School of Music
BM in Music Education
This degree program prepares students for careers in PK-12 school-based music teaching. Students completing this course of study are prepared to apply for state teacher certification in Maine and other states. Certification applications must be accompanied by scores from the Praxis I/Core Academic Skills for Educators national teacher exam that must be successfully completed during the sophomore year, and the Praxis II exam that must be taken prior to Professional Internship. Students are advised to meet with their advisor if they plan to seek teacher certification in states other than Maine.
As the field of music education requires a broad range of skills and competencies, students are required to complete substantial work in music theory, ear training, musicology, applied music, conducting, chamber music and ensembles, in addition to music education methods courses, field work and teaching internships. The music education curriculum reflects the full range of knowledge and skills required in current practice. All students complete a nearly identical curriculum with adjustments made to reflect the unique requirements of individualized areas of applied study (composition, vocal, and instrumental) identified during the audition process.
Program Requirements
All students are reminded that, in addition to meeting School requirements for a major leading to a baccalaureate degree, they must also meet the University's General Education requirements. The minimum number of credits required for the degree is 120.
Music CORE (33 credits) | Credits |
Music Theory and Aural Skills (16 credits) | |
MUT 110 Music Theory 1 | 3 |
MUT 111 Sight Singing and Aural Skills 1 | 1 |
MUT 112 Music Theory 2 | 3 |
MUT 113 Sight Singing and Aural Skills 2 | 1 |
MUT 210 Music Theory 3 | 3 |
MUT 211 Sight Singing and Aural Skills 3 | 1 |
MUT 212 Music Theory 4 | 3 |
MUT 213 Sight Singing and Aural Skills 4 | 1 |
Music History (9 credits) | |
MUH 105 Multi-Cultural Perspectives of American Popular Music and Jazz | 3 |
MUH 222 Music History Survey 1 | 3 |
MUH 223 Music History Survey 2 | 3 |
Functional Piano (4 credits) (keyboard players have substitute courses; see below) | |
MUS 150 Piano Class 1 | 1 |
MUS 151 Piano Class 2 | 1 |
MUS 250 Piano Class 3; Music Education Jazz Concentration majors may substitute MUS 252 Jazz Piano Class 1 | 1 |
MUS 251 Piano Class 4; Music Education Jazz Concentration majors may substitute MUS 253 Jazz Piano Class 2 | 1 |
Conducting (4 credits) | |
MUE 252 Choral Conducting | 2 |
MUE 313 Instrumental Conducting | 2 |
Applied Music (14 credits) | |
Classical performance in brass, guitar, percussion, piano, strings, voice, woodwinds (7 semesters) | |
MUS 440 Studio Class - Voice only (6 semesters) | 0-3 |
All voice students who are taking applied voice lessons as their primary instrument must take 6 semesters of MUS 440 Studio Class while studying applied voice. | |
Composition (7 semesters) | |
Jazz performance - bass, drums, guitar, saxophone, trumpet and trombone | |
Semesters 1 & 2 - classical focus | |
Semesters 3 - 7 - jazz focus | |
Jazz performance - piano | |
Semesters 1 & 2 - classical focus | |
Semesters 3 & 4 - 2 credits classical focus and 1 credit jazz focus each semester | |
Semesters 5 - 7 - jazz focus | |
Jazz performance - voice | |
Semester 1 - 2 credits classical | |
Semester 2 & 3- 1 credit classical & 1 credit jazz | |
Semesters 4 - 7 - jazz focus | |
MUP 491 Senior Recital | 0 |
MUS 442 Recital Class (7 semesters) | 0 |
Ensembles (7 credits) | |
Students must be enrolled in a primary ensemble during each semester of the program for a minimum of 7 semesters. Placements will be made at the discretion of the ensemble directors. | |
Requirements for students studying applied classical brass, percussion, string or woodwind performance: | |
Concert Band or Orchestra (7 semesters) | 3.5 |
Chorale or Chamber Singers (4 semesters) | 2 |
Chamber music (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Composer's Workshop (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Jazz large or chamber ensemble (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Requirements for students studying applied classical performance in voice: | |
Chorale or Chamber Singers (7 semesters) | 3.5 |
Concert Band or Orchestra (4 semesters) | 2 |
Chamber music (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Composer's Workshop (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Jazz large or chamber ensemble (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Requirements for students studying applied classical performance piano | |
Chorale or Chamber Singers (minimum of 4 semesters) | 2 |
Concert Band or Orchestra (minimum of 4 semesters) | 2 |
