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Division of Music Education

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Joanne Erwin, Director

Kay Edwards, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Education

Joanne Erwin, Associate Professor of Music Education

Jody Kerchner, Assistant Professor of Music Education

John Knight, Professor of Music Education

General. The primary aim of the major in Music Education is to prepare students, through individualized programs of study, for the development of the artistry of teaching, music in public and private schools, grades PreK-12. This preparation includes a focus on high standards of musicianship and a thorough understanding of the total educational program in a variety of school settings.

 

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Major Study: Music Education (Vocal Emphasis)

Course Requirements Recommended Course

(Vocal Emphasis) Distribution

Hrs. Fresh Soph Junior Senior
21 Principal Private Study1 3 3 3 3 3 3 - 3
8 Secondary Study2 2 2 2 2 - - - -
5 Ensemble electives3 1 1 - 1 - 1 - 1
4 APST 260, 262 (Elem Choral Cond) - - 2 2 - - - -
1 MUED 101 (Intro to Mus Ed)4 1 - - - - - - -
2 MUED 102 (Practicum) - 2 - - - - - -
2 MUED 206 (Tchg Young Singers) - - - - 2 - - -
3 MUED 300 (Tchg Adolescents/Lab) - - - - 3 - - -
3 MUED 301 (Tchg Music to Children) - - - - - 3 - -
2 MUED 303 (Preschool Music Lab) - - - - - 1 - -
4 Instrument Classes5 - - 2 - 2 - - -
3 EDUC 300 (Principles of Ed) - - - - - - 3 -
3 PSYC 122 (Ed Psych) - - - - 3 - - -
10 MUED 400 (Student Teaching/Seminar)6 - - - - - - 10 -
12 MUTH 131, 132, 231, 232 (Music Theory) 3 3 3 3 - - - -
4 MUTH 101, 102, 201, 202 (Aural Skills) 1 1 1 1 - - - -
10 Music History electives7 - - 4 - 3 - - 3
18 Liberal Arts electives 3 3 - - - 6 - 6
9 Free electives 1 1 - 3 - 2 - 3
124 15 16 17 15 16 16 13 16

 

1 The principal private study is normally piano, organ, harpsichord, voice, or composition.

2 Four hours of secondary study are to be completed in piano or voice as determined by the results of a secondary audition. The secondary study must be voice if the principal private study is a keyboard instrument and piano if the principal private study is voice. Students whose principal private study is in other than voice or a keyboard instrument may choose either voice or piano for secondary study. However, proficiency in both voice and piano must be demonstrated at the time of the Comprehensive Musicianship Examination, and additional secondary study may be required if necessary.

3 Five semesters of choral ensembles are required, two of which must be APST 701 (Oberlin College Choir). The remainder of the eight-semester requirement is satisfied by two semesters of conducting class and a semester of student teaching. Full-time student teachers are not permitted to participate in large ensembles while student teaching. Half-time student teachers may participate in such ensembles providing that rehearsal schedules do not conflict with after-school student teaching commitments.

4 MUED100 may be substituted for MUED 101 wit hte permission of the Music Education Division.

5 To be completed are APST 272 or 273 (Stringed Instrument Class) and either APST 274 or APST 276 (Woodwind Instrument Class; Brass Instrument Class). Students who have had extensive experience playing an instrument may audition for a waiver of either or both of these requirements.

6 Student teaching may be completed in either the first or second semester.

7 Three courses in Music History are required, one of which must be MHST 290 (Introduction to African-American Music) or an ethnomusicology course. A limited number of music history hours beyond the first six may be applied to the liberal arts requirement for licensure.

8 One of the three Winter Terms must be devoted to this project, tupically prior to student teaching.

 

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Major Study: Music Education (Instrumental Emphasis)

Course Requirements Recommended Course

(Instrumental Emphasis) Distribution

Hrs. Fresh Soph Junior Senior
21 Principal Private Study1 3 3 3 3 3 3 - 3
4 Secondary Study1 2 2 - - - - - -
5 Ensemble electives2 1 1 1 1 - - - 1
4 APST 260, 261 (Elem Instr Cond) - - 2 2 - - - -
1 MUED 101 (Intro to Mus Ed) 1 - - - - - - -
2 MUED 102 (Practicum) - 2 - - - - - -
1 APST 235 (Percussion Instruments) - - - 1 - - - -
4 APST 272, 273 (String Class)3 - - - - 2 2 - -
4 APST 274, 275 (Woodwind Class)3 - - 2 2 - - - -
4 APST 276, 277 (Brass Class)3 - - - - 2 2 - -
3 MUED 300 (Tchg Adolescents/Lab) - - - - 3 - - -
3 MUED 301 (Tchg Music to Children) - - - - - 3 - -
2 MUED 304 (Instr Mus Prgms) - - - - 2 - - -
3 EDUC 300 (Principles of Ed) - - - - - - 3 -
3 PSYC 122 (Ed Psych) - - - - 3 - - -
10 MUED 400 (Student Teaching/Seminar)4 - - - - - - 10 -
12 MUTH 131, 132, 231, 232 (Music Theory) 3 3 3 3 - - - -
4 MUTH 101, 102, 201, 202 (Aural Skills) 1 1 1 1 - - - -
10 Music History electives5 - - 4 3 - - - 3
18 Liberal Arts electives 3 3 - - - 6 - 6
6 Free electives 1 1 - - 1 - - 3
124 15 16 16 16 16 16 13 16
Non-Course Requirements
First Major Committee - ˆ - - - - - -
Comprehensive Musicianship Exam - - - ˆ - - - -
Divisional Recital - - - - - ˆ - -
Winter Term Teaching Project6 - - (ˆ) - (ˆ) - (ˆ) -

