Program Overview
The undergraduate Music Education degree normally takes four years to complete and includes courses in music education, musicianship studies, general education, and field experiences. Each year students engage in increasingly intensive field experiences, culminating with a semester of full-time student teaching in the last year.
All music education majors must maintain a portfolio of work providing evidence of their suitability for teaching. Portfolios are reviewed as part of the Sophomore Review taken near the completion of 60 credits. Music Education majors must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Students whose general progress is unsatisfactory or whose cumulative grade point average falls below a minimum 3.0 level may be dropped from the Music Education major. If a student is dropped from the major because of failure to maintain the minimum grade point average, s/he may apply for readmission to the Music Education department. Readmission will be dependent upon various criteria, including the G.P.A., current academic progress and the student’s general standing. Decisions regarding retention or appeals will be made in a manner consistent with state and institutional non-discrimination policies.
To graduate, students must complete all requirements for New Jersey teacher certification for Certified Educator with Advanced Standing (CEAS). Students who want to be able to apply for teaching positions in other states should become familiar with teacher certification requirements for states of interest ASAP to determine if additional coursework is needed. In addition to successfully completing required coursework, the State of New Jersey requires students to:
1. Satisfy basic skills (reading, writing, math) proficiency as a prerequisite for taking the Sophomore Review. Proficiency is satisfied for students who score at or above the identified cut scores on the SAT or ACT. Students who do not have sufficient SAT or ACT test scores must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills tests to satisfy basic skills proficiency.
2. Complete a minimum of 50 hours of clinical experience during the first four semesters and 175 hours of clinical practice before full-time clinical practice (student teaching).
3. Pass the Praxis Music Content Exam.
4. Pass the performance-based edTPA Exam.
For more information about non-course program requirements, see links on Undergraduate Music Education Homepage.
Curriculum Overview
The Music Education curriculum includes courses in elementary and secondary general music education, choral music education, instrumental studies, music technology and creativity, and students with special needs. An innovative four-course sequence integrates theoretical foundations of planning, teaching, assessing, and musicianship development with practical application through peer teaching and field-based music teaching. The undergraduate Music Education curriculum is intended to develop teachers who are reflective, who acknowledge the connections music has to the child’s world and who seek to promote an understanding of those connections in a social context.
Degrees Offered
- B.M. in Music Education
- Dual Degree Program: B.M. in Music Education/Master of Music Education
Contact
Tom T. Shelton, Jr., M.M.
Associate Professor and Chairperson
Department of Choral Conducting, Music Education and Sacred Music
School of Westminster Choir College
Omega House #211
609-896-5000 x8274
tshelton@rider.edu
Program Website: Music Education
Associated Department/College: Music Education/Westminster Choir College
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Related Programs
Faculty
Jason Vodicka • Associate Professor, Music Education, 2018. B.M., M.M., Westminster Choir College of Rider University; D.M.A., University of Georgia.
Sangmi Kang • Assistant Professor, Music Education, 2018. B.M., M.M., Seoul National University; Ph.D., University of Florida.
Marshall Onofrio • Professor, Music Education, 2007. B.M., B.S., University of Connecticut; M.M., University of Illinois; M.M., University of Nebraska-Lincoln; D.M.A., The Ohio State University.
Sarah Perry • Assistant Professor, Music Education, 2021. B.S., Elizabethtown College; M.A., M.E., Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University.
G. Preston Wilson, Jr. • Assistant Professor, Music Education, 2021. B.M., Fisk University; M.M., Bowling Green State University.
