Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music Education P-12, BMus


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Fine and Performing Arts

Department of Music, College of Fine and Performing Arts

134-135 credits minimum*

Introduction

This professional degree program prepares students to teach music in their emphasis area upon graduating and receive a P-12 Certification as a Music Specialist Educator in addition to the Bachelor of Music degree. The program consists of a variety of pedagogy, conducting, and education-specific courses (through the Department of Music and Woodring College of Education), and requires two practicums and student-teaching internship in a public-school setting. Students also complete core studies in music theory, aural skills, keyboarding, and music history.

*34 credits from the Secondary Education program including the student teaching internship. This major leads to an endorsement in music education for grades P-12. For questions about the teacher certification process or when to apply, contact the Music Education Coordinator Dr. Bourne at 360-650-2217 or Patty.Bourne@wwu.edu. For additional information, see the Secondary Education  section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements.

 Contact Information

Program Coordinator
Undergraduate
Academic Advisor

Lee Anne Frahn
Performing Arts 263
360-650-4091
LeeAnne.Frahn@wwu.edu

Music Education Coordinator
Patricia Bourne
Performing Arts 45
360-650-2217
Patty.Bourne@wwu.edu

Choral Music Education
Angela Broeker
Performing Arts 039
360-650-7920
Angela.Broeker@wwu.edu

Instrumental Music Education
James Ray
Performing Arts Center 058
360-650-2706
James.Ray@wwu.edu

Secondary Education
Program Manager
Janna Cecka
Miller Hall 401C
360-650-3347
Janna.Cecka@wwu.edu
 

Teacher Education Admissions
Miller Hall 150
360-650-3313
wce.wwu.edu/admissions/secondary-education

 Sample Careers

Secondary School Choir Director | Secondary School Band Director | Secondary School Orchestra Director/Elementary and/or Secondary General Music Teacher | Applied Instrumental or Voice Instructor | Professional Musician | Arts Administrator

 Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

Admission and Declaration Process:

General WWU vs. Music Admissions: Acceptance to the Music Department does not guarantee admission to the university. Decisions related to general admissions are completed independently by the University. Students may request and complete a music audition regardless if they have received their admissions decision by the WWU admissions office.

Admissions/Auditions: All students must successfully complete an Entrance Audition on their primary instrument of voice. Please visit our website for priority audition dates. Students who audition after these priority dates will be considered on a space available basis. Due to the sequential nature of our curriculum, mid-year applicants are not recommended or guaranteed to be granted an audition. Students electing to begin in a quarter other than fall should seek advisement through the program coordinator before requesting an audition. cfpa.wwu.edu/music/auditions

Admission to Woodring College of Education: All students pursuing the Bachelor of Music Education P-12 degree will additionally complete certification through the Woodring College of Education. Students will work closely with the Music Education coordinator during their first two years to prepare for the Woodring Application. See the non-course requirements below for further information.

Declaration and Advising: All incoming music students will receive advising and curriculum planning with the program coordinator during orientation sessions and/or by appointment. Declaring a music major or minor is required to access all academic coursework. Overrides will be entered prior to orientation and/or by appointment to obtain access to all program restricted courses before declarations have been processed. Please see below for more details. 

  • Freshman: Freshman will declare their music major during Fall Advising & Orientation. Students who intend to double major may be placed into another advising session if deemed appropriate by the program coordinator. Students intending to double major will be asked to notify the program coordinator before Fall Advising & Orientation. These students will receive an email prior to Fall A&O with specific instructions for music registration and declaration.
  • Transfer: Transfer students will declare their music major during Transitions or by appointment with the program coordinator. Declaring a music major or minor is required to access all academic coursework. Overrides will be entered prior to Transitions or by appointment to give preliminary access to major-restricted courses before major declarations are processed. 
  • Returning Students: Returning students will declare their music major by appointment with the program coordinator. Returning students should contact the program coordinator prior to registration in order to obtain access to major-restricted courses.  

