The Music BA: Music Education Track

Preprofessional Studies Minor in Music Teaching, K-12 š

Overview 

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).

In addition, every year Geneseo nominates select students who meet the eligibility requirements described below to 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 (66 credits) š

Coursework: In addition to completing all degree requirements for the Music BA with a focus in Music Performance (45 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: 26

Musicianship, Critical History, & Methods

  • MUSC 139 - Piano I Credit(s): 1
  • MUSC 140 - Piano II Credit(s): 1
  • MUSC 189 - Elements of Music Theory Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 226 - Music History I: Music and the European City, 1685-1803 Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 227 - Music History II: Key Figures in Music History, Beethoven to Beyoncé Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 236 - Thinking Through Music I Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 256 - Elements of Diatonic Harmony and Polyphony or  MUSC 258 - Elements of Jazz Harmony Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 315 - Analytical Methods Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 327 - Thinking Through Music II Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 331-339 Seminar in Musicology Credit(s): 3r)
Music Performance Requirement

Applied Study

Two semesters (4 credits total) of one of the following:

  • MUSC 350 - Piano for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2 *
  • MUSC 351 - Voice for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2* 
  • MUSC 352 - Woodwinds for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2*
  • MUSC 353 - Brass for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2*
  • MUSC 354 - Strings for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2*
  • MUSC 355 - Percussion for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2*

An additional two semesters of one of the following:

  • MUSC 450 - Piano for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 451 - Voice for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 452 - Woodwinds for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 453 - Brass for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 454 - Strings for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2

Recitals, Juries, & Public Performance

  • MUSC 359 - Junior Recital Credit(s): 1
  • MUSC 459 - Senior Recital Credit(s): 2

Ensemble Participation

  • Eight semesters (8 credits) of either MUSC 160 Choral Organization or MUSC 165 Instrumental Organization (see note below**)
In addition students must participate in:
  •  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.
Notes 

*Prerequisite of two semesters of applied study at the 200 level or equivalent

**Ensemble Requirement: Participation in the following specified performance organizations each semester in the Music Performance Option (NOTE: a maximum of eight credits may be applied to the degree)

  • Music Performance Option-Piano: a MUSC 160 or MUSC 165 organization, or an equivalent activity approved by the Piano Coordinator and participation in weekly Piano Seminar;
  • Music Performance Option-Voice: a MUSC 160 organization (placement by audition and participation in weekly Voice Seminar;
  • Music Performance Option-Woodwind, Brass, or Percussion: MUSC 165 Chamber Symphony, Wind Ensemble, or Jazz Ensemble (placement by audition) and participation in weekly Instrumental Seminar;
  • Music Performance Option-String: MUSC 165 Symphony Orchestra and participation in weekly Instrumental Seminar. A maximum of eight credits may be applied to the degree.
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)

Eastman School of Music MA in Music Education with Professional Certification š

Eligibility and Application Process

To receive a nomination to the Eastman School of Music's MA in Music Education with Professional Certification, students must be a declared music major in the performance track and have a minimum major GPA of 3.25. Students then complete an entrance interview in their sophomore year. Interview dates are announced at the beginning of the academic year. Further information about the interview may be obtained from the Music Department Secretary. 

In addition, the MA Program in Music Education at the Eastman School includes a significant research component. Students must 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. 

Students must successfully complete all required coursework and complete all proficiencies with a high pass (see below). Nominations are forwarded to the Eastman School by January 1 of a student’s final year of study at Geneseo.

Proficiencies 

In addition to proficiency on a primary instrument or voice, students will demonstrate 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.