Master of Music Education at University of New Hampshire

The B.M. music education is the traditional program of choice for students seeking a career as a school music teacher. The bachelor of music degree in music education provides a route to undergraduate certification leading to state of New Hampshire teacher certification in music, grades K-12 (cert. #612.13). New Hampshire also participates in a reciprocal agreement with many other states: the Interstate Certification Compact.

Successful applicants must demonstrate a high degree of musical competence and promise of future growth as a performer. A firm commitment to leading school musicians to artistic success is expected, as is a willingness to acquire the breadth of skills required for K-12 music certification. Continuation in the B.M. music education program is made with the recommendation of the appropriate faculty members and contingent upon personal commitment to the teacher licensure program.

Students interested in a five-year, bachelor/masters degree program typically complete the B.M pre-teaching (described elsewhere) as an undergraduate and apply to the UNH Department of Education for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (Secondary) degree program.

Students in music education must maintain an overall minimum 2.8 grade-point average at the time of application for student teaching (February 15 of junior year). Any education course taken for a teacher licensure requirement must be completed with a B- or better.

B.M. music education majors may use MUSI 501 The Western Musical Canon (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the Fine and Performing Arts Discovery category requirement. In addition, they may use MUSI 502 Musics in Context (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the Inquiry Discovery category requirement, and MUSI 515 Music in World Cultures (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the World Cultures Discovery category requirement.

All bachelor of music students are required to give a public performance during their senior year, which fulfills the Discovery Program capstone requirement:

• For students in the music education option, a half recital is required.

The four-year bachelor of music in music education curriculum is highly structured due to the number of required courses to complete. In the table below is the list of additional classes required to earn a degree and a certificate to teach. Students may elect a vocal/choral or instrumental emphasis. See curriculum chart for differing requirements.

• Students will exhibit the skills necessary for artistic expression at the highest possible level as defined by their particular area of concentration in solo and small ensemble (not conducted) and large ensemble (conducted) settings.
• Students will exhibit competency in musicianship and analysis through: their understanding of musical forms and processes aural, verbal and visual analyses skill in performance, academic, pedagogical, and compositional applications rudimentary ability to create derivative or original music.
• Students will demonstrate familiarity with musical literature from the formal concert repertory and from musical traditions outside of that repertory. Students will demonstrate the ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
• Students will demonstrate collegiate-level skill in the English language and competence in written and oral communication in English.
• Demonstrate the ability to use technologies current to their area of specialization for professional development and entrepreneurship, and career preparation and promotion.
• Students demonstrate ability to lead students to increased musical knowledge and advancing musical performance.
• Students demonstrate knowledge of age-appropriate vocal and instrumental pedagogy.
• Students demonstrate an understanding of best practices and applicable learning theories in music education.
• Students demonstrate the ability to prepare classes and rehearsals via score study and lesson planning that includes awareness of needed modifications.
• Students aurally discern accuracy and expressive elements in student performances.
• Students demonstrate the ability to assess their pupils' learning and progress in conjunction with best educational practices.
• Students are able to assess the success of their own class teaching and rehearsals.