Be purposeful

Mongolian music workshop at UVM
UVM music trip to China, summer 2012
Engaging classroom lectures
Jake Lester in China
UVM collaboration with Srinivas Krishnan
UVM music classroom 202
UVM music education and music-COMP students
The music department is located in Southwick Hall
students studying

The Music Program works cooperatively with the College of Education and Social Services to offer a program in Music Education that leads to both a Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree and licensure for teaching music, grades Pre K-12. The UVM Music Education program maintains an active presence on-campus as well as within Vermont and the northeast. Music Education students learn the musical and pedagogical skill and knowledge needed in today's classrooms. Learn more about the hands-on experiences of students in the B.S. in Music Education.

Why teach music?

For many musicians, becoming a choral, instrumental, and/or general music teacher in a pre-school, elementary, middle, and/or high school setting is a very rewarding career path. If you love music and want to share your enthusiasm and expertise with students, music education is the career for you.

Admission to the program

All students interested in majoring in music must pass an entrance audition on an instrument or voice and be admitted to the university. 

In addition, prospective music education students are encouraged to speak with the Music Education director,  Andrea Maas (email), either on their audition day or over e-mail before joining the program.

What courses will I take?

In their first two years in the program, Music Education majors take Introduction to Music Education, as well as five specific techniques courses (Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Strings, and Voice) to prepare them for teaching technique and performance practice in these areas. Once these courses are completed, students move on to the three comprehensive pedagogy courses: General Music Methods, Vocal Music Methods, and Instrumental Music Methods. Each of these three course has an associated practicum that represents the students' first teaching experiences in a public school classroom. Music Education majors also take two semesters of conducting and music history, as well as four semesters of music theory. Other classes include General Education courses and education courses in the College of Education and Social Services, as well as private studio lessons, and performance ensembles.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.S. Music Education degree, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate advanced music education skills, knowledge, and understandings
  • Demonstrate advanced skill on a single instrument or voice
  • Describe and apply intermediate music theory knowledge and skills
  • Describe and apply intermediate music history and literature knowledge
  • Demonstrate intermediate proficiency on the piano
  • After graduating, alumni demonstrate professional success in music education

Beyond the classroom

Music Education students begin teaching in local K-12 schools as early as their first semester of study. Some students have also acted as music composition mentors in the nationally acclaimed Music-COMP Project. During their senior year, Music Education students will be placed at a Vermont K-12 school in a teaching apprenticeship under an experienced music educator.

Students also have opportunities to interact with state and national organizations at regional conferences, such as:

An exciting component of the Music Education Program at the University of Vermont is the opportunity to travel internationally to study music, culture, and music teaching and learning in culturally diverse locations. It is a goal of the Music Education Program that each student participate in at least one international opportunity during his or her time at UVM. Foreign study has included travel to India, Mexico, and China in recent years.

Graduate employment rate

98%

CESS students employed full-time or continuing their education within six months of graduation.

Careers

  • music teacher (K-12)
  • private music instructor
  • band or orchestra conductor
  • performer

Where alumni work

  • Burlington High School
  • Winooski High School
  • Washington Waldorf School
  • Stowe Middle/High School
  • and many other schools throughout VT and New England

Graduate Schools

  • Boston University
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Southern Maine
  • University of Hawai'i at Manoa