Music
Swope Music Building and the Performing Arts Center
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2222
610-436-2739
Dr. Blair, Dean
Dr. Burton, Graduate Coordinator
Return to Music.
Music Education
Dr. Burton, Chairperson
Professor [top]
J. Bryan Burton, D.M.E., University of Southern Mississippi
Associate Professor
Ann McFarland, Ph.D., Temple University; Orff Certification, Cincinnati Conservatory
Assistant Professors
Angela Guerriero, M.M., West Chester University, M.A., Immaculata University
Mark Gregory Martin, D.M.A., University of Texas
Bradley Olesen, Ph.D., University of Miami
Master of Music in Music Education (34 semester hours) [top]
Required
Students may choose programs with Kodaly, music technology, Orff-Schulwerk, performance, or research options. All programs require completion of nine credits in three core courses: MUE 500, 503, and 510. All students in M.M. programs in music education also must complete a comprehensive exit examination. Students not holding Level I Certification in music education must complete prerequisite undergraduate work prior to admission into a graduate program that requires Level I Certification.
Additional Course Requirements: Performance and Research Programs
Kodaly Concentration: 18 credits in Kodaly (MUE 560-568); three credits in directed electives; and three credits in music history.
Music Technology Concentration: Nine credits in required music technology courses; six credits in directed electives chosen from music technology courses; three credits in music history; three credits in music theory; three credits in directed electives; and one credit in research.
Orff-Schulwerk Concentration: 15 credits in Orff-Schulwerk (MUE 570-581); three credits of music history; and seven credits of free electives.
Performance: Six credits in music education; three credits in applied music; three credits in music theory; three credits in music history; three credits in free electives; three credits in concentration electives; recital (MUE 698 and VOI/AIM/PIA 696). Candidates desiring to pursue the recital option in voice must audition before the voice jury and receive permission to pursue that option before earning 15 graduate hours or after completing VOI 543, whichever comes first.
Research Report: Six credits in music education; three credits in applied music; three credits in music theory; three credits in music history; three credits in free electives; three credits in concentration electives; four credits in research (MUE 691 and 692).
Certificate in Kodaly Methodology (18 semester hours)
This program is designed for in-service music educators who wish to upgrade their choral teaching skills in K-12 music classrooms using the materials, musicianship abilities, and instructional processes in a focused program based on the pedagogic approaches developed by Zoltan Kodaly. Admission requires a baccalaureate degree in music education, an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.8, major field GPA of 3.0, and a completed application for admission to graduate studies (including transcripts and letters of recommendation).
Nonmusic education majors with degrees in related fields of study may enter a certificate-only program in Kodaly methodology. Admission requirements include demonstrable music literacy and performance skills with voice or one instrument; a baccalaureate degree in music performance, music theory, or choral conducting; an undergraduate GPA of 2.8; a major field GPA of 3.0; and a completed application for admission to graduate studies (including transcripts and letters of recommendation).
The Kodaly methodology certificate program is designed to be completed in three consecutive summers of study:
- First summer: MUE 560 and 561
- Second summer: MUE 562 and 563
- Third summer: MUE 564 and 565
MUE 566, 567, and 568 may be taken in either the second or third summer of study (after students have successfully completed MUE 560 and 561).
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended the Certificate in Kodaly Methodology program.
Certificate in Music Technology (18 semester hours)
This program is designed for in-service music educators who wish to upgrade their skills in music technology and apply the materials, musicianship skills, and methodologies in a focused program to enhance music learning in all facets of the music curriculum, yet who do not wish to undertake a full master’s degree curriculum. Admission requires a baccalaureate degree in music education, an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.8, a major field GPA of 3.0, and completion of the application for admission to graduate studies (including transcripts and letters of recommendation).
Nonmusic education majors may enter a certificate-only program in technology. Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree in an appropriate field of study (i.e., applied music, music theory, music performance, music business), an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.8, a major field GPA of 3.0, and a completed application for admission to graduate studies (including transcripts and letters of recommendation).
Curriculum (18 semester hours)
- Music technology core (9 semester hours)
MUE 591, 592, and 598 - One course from each category (6 semester hours)
Category I: MUE 593 or 594
Category II: MUE 595 or 596 or 597 - One music technology elective drawn
from the categories above (3 semester hours)
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended the Certificate in Music Technology program.