Music Education Program Requirements
(131 credits)
Learn more about General Undergraduate Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choirs and Conducting | ||
| CR 109 | Chapel Choir (2 terms) | 2 |
| CR 209 | Schola Cantorum (2 terms) | 2 |
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir (3 terms) | 3 |
| CR 215 | Fundamentals of Conducting | 3 |
| CR 315 | Techniques of Conducting | 3 |
| Applied Music and Diction | ||
| Select one of the following concentrations: | 14 | |
| Organ Concentration | ||
| Organ Primary (2 terms) | ||
| Organ Primary (2 terms) | ||
| Organ Primary (2 terms) | ||
| Organ Primary (1 term) | ||
| Piano Concentration | ||
| Piano Primary (2 terms) | ||
| Piano Primary (2 terms) | ||
| Piano Primary (2 terms) | ||
| Piano Primary (1 term) | ||
| Voice Concentration | ||
| Voice Primary (2 terms) | ||
| Voice Primary (2 terms) | ||
| Voice Primary (2 terms) | ||
| Voice Primary (1 term) | ||
| Voice or Piano secondary (4 terms) | 4 | |
| VC 115 | English & Italian Diction 1 | 2 |
| VC 116 | French & German Diction 1 | 2 |
| Theory and Music History | ||
| TH 141 & TH 142 & TH 241 | Musicianship I and Musicianship II and Musicianship III | 12 |
| TH 342 | Contemporary Trends | 3 |
| Theory level I elective | 3 | |
| Theory level II elective | 3 | |
| MH 247 & MH 248 | Music Historiography I and Music Historiography II | 6 |
| MH 345 | Music Since 1900 | 3 |
| Music History elective | 3 | |
| Professional Studies | ||
| ME 111 | Music Education Lab (7 terms) | 0 |
| ME 161 | Art of Teaching Music I | 3 |
| ME 187 | Instrumental Music: Strings | 1 |
| ME 188 | Instrumental Music: Winds/Percussion | 2 |
| ME 262 | Art of Teaching Music II | 4 |
| ME 492 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| ME 563 | Art of Teaching Music III | 4 |
| ME 564 | Art of Teaching Music IV | 4 |
| ME 587 | Music in Special Educ | 1 |
| ME 592 | Creativity & Music Technology | 2 |
| Arts and Sciences | ||
| CMP 125 | Seminar in Writing and Research | 3 |
| PSY 100 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 230 | Child Development | 3 |
| or PSY 231 | Youth and Adolescent Development | |
| Literature or Philosophy elective | 3 | |
| Science elective | 3 | |
| Social Science elective | 3 | |
| History elective | 3 | |
| Mathematics elective | 3 | |
| Free Electives | ||
| Free electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 131 | |
Notes
- 1
VC 115 and VC 116 are required for voice primary students only. Organ and piano primary students may substitute four additional credits of free electives for these two courses.
- 2
Students must successfully complete a portfolio review at the end of the sophomore year in order to continue as music education majors. Transfer students with sophomore status must successfully complete the portfolio review at the end of the first year of study.
Academic Plan of Study
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| CR 109 | Chapel Choir | 1 |
| PI 103 or VC 103 |
Piano Secondary I or Voice Secondary |
1 |
| OR 101A |
Organ Primary or Piano Primary or Voice Primary |
2 |
| TH 141 | Musicianship I | 4 |
| ME 111 | Music Education Lab | 0 |
| ME 187 | Instrumental Music: Strings | 1 |
| CMP 125 | Seminar in Writing and Research | 3 |
| Math elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CR 109 | Chapel Choir | 1 |
| PI 104 or VC 103 |
Piano Secondary II or Voice Secondary |
1 |
| OR 101A |
Organ Primary or Piano Primary or Voice Primary |
2 |
| ME 111 | Music Education Lab | 0 |
| ME 161 | Art of Teaching Music I | 3 |
| ME 188 | Instrumental Music: Winds/Percussion | 2 |
| PSY 100 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| TH 142 | Musicianship II | 4 |
| VC 115 | English & Italian Diction 1 | 2 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CR 215 | Fundamentals of Conducting | 3 |
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
| PI 203 or VC 203 |
Piano Secondary III or Voice Secondary |
1 |
| OR 201A |
Organ Primary or Piano Primary or Voice Primary |
2 |
| MH 247 | Music Historiography I | 3 |
| ME 111 | Music Education Lab | 0 |
| ME 262 | Art of Teaching Music II | 4 |
| TH 241 | Musicianship III | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CR 315 | Techniques of Conducting | 3 |
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
| OR 201A |
Organ Primary or Piano Primary or Voice Primary |
2 |
| PI 204 or VC 203 |
Piano Secondary for Mus Ed & Sacred Music or Voice Secondary |
1 |
| ME 111 | Music Education Lab | 0 |
| MH 248 | Music Historiography II | 3 |
| TH 342 | Contemporary Trends | 3 |
| VC 116 | French & German Diction 1 | 2 |
| Arts & Sciences elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
| OR 301A |
Organ Primary or Piano Primary or Voice Primary |
2 |
| MH 345 | Music Since 1900 | 3 |
| ME 111 | Music Education Lab | 0 |
| ME 592 | Creativity & Music Technology | 2 |
| PSY 230 or PSY 231 |
Child Development or Youth and Adolescent Development |
3 |
| Theory Level I elective | 3 | |
| Arts & Sciences elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
| OR 301A |
Organ Primary or Piano Primary or Voice Primary |
2 |
| ME 111 | Music Education Lab | 0 |
| MH 433 | Seminar in Music History | 3 |
| ME 563 | Art of Teaching Music III | 4 |
| Theory Level II elective | 3 | |
| Arts & Sciences elective | 3 | |
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
| OR 401A |
Organ Primary or Piano Primary or Voice Primary |
2 |
| ME 111 | Music Education Lab | 0 |
| ME 564 | Art of Teaching Music IV | 4 |
| Arts & Sciences elective | 3 | |
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Recital | ||
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ME 492 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| ME 587 | Music in Special Educ | 1 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation | 131 | |
Courses and Descriptions
ME 111 Music Education Lab 0 Credits
Undergraduates must meet the weekly attendance and participation requirement for Music Education Lab during every semester of enrollment up to seven semester as an undergraduate Music Education major except for the student teaching semester. Grading is “P” (satisfactory) or “U” (unsatisfactory). As part of the Music Education Lab experience, students are required to complete 15 hours of professional development.
