Music Education, Vocal (B.M.)
Program Overview
Music Education, Vocal (B.M.)
The Music Education, Vocal (B.M.) program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in music and prepare them for a career in music education.
Program Requirements
- Performance Course Work: 21 hours
- Major instrument: 14 hours
- Major large ensemble: 7 hours
- MUSIC 1000 Recitals (taken every semester in residence): 0 hours
- Supporting Music Course Work: 41 hours
- Music history and literature: 8 hours
- MUSIC 2810 World Music Cultures: 3 hours
- Choose 8 credits from the following music history courses:
- MUSIC 3810 Music History and Literature I: Antiquity to 1700
- MUSIC 3820 Music History and Literature II
- MUSIC 3830 Music History: Gender and Sexuality
- MUSIC 3840 Music History: The Environment
- Music theory: 15 hours
- MUSIC 1630 Theory II: 3 hours
- MUSIC 1640 Basic Musicianship II: 1 hour
- MUSIC 2610 Theory III: 3 hours
- MUSIC 2620 Basic Musicianship III: 1 hour
- MUSIC 2630 Theory IV: 3 hours
- MUSIC 3610 Arranging and Instrumentation: 2 hours
- Music education: 12 hours
- MUSIC 2500 Conducting I: 2 hours
- MUSIC 2510 Conducting II: 2 hours
- MUSIC 3500 Advanced Conducting - Vocal: 2 hours
- MUSIC 3540 Elementary General Music Methods: 3 hours
- MUSIC 3550 Secondary Vocal Music Methods: 3 hours
- Music Technology: 2 hours
- MUSIC 2700 Computers and Technology for the Musician and the Music Educator: 2 hours
- Music history and literature: 8 hours
- Senior Comprehensive: 2 hours
- MUSIC 4980 Senior Capstone Seminar: 2 hours
- Proficiencies Required: Piano and Guitar
- Professional Education Courses Required for Certification: 28 hours
- EDUC 1010 Introduction to Education in the United States: 2 hours
- EDUC 1750 Field Experience: 1 hour
- EDUC 2050 Human Development and Learning I: 2 hours
- EDUC 2060 Human Development and Learning II: 2 hours
- EDUC 2850 Education in a Pluralistic Society: 3 hours
- SPED 2070 Understanding Human Differences or SPED 3070 Methods for Teaching Secondary Students with Disabilities: 3 hours
- EDUC 4790 Supervised Teaching in Elementary School Music and EDUC 4830 Supervised Teaching in Secondary School Music: 14 hours
- EDUC 4990 Student Teaching Seminar: 1 hour
Course Descriptions
MUSIC 1000 Recitals
No credit. Pass/Fail only.
MUSIC 2810 World Music Cultures
Key cultural concepts are used to explore music from selected global case studies. Social, cultural, and historical contexts are examined in relation to musical materials and their application in various traditions and repertoires. The fieldwork project (and experiential learning component) for this class requires some off-campus activities to be arranged by the student. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing and permission from the instructor.
MUSIC 3810 Music History and Literature I: Antiquity to 1700
This course provides a rigorous and detailed examination of the development of ideas and styles in the Western musical tradition from the middle ages through the 18th century, and also explores the relationships between the music and the history and culture of Europe and America.
MUSIC 3820 Music History and Literature II
Survey of Western music from the early 18th century to the late 19th century, focusing on distinctive features of musical styles, forms, and genres. Social and cultural contexts are examined in relation to musical materials and their application within specific repertoires. Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 2610 Theory III and MUSIC 2810 World Music Cultures; or permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 3830 Music History: Gender and Sexuality
This course provides a rigorous and detailed examination of select pieces across the Western music tradition related to gender and/or sexuality, and also explores the relationships between music, history, and culture. Through historiography and musical analysis, we will discuss systems of domination and subordination along with stereotyped and biased assumptions about women and men pertinent to the music of specific cultures and time periods. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 3840 Music History: The Environment
Through historiography and musical analysis this course provides a rigorous and detailed examination of select pieces across the Western music tradition related to the environment, and also explores the relationships between music, history, and culture. Focusing on works that engage the environment, the course content is designed to provide students with a foundational knowledge of key genres and social/cultural background from different historical periods across the Western music tradition; and give students a sophisticated understanding of the cultural, aesthetic, stylistic, and performance practice issues related to select pieces, using scholarly articles, source readings, and stylistic analysis (scoring, dynamics, rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form). Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 1630 Theory II
A continuation of Theory I including inversions of triads, non-harmonic tones, dominant seventh chords, and their resolutions. Emphasis is on four-part writing and analysis of music from the Common Practice Period. Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 1610 Fundamentals of Music Theory or permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 1640 Basic Musicianship II
Continuation of MUSIC 1620 Fundamentals of Basic Musicianship. Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 1620 Fundamentals of Basic Musicianship or permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 2610 Theory III
Seventh chords, including the diminished seventh chord; various types of modulation; introduction of secondary dominants; analysis and writing of the period, binary, and ternary song forms; choral harmonization; and modal scales. Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 1630 Theory II or permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 2620 Basic Musicianship III
A review of advanced sight-reading and ear training, drills in more complex rhythmic and melodic materials including chromatic formations, and increased emphasis on individual part-singing and harmonic dictation. Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 1640 Basic Musicianship II or permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 2630 Theory IV
Ninth chords and altered chords; modulation to distant keys; 20th century harmonic and melodic styles; introduction of new scale patterns; introduction to serial techniques of composition; and writing and singing applicable to later developments of harmony and melody. Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 2610 Theory III or permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 3610 Arranging and Instrumentation
The study of arranging techniques for instrumental and vocal ensembles, including the ranges and capabilities of instruments and voices and scoring procedures. Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 2630 Theory IV.