Certificate in Orff-Schulwerk (18 semester hours)
This program is designed for in-service music educators who wish to upgrade their skills in the classroom and choral instruction using the materials, musicianship skills, and methodologies in a focused program based on the teaching approaches developed by Carl Orff, yet who do not wish to undertake a full master’s degree curriculum. Admission requires a baccalaureate degree in music education, an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.8, major field GPA of 3.0, and a completed application for admission to graduate studies (including transcripts and letters of recommendation).
Nonmusic education majors with degrees in related fields of study may enter a certificate-only program in Orff-Schulwerk. Admission requirements include demonstrable music literacy and performance skills with voice or one instrument; a baccalaureate degree in music performance, music therapy, dance, or movement; an undergraduate GPA of 2.8; a major field GPA of 3.0; and a completed application for admission to graduate studies (including transcripts and letters or recommendation).
The Orff-Schulwerk certificate program is designed to be completed in three consecutive summers of study:
- First summer: MUE 570, 571, and 572
- Second summer: MUE 573, 574, and 575
- Third summer: MUE 576, 577, 578, 582, and 583
MUE 579, 580, and 581 may be taken in either the second or third summer of study (after students have successfully completed MUE 571, 572, and 573).
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended the Orff-Schulwerk certificate program.
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in Music Education
The post-baccalaureate teacher certification in music education provides a pathway to Pennsylvania Level I Teacher Certification in Music K-12 for candidates who hold a baccalaureate degree in a music field (performance, music theory and composition, or music history and literature). Students who do not hold a baccalaureate degree in music and do not have a significant number of earned credits in music, such as a minor in music, are better served through enrollment in a second baccalaureate degree program with a major in music education. Each student’s program will be unique as applications and transcripts are examined on an individual basis and an appropriate course of study designed. Completion of this program usually takes from five to eight semesters of full-time study. For further information regarding this process, contact the department chairperson.
Course Descriptions [top]
Music Education
Symbol: MUE (unless otherwise shown)
500 Methods and Materials of Research (3) Basic techniques and procedures. Major types of research. Methods for locating, evaluating, and interpreting evidence. Preparation of a research outline.
503 Philosophical Foundations of Music Education (3) Historical and philosophical foundations of music education. Application of principles of education to music. Major emphasis on development of a philosophy of the discipline.
510 Current Trends in Music Education (3) Present practices and emerging developments in music education.
511 Vitalizing Music in the Elementary School (3) Exploration and examination of current pedagogy, materials, and technology available to enhance learning through music in the elementary classroom. Elementary education majors only.
513 Music in the Middle School (3) Review and critical analysis of music education in the middle school; philosophies, curriculum, practices, and personnel.
516 Administration and Supervision of School Music (3) Administrative problems, curricular content and scheduling, in-service training of teachers, and specialized supervisory techniques for the music curriculum. PREREQ: Teaching experience.
528 Music in Special Education (3) Characteristics of special pupils; adaptation of teaching techniques; materials curriculum.
536 Children's Choir Practicum for Music Educators (3) Review, analysis, and practical application of current and developing pedagogy, literature, and materials for teaching and conducting a children's choir. Students will have the opportunity to observe and conduct a laboratory children's choir. Instructors will include leading innovative guest faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise in this area.
541 Folk Music According to Kodaly Concept (3) Designed to review and identify the folk music genre, identify principle researchers and collections, analyze materials collected, and submit a project containing materials.
542 Brass Essentials for the Music Educator (3) Development of brass performance and pedagogical skills for teaching brass instruments in the elementary and secondary school instrumental program. This course is designed for the nonbrass major in-service or preservice music educator.
543 Woodwind Essentials for the Music Educator (3) Development of woodwind performance and pedagogical skills appropriate for teaching woodwind instruments in the elementary and secondary school instrumental music program. This course is designed for the nonwoodwind major in-service or preservice music educator.
544 Guitar Essentials for the Music Educator (3) Development of guitar performance and pedagogical skills appropriate for teaching guitar in the elementary and secondary school guitar and general music programs. This course is designed for the nonguitar major in-service or preservice music major.
547 Choral Conducting Practicum for Music Educators (3)_Development of choral conducting skills and choral pedagogy appropriate for teaching advanced choral ensembles in the school music program. This course is designed for the experienced choral music educator.
548 String Essentials for the Music Educator (3) Development of string performance and pedagogical skills appropriate for teaching string instruments in the elementary and secondary instrumental program. This course is designed primarily for the nonstring major in-service or preservice music educator.
551 Instrumental Music Education: Literature and Materials (3) Survey and analysis of newly published literature for large and small performing ensembles, teaching texts, current pedagogical trends. Development of teaching strategies. Guest lecturers to include composers, conductors, and educators. May be repeated for credit with permission of Department of Music Education. This course may be taken again for credit.