Chamber music (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Composer's Workshop (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Jazz large or chamber ensemble (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Any ensemble: chorale, chamber singers, concert band or orchestra (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Additional Requirements | |
MUS 360 Advanced Keyboard Skills | 2 |
MUS 372 Pedagogy of the Major Instrument (Piano) | 2 |
MUS 452 Accompanying (2 semesters) | 1 |
Requirements for students studying applied classical performance guitar | |
Chorale or Chamber Singers (minimum of 4 semesters) | 2 |
Concert Band or Orchestra (minimum of 4 semesters) | 2 |
Any ensemble: chorale, chamber singers, concert band, or orchestra (3 semesters) | 1.5 |
Chamber music (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Composer's Workshop (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Jazz large or chamber ensemble (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Requirements for students studying applied composition | |
Composer's Ensemble (7 semesters) | 3.5 |
Chorale or Chamber Singers (2 semesters) | 1 |
Concert Band or Orchestra (2 semesters) | 1 |
Chamber music (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Composer's Workshop (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Jazz large or chamber ensemble (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Requirements for students studying applied jazz | |
Jazz Ensembles (7 semesters) | 3.5 |
Chorale or Chamber Singers (2 semesters) | 1 |
Concert Band or Orchestra (2 semesters) | 1 |
Chamber music (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Composer's Workshop (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Large Jazz ensemble (1 semester) | 0.5 |
Additional Music Courses (variable) | |
MUE 110 ProSeminar I | 1 |
MUE 111 Professional Foundation for Music Education | 2 |
MUE 112 Percussion Techniques | 1 |
MUE 113 Vocal Techniques for Instrumentalists | 1 |
MUE 150 ProSeminar II | 1 |
MUE 210 ProSeminar III | 1 |
MUE 211 Teaching Creative and Critical Listening PK-12 | 2 |
MUE 250 ProSeminar IV | 1 |
MUE 251 Teaching Vocal Music PK-12 | 2 |
MUE 252 Choral Conducting | 2 |
MUE 253 Brass Techniques | 1 |
MUE 310 ProSeminar V | 1 |
MUE 311 Research and Evaluation in Music Education | 3 |
MUE 312 Teaching Instrumental Music PK-12 | 2 |
MUS 313 Instrumental Conducting | 2 |
MUE 314 Guitar Techniques | 1 |
MUE 350 ProSeminar VI | 1 |
MUE 351 Teaching Improvisation in Music PK-12 | 2 |
MUE 352 String Techniques | 1 |
MUE 353 Woodwind Techniques | 1 |
MUE 410 ProSeminar VII | 1 |
MUE 411 Teaching Music Composition PK-12 | 2 |
MUE 450 Professional Internship | 8 |
MUE 451 Professional Portfolio ( see above; should count in general education) | 4 |
MUS 374 Jazz Pedagogy - Music Education Jazz Concentration only | 2 |
Chamber Music (1 semester) | 0.5 |
See Ensembles, above | |
Jazz Ensemble (1 semester) | 0.5 |
See Ensembles, above | |
Composer's Ensemble (1 semester) | 0.5 |
See Ensembles, above | |
Music Electives - Varies by applied area | 0-4 |
Additional Non-music Courses (6 credits) | |
HRD/SBS 200 Multicultural Human Development | 3 |
SED 335 Students with Exceptionalities in General Education | 3 |
Jury Information
All music education majors will take a progress check jury at the end of each fall semester and a level jury at the end of each spring semester. Jury literature will be matched to the outlined applied study plan in their area. Jury level expectations are: Level I - earned at the conclusion of Semester 2; Level II - earned at the conclusion of Semester 4; Level III - earned at the conclusion of Semester 6. Jury Level III must be earned prior to the presentation of the Senior Recital.
Composition
All music education composition concentration students will complete composition juries as specified above. Additionally, students will complete a check jury in Semester 3 and a Jury Level I in Semester 4 on an instrument or voice.
Jazz Concentration
All music education jazz concentration students will complete composition juries as specified above. The specific level sequence will be: MUEJ Jury Level I (classical) at the end of Semester 2, MUEJ Jury Level II (jazz) at the end Semester 4, and MUEJ Jury Level III (jazz) at the end of Semester 6.
Strings
All music education majors specializing on a string instrument will complete juries as specified above. Additionally, the Jury Level III must include 75% of the Senior Recital repertory requirements and be performed with piano accompaniment (where appropriate).
Admission to Upper Division in Music Education
Upper division music courses are typically designated by course numbers in the 300 or 400 range.