MUSIC 2500 Conducting I
An introduction to technique and conducting style with emphasis given to developing a nonbaton competency. Attention also will be given to vocal interpretation and choral score reading. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 2510 Conducting II
Continuation of MUSIC 2500 Conducting I with emphasis on instrumental pedagogy, principles of instrumental transcription, orchestration, instrumental ranges and idiomatic characteristics, and score preparation. Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 2500 Conducting I or permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 3500 Advanced Conducting - Vocal
A study of advanced conducting techniques adapted to individual student need. Emphasis will be placed on an in-depth study of choral style, literature, and various philosophies of choral singing. Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 2510 Conducting II or permission of the instructor.
MUSIC 3540 Elementary General Music Methods
A survey of teaching vocal music in the elementary school (grades K-6). Emphasis is on methods, materials, and the philosophy of music as a public school subject. Prerequisite(s): Acceptance in the Teacher Education Program or by permission of the chair of the Department of Education. Must have passed piano proficiency and PPST exam.
MUSIC 3550 Secondary Vocal Music Methods
A survey of teaching vocal music in the secondary schools (grades 7-12). Emphasis is on administration, organization, rehearsal procedures, materials, and the philosophy of music as a public school subject. Prerequisite(s): Acceptance in the Teacher Education Program or by permission of the chair of the Department of Education. Must have passed piano proficiency and PPST exam.
MUSIC 2700 Computers and Technology for the Musician and the Music Educator
The course is offered to explore the essential topics a musician should consider when using computers and technology - whether for the purpose of listening, performing, composing, or teaching. Covering subjects ranging from music CAI (Computer Assisted Instruction) and desktop publishing to notation sequencing and MIDI and multimedia and CD audio, this course is designed as an introductory undergraduate course devoted to computers as applied to music technology for the musician and music educator.
MUSIC 4980 Senior Capstone Seminar
Advanced research methods, analytical writing, and professional presentation skills compromise the primary components of this rigorous culminating course, which focuses on the integration and application of knowledge and prepares students for the transition from their undergraduate education into their future profession. The Senior Capstone Seminar should be taken during the student's last year in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Prerequisite(s): Music major with senior standing or permission of the instructor.
EDUC 1010 Introduction to Education in the United States
A course providing a broad, general survey of education in the United States, designed to help students decide whether to continue coursework in professional education. This course is a prerequisite to further work in the department.
EDUC 1750 Field Experience
A course designed to allow students an opportunity to determine if they have a talent for teaching. Students will be assigned to assist a preschool, elementary, or secondary school teacher for a designated period of time each week. May be repeated a maximum of three times. Pass/Fail only. Pre or corequisite(s): EDUC 1010 Introduction to Education in the United States.
EDUC 2050 Human Development and Learning I
A course designed to acquaint students with the basic principles of growth and all phases of human development. Students will be required to assist an elementary or secondary teacher for a 50-minute period twice a week. Pre or corequisite(s): EDUC 1010 Introduction to Education in the United States or permission of the instructor.
EDUC 2060 Human Development and Learning II
A continuation of EDUC 2050 Human Development and Learning I with emphasis on the principles of learning and their application in the field of education. Secondary students will be required to assist a school teacher for a 50-minute period twice a week. Pre or corequisite(s): EDUC 1010 Introduction to Education in the United States and EDUC 2050 Human Development and Learning I, or permission of the instructor.
EDUC 2850 Education in a Pluralistic Society
This course, which meets the Nebraska Human Relations Training requirement for teacher certification, focuses on the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanics. In addition, it seeks to sensitize students to dehumanizing biases experienced by groups due to race, ethnicity, gender, social class, religion, exceptionality, sexual orientation, and language background.
SPED 2070 Understanding Human Differences
This course provides an overview of basic concepts related to the inclusive education of differently abled students. A broad understanding of a range of low and high incidence disabilities will be explored. Historical factors, legislation, litigation, service delivery models, and cross-cultural issues are examined in the course. Students will complete a fieldwork experience that will allow them an opportunity to assist kindergarten, elementary, middle school, or junior high special education students for a designated period of time.
SPED 3070 Methods for Teaching Secondary Students with Disabilities
A course designed to acquaint secondary education students with appropriate teaching strategies and methodologies for the regular classroom when teaching students who are gifted or have mild/moderate disabilities. Legal responsibilities and obligations concerning both populations are also discussed. A field experience is included as part of this course.
EDUC 4790 Supervised Teaching in Elementary School Music
Students work with one or more music teachers in an elementary school. Prerequisite(s): Acceptance into the Teacher Education Program or permission of the department chair.
EDUC 4830 Supervised Teaching in Secondary School Music
Students work with one or more music teachers in a secondary school. Prerequisite(s): Completion of preliminary student teaching requirements or approval of the department chair.
EDUC 4990 Student Teaching Seminar
A capstone course that meets biweekly for two hours to focus on two areas: first, to provide a structured and safe environment to dialogue about student teaching successes and concerns; and second, invited speakers, students and the instructor will discuss topics most pertinent to student teaching, how to obtain a teaching position, and critical issues for the beginning teacher. Topics include educational law, morals and ethics, student/teacher/parent rights and responsibilities, establishing and maintaining positive communication with the staff and community, as well as interviewing and job search skills. Corequisite(s): Student teaching or permission of the department chair.