552 Teaching Ethnic Music (3) Study and analysis of cultural background, musical materials, and performance techniques of music from target cultures. Development of teaching strategies appropriate for public school classrooms. Target cultures will vary. Course may be repeated for credit with permission of Department of Music Education. This course may be taken again for credit.
560 Kodaly Level I: Musicianship Training (2) Designed to develop musicianship for teaching the Kodaly process in primary grades and to develop students' ability to sing pentatonic literature and basic rhythms at sight in a classroom setting.
561 Kodaly Level I: Methodology (2) Designed to present lesson-planning strategies for teaching Kodaly-based methodology in the primary grades.
562 Kodaly Level II: Musicianship Training (2) Designed to develop musicianship for teaching the Kodaly process in intermediate grades and the student's ability to sing diatonic literature and advanced rhythms at sight in a classroom setting. PREREQ: MUE 560 and 561.
563 Kodaly Level II: Methodology (2) Designed to present lesson-planning strategies for teaching Kodaly-based methodology in the intermediate grades. PREREQ: MUE 560 and 561.
564 Kodaly Level III: Musicianship Training (2) Designed to develop musicianship skills for teaching the Kodaly process in secondary grades through classical music. PREREQ: MUE 562 and 563.
565 Kodaly Level III: Methodology (2) Strategies and materials for listening lessons will be presented as well as teaching techniques for secondary classrooms. Students are expected to submit a 30-35 minute teaching tape for purposes of coordinating all Kodaly teaching skills. PREREQ: MUE 562 and 563.
566 Kodaly: Conducting (2) Designed to acquaint the student with the application and development of children's choral literature in performance using composed works of Kodaly and various other composers who have written for children.
567 Kodaly: Folk Music (2) Designed to review and identify folk song genre, identify principal researchers and collections, analyze materials collected, and submit project containing all materials.
568 Kodaly: Games and Materials (2) Designed to provide participants with materials for preparing, presenting, and reinforcing rhythmic and melodic concepts through game playing and dances.
569 Kodaly Methodology (1) Students will prepare and demonstrate their ability to teach using developmental and sequential Kodaly methodology. The project will include a written lesson plan, videotaped teaching demonstration, and post-conference reflection that demonstrate the students’ ability to satisfactorily apply the principles and process of Kodaly methodology to the music classroom. This project is a program-culminating activity required to qualify for certification in this methodology.
570 Orff-Schulwerk Level I: Basic Musicianship (2) Designed to develop fundamental Orff processes through the acquisition of basic musical skills through pentatonic activities.
571 Orff-Schulwerk Level I: Recorder (1) Designed to develop fundamental Orff processes through elemental proficiency on the soprano recorder.
572 Orff-Schulwerk Level I: Movement (1) Designed to develop fundamental Orff processes through movement - locomotor, dance, descriptive, free improvisation.
573 Orff-Schulwerk Level II: Basic Musicianship (2) Designed to develop theoretical comprehension of the evolution of elemental music through the Baroque period. Liturgical and diatonic modes are used as vehicles in developing harmonic concepts. PREREQ: MUE 570, 571, 572, or Level I Certification from AOSA accredited program. Admission to program by audition.
574 Orff-Schulwerk Level II: Recorder (1) Designed to develop skills on alto, tenor, and bass recorders through improvisation, accompaniment, and ensemble playing in various styles and historical periods. PREREQ: MUE 570, 571, 572.
575 Orff-Schulwerk Level II: Movement (1) Continued development of movement techniques through improvisation, choreography in set or free focus with either rhythm, music, or dramatic content, or a combination thereof. PREREQ: MUE 570, 571, 572.
576 Orff-Schulwerk Level III: Basic Musicianship (2) Designed to develop comprehension of 20th-century styles, theoretical and performance practices of Western and non-Western music, while using both ethnic and popular means. PREREQ: MUE 573, 574, 575.
577 Orff-Schulwerk Level III: Recorder (1) Continuation of Level II proficiencies and exploration of consort materials found in Orff-Schulwerk, Volumes 1-5. PREREQ: 573, 574, 575.
578 Orff-Schulwerk Level III: Movement (1) Continuation of Level II proficiencies; the analysis of ethnic and historical dances with appropriate choreographic notation in set and free form focus or a combination thereof. PREREQ: MUE 573, 574, 575.
579 Orff-Schulwerk: Recorder Ensemble (1) A culmination of recorder instruction, through performance analysis, and discussion into a survey of repertoire suitable for recorder consort and consort with subordinate instruments. PREREQ: MUE 573, 574, 575.