Graduation Timeline: Due to the sequential nature of our core curriculum, we strongly recommend that all students considering a Bachelor of Music degree (BMus) in Performance, Composition, History & Literature, and Music Education begin our music core sequences the fall quarter of their first year. These majors are designed around a curriculum that takes approximately four years to complete. Additionally, the Music Education degree has an approximate graduation timeline between year four and five. Please note, the approximate graduation timeline does not apply to all students, and is dependent on each student’s incoming status, eligibility for course equivalency assessments, and academic progress within the department.

Course Equivalency Assessments: We offer three separate assessments to determine equivalency and placement in our two-year core sequence of music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills for those who have successfully completed an entrance audition into our program. After assessments are complete the program coordinator will adjust course equivalency on each students’ TER (Transfer Equivalency Report), if required. All other music course equivalency will be determined by the admissions office and will not require an assessment, e.g. music ensembles, applied lessons, survey courses, etc.

  • Eligibility: Transfer students and freshman are eligible for corresponding assessments if they have transferable credits in music theory, aural skills/ear training, and keyboarding skills/class piano. Combined courses with multiple topics will qualify for separate corresponding assessments. Incoming transfer students and freshman who achieved a 3 or higher on the AP Theory Exam are eligible for the music theory and aural skills assessments only. Students without transferable credits in keyboarding will be required to complete all keyboarding courses. Those with extensive piano lesson experience will enroll in an accelerated advanced keyboarding section along with piano majors and minors.
  • Scheduling: Fall quarter assessments in music theory and aural skills will be scheduled online in July each year, keyboarding assessments will be scheduled online in the summer and in person directly before the academic year begins. Further details will be sent individually to students after the fall enrollment confirmation deadline for the university. Students attempting to begin in winter and spring quarters should contact the program coordinator to determine eligibility.
  • Course Equivalency Assessment Advising: Students are encouraged to use study materials from previous institutions or exams to prepare for the assessments. Students will be sent a series of assessment topics but will not be supplied with study materials.  Students should be advised that they are not guaranteed to enter at their expected level and may be required to repeat courses previously taken at another institution. All credits received in music theory, aural skills, and keyboard skills will be transferred as general credit, and will apply towards total graduation requirements, and/or major requirements contingent on assessment results.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C (2.0) or better is required for courses in the secondary education professional program and all courses required for the endorsement. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in music courses is required for graduation with a degree in music.

Requirements


Music Non-Course Requirements


Concert Attendance: Attendance of at least five pre-approved concerts every quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled. Music Education students are excused from this requirement during their student teaching internship, SEC 495. Approved music department events only, including mainstage operas, and performances in PAC 16. Students must bring their Western ID card to check in and out to receive credit, those without a Western ID card will not receive credit.

Upper-division Jury: Music Education students must complete one upper-division jury as partial fulfillment of the degree program. It is recommended that students pass an upper-division jury to advance to the upper-division instruction (300-400) level by the end of their second year. Jury schedules, including frequency and repertoire, are determined by each area of study. Students will schedule their upper-division jury according to area policies, and under the advisement of their applied instructor. 

Keyboarding Proficiency Exam (KPE): All Music majors must successfully complete the Keyboarding Proficiency Exam (KPE) as partial fulfillment of the degree program. The exam is administered at the conclusion of the two-year keyboarding sequence (MUS 121B-221B). Students placed into the advanced keyboarding section will complete the exam after the first year of keyboarding courses. (MUS 121B-125B)

Woodring Application: Completion of the degree with certification is done through the Woodring College of Education. The application process is normally initiated during, or immediately after, the junior year, with applications due February 15 for a fall quarter start, or September 1, for a winter quarter start. To apply, Woodring recommends all GURs are complete along with 70 percent of degree requirements completed with a C or higher, which is higher than the university prerequisite requirement of a C-. Students will be advised when to apply by the Music Education Coordinator, Dr. Bourne.