 

1 The principal private study is normally an orchestral instrument, piano or composition. The secondary private study must be piano unless waived by audition. The secondary study requirement must be completed prior to student teaching.

2 Five semesters of ensembles are required, to be chosen from APST 710 (Oberlin Orchestra),
APST 711 (Oberlin Chamber Orchestra), APST 720 (Oberlin Wind Ensemble), APST 722 (College-Community Winds), or JAZZ 700 (Jazz EnsembleLarge Group). For wind, brass, and percussion students, two of the hours must be in APST 722 (College-Community Winds). For bowed-string students, one of the hours must be in APST 800 (Chamber Music). The remainder of the eight-semester requirement is satisfied by two semesters of conducting class and a semester of student teaching. Full-time student teachers are not permitted to participate in large ensembles while student teaching. Half-time student teachers may participate in such ensembles providing that rehearsal schedules do not conflict with after-school student teaching commitments.

3 See course descriptions for possible exceptions.

4 Student teaching may be completed in either the first or second semester.

5 Three courses in Music History are required, one of which must be MHST 290 (Introduction to African-American Music) or an ethnomusicology course. A limited number of music history hours beyond the first six may be applied to the liberal arts requirement for licensure.

6 One of the three Winter Terms must be devoted to this project.

Both vocal and instrumental emphasis:

Music Theory and Aural Skills Requirement. Students are expected to register for Music Theory and Aural Skills courses each semester until they have completed the requirements. Part or all of these requirements may be waived by placement examination when the student enters Oberlin. If the minimum passing scores are not achieved for placement in Music Theory I (MUTH 131) and Aural Skills I (MUTH 101), a student must first take Introduction to Music Theory (MUTH 120) and/or Introduction to Aural Skills (MUTH 100). If a student exempts Aural Skills I, II, III, or IV, then Aural Skills V (MUTH 301) becomes the terminal course in the sequence.

Music Theory I-IV and Aural Skills I-IV must be taken concurrently, e.g., a student will register for Music Theory I and Aural Skills I in the same semester. Under certain circumstances, with the permission of the appropriate division director and the Music Theory division director, students will be allowed to take Aural Skills IV and Music Theory IV separately. A student's aural skills requirement must be completed before the senior recital can be scheduled. Double-degree students will resolve any conflicts with these expectations in consultation with their advisors.

Electives. A student should select electives based on the following: a minimum of 76 hours of Conservatory courses is required; a minimum of 24 hours of liberal arts is required.

Proficiencies. All students majoring in Music Education must satisfy the writing and reading requirements below; those students desiring state licensure must also satisfy the mathematics requirement and must take an additional mathematics course to meet the distribution requirement described under "Licensure."

Expository Writing Proficiency. Students with an SAT verbal score below 580 or an ACT score below 24, or a TOEFL score below 600 must complete one course chosen from the EXWR 111-119 series.

Reading Requirement. All entering Music Education majors are required to take the Nelson Denny Reading Test. Those students at the 60th percentile or lower are required to take LRNS 102, Mastering Skills for Efficient Reading (one or two credits) or its equivalent.

Mathematics Requirement. Students whose SAT Math score is below 450 (ACT Math below 21) are required to take either MATH 101, Precalculus Mathematics (three credits or CSCI 101, Introduction to Computers and Computer Programming (three credits) or an equivalent course recommended by the director of the Learning Assistance Program. An additional math course must be taken to satisfy distribution requirements for teacher licensure.

Clinical and Field Experiences. Each student's course of study incorporates clinical and field experiences with children and adolescents beginning no later than the second year. Flexible content and sequence of the program and regular advising permit each student to meet specific needs and interests while satisfying state requirements.

Major Status.

Sophomore Major Status is attained upon completion of the First Major Committee in the student's Principal Private Study, MUED 101 (Introduction to Music Education), and the aural skills requirement.

Junior Major Status is attained upon completion of the Comprehensive Musicianship Examination.

Senior Major Status is attained upon completion of one divisional recital appearance.

