Music Education

Faculty Profiles

Undergraduate Program

Student Handbook

Graduate Program

Graduate Handbook

Summer Programs
& Workshops

Mission Statement and Learning Outcomes

WCU has a great reputation for professional faculty that allow students to learn much through personal motivation and exploration.

J. Bryan Burton, Chair
610-436-2222

Every week I receive notices of job openings in Music Education from across Pennsylvania , New York , New Jersey , Maryland , Delaware , and beyond. Most often, these notices are not looking for an applicant from “just anywhere.” They are looking for an applicant who has been trained in Music Education at West Chester University ! Our specialized programs in Applied Music , Music Theory and Composition, and Music History and Literature assure that our music education majors are highly skilled musicians.

Throughout the Music Education program, you will become a highly skilled musician, not only in your major applied performance area but in as many ways as your talents will allow. Becoming a highly skilled musician is only the beginning. As you progress in your program as a Music Education major you will participate in a variety of field experiences, beginning with observations as early as your freshman year!

In these days of No Child Left Behind and Inclusive Education for all, you will be trained through a variety of innovative and specialized teaching methods by professors who are trained and certified specialists. These include the Kodaly method, and Orff and Dalcroze approaches. You will immerse yourself in World Music , learning how to integrate many cultures as well as the related arts into your teaching. You will spend focused time with technology, learning how technology can be integrated into the curriculum to enhance music instruction. Through these innovative practices and specialized training you will be certified to teach at all levels of classroom, vocal, and instrumental music, from kindergarten through senior high school.

A former student recently wrote to me marveling at the benefits of having been prepared by West Chester University to teach in music education;

“I am so glad to have gotten a West Chester education, because where else would I have learned recorder, experienced Dalcroze, been drilled at sightsinging (the music classes here are being quizzed on the same kind of beginning solfege that the PQT classes are working on) and refined my musicianship skills. It's been demanding, but I enjoy it SO much.” J. K. BM Music Education, Class of ‘04.

As a West Chester University Music Education Major you will develop portfolios, both traditional and electronic, that will demonstrate your growth and abilities as musicians and music educators. What a valuable tool to provide to a future administrator when you are looking for your first position! Our student portfolios have been lauded as setting WCU students “above the rest.”

As a West Chester University student you will experience the special camaraderie that comes with being a Music Education student. A social and musical fellowship is present among the students and faculty. You will grow in a setting where “student success" is the defining characteristic”.

As you prepare to come to West Chester University , continue to practice diligently to develop your skills, instrumentally and vocally. Spend time developing your aural and theory skills, as well as your sight-singing and sight-reading abilities. If you don’t already play the piano, it’s not too early to get started. Prepare yourself. The work is demanding. The work is rewarding. Put your passion into high gear and ready yourself for an amazing journey. You could be among our next generation of music educators, making a difference in the lives of the students whom you will teach!

Kristen A. Albert
Chair, Department of Music Education

top of page