Music Core Sequences


The music core sequence is comprised of courses in aural skills, keyboarding skills, theoretical and analytical skills, and music history that progress in a three-year sequence. Core music sequences begin Fall quarter and will not repeat until the next academic year. In the first two years, students must concurrently enroll in one course each of aural skills, keyboarding skills, and theoretical and analytical skills each quarter. If a student does not meet the university prerequisite grade requirement of a C- or higher, they may continue to enroll in the other core sequence courses they have successfully passed. Students who are eligible for course equivalency assessments will enroll in core sequences under the advisement of the music advisor. Students will be placed into a beginning, intermediate, or advanced section of keyboarding skills according to their piano experience. Those with significant piano experience and piano major/minors will be placed into the advanced keyboarding section and will not be required to complete the second year keyboarding skills sequence along with remaining core music courses (MUS 221B, MUS 223B, MUS 225B). Students may enroll in the music history sequence (MUS 341, MUS 342, MUS 343) after successfully completing all theoretical and analytical skills courses (MUS 122-226) with a C- or higher. Please see our example PDF for course planning.

Music Education Core Requirements and Endorsements


Music Education Core


Students may enroll in the following courses alongside the second-year core music sequences and music history. Please see specific course prerequisites for more information.

Conducting

Students may enroll in instrumental and choral conducting after finishing the second-year core sequences. Please see specific course prerequisites for more information.

Music Endorsement Emphasis


P-12 Choral and General

This emphasis leads to two endorsements: choral music and general music, P-12. Students may begin to enroll in Pedagogy Labs during their first year under the advisement of the program coordinator, or music education coordinator.

Vocal Diction and Applied Pedagogy

Offered every other year in rotation. Please see course prerequisites to plan enrollment with rotation. Music Education students will take MUS 466B only, MUS 466D is restricted to vocal performance majors. 

P-12 Instrumental and General

This emphasis leads to two endorsements: instrumental music and general music. Students may begin to enroll in Pedagogy Labs during their first year under the advisement of the program coordinator, or music education coordinator.

Primary Instrument Requirements


Brass


Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)

Brass students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 314F-J. Brass students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated F-J. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)

Brass students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble.

Guitar


Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)

Guitar students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 316. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)

Students must enroll in major ensemble and guitar ensemble according to the following schedule until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Guitar students enroll in an instrumental or choral major ensemble each fall quarter, followed by enrollment in Guitar Ensemble, MUS 282, winter, and spring quarter.

Major Ensemble Courses (minimum of 6 credits)

Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Students who do not audition into an ensemble must enroll in MUS 271, University Tenor/Bass or University Treble Choir. Guitar students may continue to enroll in a major ensemble alongside guitar ensemble winter and spring quarter.

Guitar Ensemble (minimum of 12 credits)

Percussion


Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)

Percussion students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 314K. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)

Percussion students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble.

Piano


Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)

Piano students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 312. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)

Piano students must enroll in a major ensemble or piano accompanying according to the following schedule each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement.

Major Ensemble Courses (minimum of 6 credits)

Piano students will enroll in three consecutive quarters of a major ensemble, with the remainder of their major ensemble requirements fulfilled with Piano Accompanying (MUS 276/476). Students who do not audition into another ensemble must enroll in MUS 271.

Piano Accompanying (minimum of 12 credits)

Students will register for MUS 276 until receiving permission to enroll in MUS 476.

String


Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)

String students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated A-E. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 313A-E. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)

String students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble.

Voice


Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)

Voice students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 315. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)

Voice students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble.

Woodwinds


Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)

Woodwind students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated A-E. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 314A-E. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)

Woodwind students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until enrollment in Student Teaching (SEC 495), regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble.

Additional Requirements


Woodring College of Education Requirements (34 credits)


Acceptance to the Woodring College of Education is required as a prerequisite to all courses below. Please see the Woodring Application section under music non-course requirements.

Internship (14 weeks minimum)

Student teaching is the culminating course for the degree program. Students will enroll in for a fall or winter internship based on academic progress and advising. Spring internships are not available. Students enroll in SEC 495 only during the 14 weeklong internship.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Fine and Performing Arts