580 Orff-Schulwerk: Movement (1) An in-depth study to develop visual and spatial awareness, coordination and body control, imagination, improvisation, and kinesthetic understanding of musical elements as they interact within the Schulwerk process. PREREQ: MUE 573, 574, 575. Open, as an elective, to students demonstrating proficiency in creative movement, improvisation, and ethnic dance. Admission by audition.
581 Orff-Schulwerk: Instrumentation Practicum (1) A survey of works by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman for the instrumentarium which requires advanced performance skills. PREREQ: MUE 573, 574, 575. Open, as an elective, to students demonstrating playing proficiencies using basic techniques or unpitched and pitched instruments, as well as improvisational skills. Admission by audition.
582 Orff-Schulwerk Final Project (1) Preparation of Orff-Schulwerk final project, which will include written and audio-visual documents applying Orff-Schulwerk principles and processes to the music classroom.
583 Seminar in Orff-Schulwerk (2) Innovations and best practices in the Orff-Schulwerk process. Distinguished guest instructors will provide new direction for music educators. PREREQ: MUE 570, 571, 572.
591 Introduction to Notation, Sequencing, and Electronic Instruments (3) This course covers music notation software, sequencing software, and electronic instruments in the elementary and secondary music classroom.
592 Introduction to Computer-Assisted Instruction, Multimedia, and the Internet (3) This course covers computer-assisted instruction, multimedia, and the Internet in the elementary and secondary music classroom.
593 Notation for Music Education (3) This course covers notation software in the music classroom and as a tool for arranging and composing choral and instrumental music. PREREQ: MUE 591, 592.
596 Multimedia Authoring for Music Education (3) This course covers using, creating, and editing multimedia lessons for the music classroom. There will be an emphasis on customizing multimedia templates, and the development of custom, interactive music lessons. PREREQ: MUE 591, 592.
597 Digital Media for Music Education (3) This course covers creating and editing digital multimedia for the music classroom with an emphasis on text, graphics, sound, and video. Digital media will be integrated into presentation programs and stand-alone formats such as audio and video tape, and CD. PREREQ: MUE 591, 592.
598 Integrating Music Technology into the Classroom (3) This course will cover effective teaching strategies using music technology. Topics will include computer-assisted instruction, multimedia, Internet, notation software, sequencing software, and electronic instruments. PREREQ: MUE 591, 592.
600 Assessing and Evaluating Musical Learning (3) Review, analysis, and practical application of print and electronic assessment and evaluation strategies in music education. Strategies and tools will be developed for assessment of musical performance, musical creativity, and writing about music and musical experiences in all facets and levels of the elementary/secondary school music program.
601 Innovations in Elementary Music Education (3) Review, analysis, and practical applications of current and developing pedagogy, materials, assessment techniques for the K-6 elementary general music classroom. Instructors will include leading innovative guest faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise in this area. May be repeated one time for credit with permission of department.
602 Innovations in Middle School Music Education (3) Review, analysis, and practical applications of current and developing pedagogy, materials, assessment techniques for the Grade 5-8 middle school general music classroom. Instructors will include leading innovative guest faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise in this area.
603 Innovation in Instrumental Music Education (3) Review, analysis, and practical applications of current and developing pedagogy, materials, assessment techniques for the elementary/secondary instrumental music program. Instructors will include leading innovative guest faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise in this area.
605 Innovations in Movement in Music Education (3) Review, analysis, and practical applications of current and developing pedagogy, materials, assessment techniques for movement activities in the elementary/secondary school general music classroom. Instructors will include leading innovative guest faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise in this area. May be repeated one time for credit with permission of department.
679 Special Subjects Seminar (1-3) Significant topics presented by faculty members or visiting lecturers. Designed to meet specific needs of the seminar group.
682 Independent Study in Music (1-3) Individual research under the guidance of a faculty member. PREREQ: Permission of instructor.
691 Research Seminar in Music (2) A research proposal with supporting procedures is developed. Guidance in individual research topics, with tutorial assistance in form and style of research writing.
692 Research Report (2)
693 Music Technology Final Project (1) Preparation of a music technology project is developed in consultation with a faculty adviser in one of three domains: guided research into relevant topics in technology and music education in which students will select an appropriate topic, under advisement, and carry out the research and written document; curriculum development, allowing students to develop the curriculum for a course in music technology; and computer-aided instruction development where students will select an appropriate topic, under advisement, and design and build a stand-alone or Web-based application.
698 Recital Research (1)
