Music with Certification in Education
The Music Department offers a B.A. in Music with Certification in Education K-12. Education students at Caldwell University actually graduate with two majors, a content major (Music), AND an Education major. The content courses ensure that you know what to teach, while the education courses ensure that you know how to teach.
Music education majors develop the necessary skills to become successful teachers through a variety of courses and ensembles. Caldwell music courses include music theory and history, ear-training and conducting, as well as classes to learn how to play many instruments and rehearse instrumental and choral ensembles. In addition, there are many exciting performance opportunities for music education majors including the marching band, wind ensemble, chorale, jazz ensemble, and the percussion ensemble. Learn more about the Caldwell Music Education program by contacting Professor Rebecca Vega at rvega@caldwell.edu.
The department offers a B.A. in Music. This program of study is an excellent subject area for Elementary Education majors and for Secondary Education majors pursuing certification to teach grades K-12.
Each music major is required to present either a senior recital with prepared program notes or a senior project (paper and lecture presentation) during their senior year. This 1 credit, independent study (MU 495/496) will be graded and, if necessary, re-taken according to university policy. The student’s advisor/major teacher and at least one other faculty member will be present at the performance to provide a written evaluation and the final grade. The music history and theory faculty members will assist in assessing research and analysis portions of the outcomes assessment project. Procedures and requirements are available from the department chair.
Music Education Majors seeking K-12 certification in music, must fulfill the requirements set by the Education Department before student teaching during their last semester. Students are required to fulfill practical field experience as part of several education courses and will be placed appropriately into a variety of classes, K-12, including both instrumental and vocal music, to prepare them for this final semester. During Student Teaching, students teach full time in designated schools and attend a weekly university seminar. Students are under the direction of a Master Music teacher and a university supervisor who is certified in music education.
Students who major in Music Education seeking K-12 teaching certification must complete:
Course Code : MU 100E
Course Description :
This class offers basic instruction in posture, breathing, resonance and support for classical singing. Presents basic principles for overcoming performance anxiety and proper performance etiquette. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
OR
Course Code : MU 101E
Course Description :
This class offers basic instruction in posture, breathing, resonance and support for classical singing. Presents basic principles for overcoming performance anxiety and proper performance etiquette. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 103
Course Description :
Study of tonal harmony beginning with fundamental review and covering part-writing using triads, figured bass and harmonic progressions, and analysis of cadences, formal structures and non-chord tones.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU 117 or Basic Skills Test.
Co requisites :
MU 118 and MU 126
Course Code : MU 104
Course Description :
Continues course of study in tonal harmony with non-chord tones, diatonic seventh chords, partwriting and analysis.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU 103.
Co requisites :
MU 119 and MU 127
Course Code : MU 118
Course Description :
Develops aural recognition, sight-performance, and dictation skills within the context of all major modalities and simple meters.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU 117 or placement test.
Co requisites :
MU 103 and MU 126
Course Code : MU 119
Course Description :
Extends aural recognition, sight-performance, and dictation skills within the context of minor modalities and compound meters.
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : Lecture: 1 Hours
Prerequisites :
MU 118.
Co requisites :
MU 104 and MU 127
Course Code : MU 123
Course Description :
Examines and compares elements of musical teaching and learning as well as provides overviews of classroom, instrumental and choral music programs. This introductory course is offered early in the college experience in order to provide some perspective into the learning and working experiences of future music educators.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 126
Course Description :
Practical application at the keyboard, of concepts studied in Theory I; Includes scales, arpeggios, intervals and melodies with chordal accompaniment.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU 117 or Keyboard test
Co requisites :
MU103, MU118
Course Code : MU 127
Course Description :
Practical application at the keyboard, of concepts studied in Theory II; Includes chord progressions, melodies with accompaniment figures.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU126
Co requisites :
MU104, MU119
Course Code : MU 203
Course Description :
Continues course of study in tonal harmony including Neapolitan and Augmented chords, more modulation and composition.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU104
Co requisites :
MU218, MU226
Course Code : MU 208
Course Description :
Develops basic playing skills and pedagogical techniques for teaching violin, viola, cello and double bass at the elementary and secondary school levels. Fee Required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 218
Course Description :
Extends aural recognition to cadential patterns; sight-performance and dictation skills to include modulating and modal melodies; and including irregular meters and complex rhythmic patterns.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU119
Co requisites :
MU203, MU226
Course Code : MU 226
Course Description :
Continued application of theoretical principles of music. Study focuses on song accompaniments, 4-part chorales, and 2-part open scores.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU127
Co requisites :
MU 203 and MU 218.
Course Code : MU 308
Course Description :
Develops basic playing skills and pedagogical techniques for teaching flute and clarinet or saxophone at the elementary and secondary school levels. Fee Required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 310
Course Description :
Emphasizes skills necessary to rehearse and conduct choral and instrumental ensembles. Required participation in an ensemble and actual performances are part of the experience.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU104
Course Code : MU 318
Course Description :
Surveys the music, musicians and musical life in Europe from antiquity to 1750.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
MU104 or permission of instructor.
Course Code : MU 319
Course Description :
Continues survey of music, musicians and musical life in Europe, and the Americas from the late eighteenth century to the present.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
MU318 or permission of instructor
Course Code : MU 323
Course Description :
Develops proficiency in arranging music for small instrumental ensembles, both with and without solo voice. Specific emphasis is placed on developing the skills necessary to arrange music published for specific instrumentation or voices for the available performers in the class.