Student Teaching. One semester of full-time student teaching is required for licensure and is normally done in school systems that are in or within an hour's drive of Oberlin. Students are encouraged to have a car available at this time. A student may arrange for off-campus student teaching; however, at least one semester of part-time teaching experience must be done in or near Oberlin prior to full-time student teaching. The off-campus teaching may occur in school systems overseas. Students who wish to arrange for this experience must initiate their plans through the director of the Music Education Division at least one full semester in advance. (MME and MMT candidates must consult with the director regarding full-time and part-time teaching.)

Full-time student teachers are not permitted to participate in large ensembles while student teaching. Half-time student teachers may participate in such ensembles providing that rehearsal schedules do not conflict with after-school student teaching commitments.

Licensure. The curriculum enables students to meet the requirements for teacher licensure in Ohio and other states that have reciprocity with Ohio, providing the student elects those courses required for licensure. State licensure for teaching music in Ohio public schools comprises three areas of study:

1. Content Studies (Music). Oberlin's music education curricula satisfy requirements in this area for all states.

2. Professional and Pedagogical Studies. Requirements include Educational Psychology and Principles of Education. Additionally, some music education courses satisfy requirements in this category.

3. General Studies (Liberal Arts). Students are to achieve "multicultural and global perspectives" in courses and experiences in eight academic areas: arts, communications, history, literature, mathematics, philosophy, sciences, and social sciences. Occasionally, an EXCO course or Winter Term experience might qualify as a substitution for a regular course. Some required, non-music courses may be completed at other institutions and transferred to Oberlin if they are needed for graduation; courses taken to fulfill licensure requirements beyond those necessary for graduation need not be transferred. Questions concerning the acceptability of specific courses/experiences should be referred to the Director of the Music Education Division.

All students seeking licensure must participate in field experiences in addition to student teaching. At Oberlin, these experiences begin in the first semester with field trips to area schools and continue throughout the curriculum in a sequence described in the Music Education Division Handbook. The sequence is designed to enable students to progress gradually through the skills and understandings necessary for successful student teaching in the final year. One of the three required Winter Term projects must be a field experience at a school other than the student's home high school. With the exception of the Winter Term Teaching Project, students travel to their pre-student-teaching settings in cars provided by the Music Education Division and are expected to have currently validated driver's licenses.

Prior to recommendation for licensure, the student must successfully complete the prescribed Ohio State Board of Education examination appropriate to the Music PreK-12 teaching license and satisfy fingerprinting and background-check requirements. Additional information about licensure requirements may be obtained in the Music Education Division Handbook.

Applicants for licensure must satisfy the writing, reading, and mathematics requirements detailed above and pass the State Board of Education Licensing Examination (portions of the ETS Praxis Core Battery) administered on several Ohio campuses and elsewhere on dates published annually. Applicants also must be fingerprinted in preparation for a background check by the FBI.

 

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Minor Study: Community Music

The Minor in Community Music is open to any degree student in the Conservatory who is recommended by her/his applied teacher and approved by the music education faculty. Approval may be granted only after successful completion of MUED 100 (The Art of Teaching Music) and the selection of an emphasis within the minor. Possible emphases are Applied Instruction, Early Childhood/After-school Programs, and Youth (Church, Community) Ensembles. Individually-designed emphases may be approved as well.

Course requirements (minimum 16 hours):

Required: MUED 100, PSYCH 122, APST 260.

Choose at least one: MUED 300, 301.

Choose from the following to complete a total of at least 16 hours: APST 210, 211, 230, 234, 261, 262, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277; MUED 103, 201; 206, 302, 303, 304, 305.

Non-course requirements:

Participation for at least one semester in an Oberlin ensemble open to the community (Musical Union, College-Community Winds, Collegium Musicum, Oberlin College Community Strings, Mandinka Ensemble, Javanese Gamelan, Performing Indian Music, Steel Band Ensemble) for 0-1 credit. (Please check ensemble course descriptions for those offered for no credit.)

At least one semester's work in a community-based setting on or off campus (e.g., String Preparatory Program, Music Lab, Oberlin Choristers, Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra, Oberlin Early Childhood Center, Oberlin Music Coalition, church music or youth program); arrangements through the Center for Service and Learning, supervised and assessed on site, monitored by the Music Education Division.

Eligibility. The student must be a degree student in the Conservatory

 

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Minor Study: Music Education

Course Requirements

Instrumental Emphasis: 16 credits including MUED 101, 102, 300, and 304; APST 260 and 261; APST 272, 274, or 276; APST 273, 275, or 277.1

Vocal Emphasis: 16 to 17 credits including MUED 101, 102, 206, 300, 301; APST 260 and 262; one course from MUED 201, 202, 207, 303.

1 The first-semester instrument class must be in an instrument family other than that of the principal applied instrument. The second-semester class must be in the instrument family of the principal applied instrument.

Eligibility. The student must be a degree student in the Conservatory.

 

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