In order to enroll in upper division music courses, a music student must:
- Earn a grade of C- or better in all MUS, MUH, MUT courses.*
- Earn a grade of B- or better in all MUE and MUP courses.*
- Earn a Level II on the applied music jury.
- Pass Praxis I/CASE.
- Successfully complete EYE (if required), College Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning Core courses.
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
*Note: These standards are in effect for all MUS, MUE, MUH, MUT, and MUP courses in both the lower and upper divisions of the program.
In March of the sophomore year students will complete the application for admission to Upper Division. This application and review are part of the advising process within ProSeminar IV. Students who fail to meet the above requirements may not enroll in upper division courses.
Recital Information
Senior recital requirements: Presentation of a solo recital in the senior year (or junior year with special permission). The recital contains 30 minutes of music including at least 25 minutes of solo performance; the remainder may be chamber music. Normally the program will be shared with another MUE senior or MUP junior recital. Programs exceeding 30 minutes of music require the special approval of the faculty. A student may not perform the required recital during the semester of Professional Internship.
Composition
In addition to the general recital language provided above, the senior recital for music education majors specializing in composition will meet the following requirements: the recital will consist of 30 minutes of original music for a variety of ensembles (at least 3) ranging from solo to large chamber group. The music featured on the recital must have been composed during the student’s time at USM.
Jazz Concentration
In addition to the general recital language provided above, the senior recital for music education majors specializing in jazz will consist of a minimum of 25 minutes of jazz repertoire. This repertoire shall demonstrate the student's skills at improvisation, composition/arranging, technical proficiency and musicianship.
Strings and Winds
In addition to the general recital language provided above, the senior recital for music education majors specializing in strings or winds will meet the following requirements: the recital must contain 30 minutes of music including at least 25 minutes of solo performance; the remainder may be chamber music. Students must present a range of pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles and genres, technical proficiency and musicianship. At least one work must be performed from memory. A pre-recital hearing two weeks prior to the degree recital must be passed before the student may present their recital.
The Professional Internship
This is a field-based student teaching experience. Students are placed with music educator mentors on a full-time basis in order to gain multiple guided and independent teaching experiences. In preparation for the Internship, students in music education must:
- Successfully complete all required coursework prior to the Internship;
- Successfully complete all performance juries and the recital prior to the Internship;
- Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above;
- Submit passing scores on the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills test (must be completed by the sophomore year);
- Submit passing scores on the Praxis II Music content exam; and
- Submit proof of successful completion of Maine Department of Education required fingerprinting and background check.
The Capstone Project for Music Education
This is the Professional Portfolio. The Professional Portfolio provides students with an opportunity to reflect upon their own growth and development in the teaching profession. The portfolio will include materials that demonstrate fulfillment of the USM Teacher Certification Standards. Upon completion, the Professional Portfolio is a document suitable for presentation and future reference.
The Professional Education Council, comprised of deans, department chairs, faculty, and school representatives from all programs offering initial teacher preparation, is the governing body for program review and evaluation for all initial-level teacher education programs at USM.
For the purposes of field placements in schools during the educational cluster and internship year, students are required to complete and show documentation of the fingerprinting process outlined by the Maine Department of Education: http://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/fingerprinting/
All students must formally declare their entry into a teacher certification concentration by completing the declaration procedures found on the Office of Educator Preparation web site at http://usm.maine.edu/educator-preparation. Passing Praxis I scores, subscription to Tk20, and two recommendation forms are necessary to complete the declaration process.
Tk20 Subscription:
All undergraduate and graduate students who matriculate into an Educator Preparation program or pathway in USM summer 2013 or later and are accepted as a candidate for their internship year are required to subscribe to the Tk20 online data management system once being accepted as a teacher education candidate and prior to their internship year. The subscription allows students to use the system for assessment, advisement, field-experience, and career portfolio management. The subscription fee covers some of the expenses related to the administration and assessment of the program. For loan purposes, it will be eligible for consideration as part of costs. The subscription is a one-time payment and must be made by each student after they have passed their candidacy process and before the first semester of their internship year. Subscription instructions are posted on the Office of Educator Preparation web site: http://usm.maine.edu/educator-preparation
Please note Professional Education Council Policy: In order for USM’s Education Preparation Unit program completers to be recommended by the institution to the state for certification or licensure, the candidate must provide evidence of meeting all certification requirements including proficiency on the standards relevant to his/her state approved professional program and this evidence must be compiled and assessed within the context of the Unit’s data management system (i.e., Tk20).