Credit : 2
Prerequisites :
MU203
Course Code : MU 350
Course Description :
Introduction to general principles for using computers and electronic instruments in music, to the nature of sound and recording. Intensive instruction in music notation; introduction to computer based audio editing and recording
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU103 or permission of the instructor.
Course Code : MU 408
Course Description :
Develops basic playing skills and pedagogical techniques for teaching trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium and tuba at the elementary and secondary school levels. Fee Required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 421
Course Description :
Develops fundamental concepts of percussion equipment as applicable in K-12 school music programs. Course topics will include organization of the school percussion program, teaching rhythm, equipment selection and maintenance, fundamental instrumental techniques, and pedagogical techniques and methods for private and group instruction. Instruments to be studied will include concert snare drum, keyboard percussion, orchestral accessories, Latin percussion, timpani, and drum set. Fee Required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 425
Course Description :
Analysis of musical structure and form from motives and phrases to compound structures such as Sonata Allegro or Theme and Variations form. Includes comparison of styles of major composers and composition projects.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU203
Course Code : MU 431
Course Description :
Explores various philosophies of elementary music education, including Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze. Investigates current texts and techniques for teaching elementary school music.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU126
Course Code : MU 434
Course Description :
Continues instruction in conducting with discussion, exploration and development of skills for recruitment, auditioning, programming, rehearsal and performance preparation of Jr. and Sr. High choral groups.
Credit : 2
Prerequisites :
MU123, MU310
Course Code : MU 438
Course Description :
Continues instruction in conducting with discussion, exploration and development of skills for recruitment, auditioning, programming, rehearsal and performance preparation of Jr. and Sr. High instrumental groups.
Credit : 2
Prerequisites :
MU123, MU310
Course Code : MU 495
Course Description :
Music majors are expected to synthesize their musical study with a final project developed with the assistance of a faculty advisor. The recital repertoire will be planned by the applied instructor, coach/accompanist and student. By permission of faculty advisor.
Credit : 1
OR
Course Code : MU 496
Course Description :
Music majors are expected to synthesize their musical study with a final project developed with the assistance of a faculty advisor. This provides the opportunity to explore areas of musical interest outside of regular course offerings. By permission of faculty advisor.
Credit : 1
Take 8 credits of Applied Music in an individual instrument. *Vocal majors are required to take one semester of piano or guitar in addition.
Take 8 credits of Applied Music on an individual instrument. Singers will take 7 credits of Applied Music (MU101-401) plus 1 credit of piano or guitar.
Course Code : MU 101
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 102
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 201
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 202
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 301
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 302
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 401
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 402
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Ensemble requirements:
Take 8 credits from:
Course Code : MU 125
Course Description :
Provides rehearsal and performance of varied vocal literature. Performance in at least two concerts and many university celebrations. Placement audition required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 130
Course Description :
Preparation and performance of songs, arias, scenes and acts from musical theater, operetta and opera. Students will assist in all aspects of production, such as musical preparation, costuming, staging, program design. Open by audition to singers and pianists. Applied lessons for voice may be required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 135
Course Description :
Study of wind ensemble literature and performance in major concerts. Placement audition required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 136
Course Description :
This course provides the string student an opportunity to rehearse and perform with an orchestra. The rehearsals and performances take place off campus.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
Instructor approval.
Course Code : MU 140
Course Description :
Performance of jazz literature and study of improvisation. Placement audition required.
Credit : 1
*All instrumentalists participate in chamber ensembles (MU141) as required (see chamber ensemble requirement).
Take six semesters of MU225
Take six semesters of MU225
Audition Requirement:
Students are required to audition for the music faculty to be accepted into the program as a major or minor. Auditions are held during the spring semester and audition requirements are listed on the music department Web page. (Students may contact the department chair with questions or exceptional needs.)
Performance Class Requirement:
All students registered in Applied Music courses MU 101-402 are required to register for and attend MU 225 Performance Classes. Students will perform in the class as required by their applied music instructor.
Ensemble Requirement:
Performing as part of an ensemble is a major factor in learning to be a well-rounded, informed and competent musician. All music majors and students receiving a scholarship are required to participate in at least one ensemble each semester whether for one credit or zero credit. Current ensembles are choir, jazz ensemble, wind ensemble and opera/musical theatre workshop.
Chamber Ensemble Requirement:
Performing in a chamber ensemble allows students to sharpen their musical and technical skills. There are solo opportunities and the challenge of playing in a group without the aid of a conductor. Participation in a chamber ensemble is required of all music majors and minors at the discretion of the applied music instructor. Current chamber ensembles are flute, clarinet, brass, string and percussion.
Sophomore Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated at the end of their sophomore year and a recommendation will be made as to whether they may continue as a major. This recommendation will be based upon:
- Satisfactory completion of Theory I, II, and III (Grade of C or higher).
- Satisfactory progress on their chosen instrument or voice, based upon a “Jury hearing” by at least two faculty including their private teacher, at the completion of their sophomore year or 4th semester of private study (whichever comes first).
Students who are not able to pass these requirements may use their credits for a minor, and are encouraged to continue to participate in ensembles and lessons, but will not continue as music majors.