaves, hands together in parallel motion performed at a metronome marking of quarter note = 63, two notes per beat.
• Cadences: Students will play the I, IV6/4, I, V6/5, I cadence in all of the major and minor keys.
• Harmonization: Students will harmonize a symbol-free melody at sight, using at least the primary chords.
• Patriotic Songs: Students will play the following patriotic songs from memory: Star Spangled Banner in the keys of Bb and Ab, America the Beautiful in the keys of C and Bb, and America in the keys of F and Eb.

Career Opportunities
Music educator in kindergarten through 12th grade, choral conductor, band director, string education specialist, orchestral conductor, general music educator, early childhood music educator, studio teacher, music supervisor.

Music Admission Requirements

Music majors in the College of Visual and Performing Arts are required to complete and return a separate Department of Music admission form. Upon receipt of the undergraduate application for admission, students will be sent the music audition requirements/guidelines. Once the music admission form is returned (to be mailed directly to the Department of Music), the student will be scheduled for an audition with Department of Music faculty. At the interview/audition, students will play/sing in their area of musical interest and expertise. During the interview, students should be prepared to discuss their musical background, career goals, musical and general areas of interest. Students also take preliminary exams in: (a) harmony and theory, (b) ear training, (c) sight singing, and (d) piano skills. These are diagnostic examinations to determine placement in music courses, and are considered as part of acceptance in the degree program. Students will not receive a decision regarding their acceptance to the university until the interview/audition/diagnostic examinations have been completed.