Music Education

This “arts foundations” course is an introduction to the common elements that all the arts, including art and design, music, and theater and dance share. The course introduces and explores critical topics including creative process, collaboration, and performance, as well as professional aspects of the arts including presentation of self and networking; it concludes with an exploration of each student’s personal path from training to a successful career in the arts.

Prerequisite for all SOA Capstone experiences. To be taken in the second year of study in the School of the Arts, this course builds on the ideas introduced in CTW 100 and looks more deeply at the creative process, collaboration, and artistic creation in all three arts areas. This course will also explore the varied paths artists follow in developing their own career paths, both within the Converse community and beyond.

Instruction of elementary and intermediate pupils by applied music majors in their principal field under faculty supervision. Includes methodology and materials for teaching.

A continuation of MUE

The study of careers as a pianist, necessary professional preparation, the history of piano pedagogy, and learning theory as applied to piano teaching. Observation of lessons and experiences in piano teaching required.

A survey and evaluation of contemporary beginner’s piano methods and the application of principles of Dalcroze eurhythmics to the teaching of rhythm. Observation of lessons and experiences in piano teaching required.

Modern Band is a music ensemble open to all students interested in learning to perform modern music in varying genres such as rock, folk, pop, country, rhythm & blues, hip hop, and more. Basic instruction of guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, singing, ukulele, and song writing is included. No experience necessary.

Required of all music education majors, to be taken repeatedly. This course is for music education majors to gain additional music education experiences through lectures, discussions, interactions, observations, guest speakers, and teaching experiences. Music education majors must pass a minimum of 4 semesters. Pass/fail grading. Offered Fall and Spring Terms.

Advisor approval required. This course is for music education majors to gain additional music education experiences through lectures, discussions, interactions, observations, guest speakers, and teaching experiences. This course is available if the student is short on practicum experience hours and must be taken in final semester before the student teaching experience. This course may be taken only once. Pass/fail grading Offered Fall and Spring Terms.

The philosophical, sociological, and psychological foundations of music education.

Beginning supervised teaching of elementary piano students. Includes the study of early intermediate literature for piano teaching.

Continued supervised teaching of elementary piano students. Additional study of intermediate literature for the piano, including practice techniques, learning styles, and related teaching styles, use of recordings in teaching, and recital and competition preparation for students.

Methods, materials, and practicum for teaching general music in the elementary school. 

For all music students who desire to open a private music studio. The study of studio management, pedagogical music publishing houses, organizations and competitions.

Acquisition of a basic working knowledge of all brass instruments. Includes methodology and materials for teaching. Offered in alternate years.

Acquisition of basic working knowledge of all percussion instruments. Includes methodology and materials for teaching. Offered in alternate years.

Acquisition of a basic working knowledge of all string instruments includes methodology and materials for teaching. Offered in alternate years.

Acquisition of a working knowledge of all woodwind instruments. Includes methodology and materials for teaching. Offered in alternate years.

The anatomy and physiology of the vocal instrument and application of that knowledge to teaching voice. Includes supervised teaching of beginning voice students.

A continuation of the study of the anatomy and physiology of the vocal instrument and application of that knowledge to teaching voice. Includes supervised teaching of beginning voice students.

A study of the fundamental principles of instrumental and choral conducting. Concentration on score reading.

Intermediate choral conducting skills. Includes score reading and conducting of choral ensembles.

Intermediate instrumental conducting skills. Includes score reading and conducting of instrumental ensembles.

The fundamentals of music needed to meet South Carolina certification requirements for classroom teachers. Includes basic notation, methodology for teaching music to elementary students, and methodology for using music to teach other subjects.

Methods, materials and practicum for teaching instrumental music.

Methods, materials and practicum for teaching choral music in grades K-12.

General Music in the Secondary School is a required methodology course in the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education degree with a concentration in general music, providing methods and materials for teaching traditional and non-traditional music courses in the middle and high school. This course requires a 40 hour practicum experience in a local public school.

General Music in the Secondary School is a required methodology course in the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education degree with a concentration in general music, providing methods and materials for teaching traditional and non-traditional music courses in the middle and high school.

No practicum.

A supervised internship which provides music majors with the opportunity to explore an external area of interest related to Music Education or Pedagogy. The course will serve as a music elective or a free elective in the student’s degree program. Pass/fail grading.

Beginning in Fall 2017, in order to be placed for student teaching, teacher candidates must pass the state required PRAXIS II exams in the area of student teaching. The student teaching of music in the public schools under the supervision of a music faculty member. This course includes a weekly seminar and conferences with the supervising professor and the cooperating teacher. Discussions and criticisms accompany the elementary and/or secondary school observation and teaching. A minimum of 12 weeks of directed teaching is required for certification. Students must comply with all South Carolina State Department of Education requirements before student teaching. Those requirements may be obtained from advisors, program directors and education department personnel. The State Department website is http://ed.sc.gov. Pass/fail grading. Offered Fall and Spring Terms. Special fee. Meets the GEP capstone.

Projects of independent study approved by the faculty and the Music Curriculum Committee.

Requirement for the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. Offered Fall Term. Pass/Fail grading.

An optional Senior Thesis for Education. The thesis topic must be approved in advance by the student’s major professor and the Music Curriculum Committee.