ME 161 Art of Teaching Music I 3 Credits
Art of Teaching Music I (ATM I) is a first in the sequence of Music Education courses designed to prepare the undergraduate Music Education major students for their student teaching experience and completion of their teaching licensure. There will be field observations of master teachers under the aegis of a music education faculty that will allow students not only to observe, but to have guided experience in assessing how teaching and learning are experienced in real classrooms. Partnerships between local expert teachers and music education faculty will allow students to complete field observations as well as guided experience in teaching and assessing students in real classrooms.
ME 187 Instrumental Music: Strings 1 Credits
This course is designed as an introduction to the pedagogy of string instruments. Emphasis is on learning through performance. Instruments are required. Various methods and materials available for use in public schools, developmental ranges, transposition, scoring, and idiomatic writing are investigated. When available, instruments may be rented from the college. Rental fee, per instrument: $25.
ME 188 Instrumental Music: Winds/Percussion 2 Credits
This course is designed as an introduction to the pedagogy of brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Emphasis is on learning through performance. Instruments are required. Various methods and materials available for use in public schools, developmental ranges, transposition, scoring and idiomatic writing are investigated. When available, instruments may be rented from the college. Students must provide their own drum pads and sticks. Rental fee, per instrument: $60.
ME 471 Music and Hip Hop Culture 3 Credits
Hip Hop in the United States is arguably the most lucrative, popular, and culturally challenging contemporary musical force. The narratives of Hip Hop go beyond the boundaries of race and class as well as those of music, poetry and dance. As such, Hip Hop is a phenomenon that presents problems as well as great possibilities. This course explores them from the standpoint of educational sociology, looking at their implications for music in schools as well as in daily life.
ME 472 Teaching/Learning:Urban Schools 3 Credits
This course offers students theoretical and practical insight into teaching in urban schools. The class will present an analysis and practical implications for what is needed in order to successfully engage in teaching in urban centers in the United States. Students will balance field experiences with critical analyses of issues such as multicultural teaching, race, class, and economics in urban schools as well as their curricular and pedagogical implications.
Prerequisite(s): ME 581, ME 582.
ME 490 Independent Research and Study 1-4 Credits
Students may pursue a special topic for which they have prepared through prior course work. Only one project may be scheduled in a semester. The project may involve 1-4 credit hours. Students may count up to a maximum of 18 independent study hours toward graduation. Approval of the faculty sponsor, department chair, and dean required prior to the first day of the semester in which the project is to be completed. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 required.
Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing.
ME 491 Kodaly Music Reading 2 Credits
ME 492 Student Teaching 12 Credits
A full semester internship in directed full-time teaching supervised by department members and carried out in schools with approved cooperating teachers. In addition to the field experience, students attend a weekly seminar on campus to discuss current issues in music education as they relate to individual teaching situations. Students discuss classroom management strategies, action research, authentic instruction, critical thinking, feeling and action as well as teaching to focused questions, concepts and objectives. Throughout student teaching, students maintain a digital portfolio that demonstrates how they meet the New Jersey State and INTASC teaching standards. At the conclusion of the semester, students attend a portfolio review with members of the Music Education faculty to assess the success of the teaching experience. Students must provide their own transportation to student teaching site. Student Teaching fee: $245. Fees for the Praxis Examination and Teacher Certification are additional. Additional information regarding student teaching may be found in the department's Student Teaching Handbook at www.rider.edu/musiced.
Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of B- in ME 564; Classification as a full senior; Satisfactory completion of music education courses numbered ME 161, ME 262, ME 563, ME 564, ME 187, ME 188, and either PSY 230 Child Developmental or PSY 231 Youth and Adolescent Development; Satisfactory completion of TH 241; For voice primary students, satisfaction of all requirements of PI 204; A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; Demonstrated aptitude, motivation and potential for success in teaching, as evidenced by the successful completion of portfolio reviews; Departmental approval; Students in the Master of Music Education (MME) degree program must take the following courses as prerequisites to student teaching; ME 563, ME 564, ME 725.
ME 499 Special Topics Music Education 2 Credits
The content of this course and the number of credits will vary with the special interests and qualifications of the professor teaching it.