Music Education Major (B.M.)

The B.M. music education is the traditional program of choice for students seeking a career as a school music teacher. The bachelor of music degree in music education provides a route to undergraduate certification leading to state of New Hampshire teacher certification in music, grades K-12 (cert. #612.13). New Hampshire also participates in a reciprocal agreement with many other states: the Interstate Certification Compact.

Successful applicants must demonstrate a high degree of musical competence and promise of future growth as a performer. A firm commitment to leading school musicians to artistic success is expected, as is a willingness to acquire the breadth of skills required for K-12 music certification. Continuation in the B.M. music education program is made with the recommendation of the appropriate faculty members and contingent upon personal commitment to the teacher licensure program.

Students interested in a five-year, bachelor/masters degree program typically complete the B.M pre-teaching (described elsewhere) as an undergraduate and apply to the UNH Department of Education for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (Secondary) degree program.

The four-year bachelor of music in music education curriculum is highly structured due to the number of required courses to complete. The requirements  include a list of additional classes required to earn a degree and a certificate to teach. Students may elect a vocal/choral or instrumental emphasis.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Students in music education must maintain an overall minimum 2.8 grade-point average at the time of application for student teaching (February 15 of junior year). Any education course taken for a teacher licensure requirement must be completed with a B- or better.

B.M. music education majors may use MUSI 501 The Western Musical Canon (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the Fine and Performing Arts Discovery category requirement. In addition, they may use MUSI 502 Musics in Context (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the Inquiry Discovery category requirement, and MUSI 515 Music in World Cultures (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the World Cultures Discovery category requirement.

All bachelor of music students are required to give a public performance during their senior year, which fulfills the Discovery Program capstone requirement.

For students in the music education option, a half recital is required.

Music requirements must receive a grade of C- or better. Education courses require a minimum grade of B- or better to receive credit.

¹

Students will be given the opportunity to test out of MUSI 471 Theory I, MUSI 475 Functional Piano I, MUSI 476 Functional Piano I and MUSI 575 Functional Piano II, MUSI 576 Functional Piano II.

Bachelor of Music in Music Education Curriculum

Degree program has final approval from the National Association of Schools of Music.

¹

 Vocal track students take 2 credits. Instrumental track students take 3 credits.

²

Required for Vocal track.

³

 Required for Instrumental track.

⁴

 Required for Vocal track.

⁵

Students in the Bachelor of Music Education program are required to complete 8 credits of ensemble; a maximum of 8 ensemble credits may be counted towards graduation. Students will enroll in one conducted ensemble (MUSI 450 Symphony, MUSI 452 Wind Symphony,MUSI 453 Symphonic Band, MUSI 441 Concert Choir, MUSI 442 Chamber Singers, MUSI 460 Jazz Band, MUSI 454 UNH Marching Band) in every semester of their enrollment at UNH except for their student-teaching semester. To compensate, they will enroll in two ensembles during a previous semester.

6 of these required ensembles must be on the student’s primary instrument and 4 credits must be in a traditional conducted ensemble (MUSI 450 Symphony, MUSI 452 Wind Symphony, MUSI 453 Symphonic Band, MUSI 441 Concert Choir). For instrumentalists, at least 1 semester of participation in MUSI 454 UNH Marching Band) and MUSI 460 Jazz Band are highly desirable.

⁶

Guitar music education majors will take four semesters of MUSI 464 Guitar Ensemble and four semesters of a traditional conducted ensemble (MUSI 450 Symphony, MUSI 452 Wind Symphony, MUSI 453 Symphonic Band, MUSI 441 Concert Choir). Therefore, guitarists have a minimum of only 4 semesters required on their primary instrument.

⁷

Piano music education majors will take four semesters of MUSI 455 Collaborative Piano and four semesters of a traditional conducted ensemble (MUSI 450 Symphony, MUSI 452 Wind Symphony, MUSI 453 Symphonic Band, MUSI 441 Concert Choir). Therefore, pianists have a minimum of only 4 semesters required on their primary instrument.

Junior Standing in Music Education

Recognition of adequate completion of fundamental academic and musical competencies shall earn students declared for the Bachelor of Music: Music Education the title Junior Standing. Students will not receive permission to register for the upper-level music education methods courses (MUED 765, MUED 790, MUED 791) without such recognition. Two of the steps required for recognition are the submission of passing scores on the PRAXIS: Core Academic Skills for Educators tests (scores will be sent directly to the Department of Education) and clearance of the Criminal Background Check as conducted by the State of New Hampshire Department of Safety. Results will be sent directly to the music education coordinator in the Department of Music. There is a charge for each of these steps assessed by the providers. Current students may follow the catalog corresponding to their matriculation year or follow the proposed changes.

Junior Standing Requirements

1. Criminal Background Check
2. Academic Standing
   1. 2.8 overall grade point average
   2. Pass PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators Test
3. Aural Skills: Complete MUSI 574 Ear Training II with a grade of C- or better and a departmental followup assessment
4. Music Performance Skills
   1. Pass Sophomore Performance Jury with a grade of C- or better
   2. Perform for at least 3 semesters as a regular member of at least one of the designated core ensembles
   3. Complete MUSI 576 Functional Piano II with a C- or better and a departmental followup assessment
5. Complete EDUC 500 Exploring Teaching and a departmental followup assessment

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Music Education: Choral

Music Education: Instrumental

¹

Performing Ensembles are specified in the catalog.

²

PRAXIS II: Music Content Knowledge #5113 is required before EDUC 694 Student Teaching
 

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students will exhibit the skills necessary for artistic expression at the highest possible level as defined by their particular area of concentration in solo and small ensemble (not conducted) and large ensemble (conducted) settings.
• Students will exhibit competency in musicianship and analysis through: their understanding of musical forms and processes; aural, verbal and visual analyses; skill in performance; academic, pedagogical, and compositional applications; rudimentary ability to create derivative or original music.
• Students will demonstrate familiarity with musical literature from the formal concert repertory and from musical traditions outside of that repertory. Students will demonstrate the ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
• Students will demonstrate collegiate-level skill in the English language and competence in written and oral communication in English.
• Demonstrate the ability to use technologies current to their area of specialization for professional development and entrepreneurship, and career preparation and promotion.
• Students demonstrate ability to lead students to increased musical knowledge and advancing musical performance.
• Students demonstrate knowledge of age-appropriate vocal and instrumental pedagogy.
• Students demonstrate an understanding of best practices and applicable learning theories in music education.
• Students demonstrate the ability to prepare classes and rehearsals via score study and lesson planning that includes awareness of needed modifications.
• Students aurally discern accuracy and expressive elements in student performances.
• Students demonstrate the ability to assess their pupils’ learning and progress in conjunction with best educational practices.
• Students are able to assess the success of their own class teaching and rehearsals.

Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures

The University of New Hampshire offers a number of academic programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in New Hampshire. However,  completing a UNH degree/program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like years of work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria.

UNH does not guarantee that its professional licensure programs will satisfy the criteria of professional licensure boards in other states. Some states maintain different requirements for professional licensure or certification and requirements can change frequently. Federal regulations require the University to make public disclosure of certain information regarding professional licensure or certification programs, regardless of the modality the program is offered (i.e., in-person or online). The University provides guidance below but recommends students contact their state/territory licensing or certification board to ensure a program meets specific state/territory requirements.

Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for information about whether this program meets professional licensure requirements in your state.